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4/30/2026
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Rep. O’Brien supports legislation that bans creating or expanding charter schools
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STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien is fully supporting legislation that would ban the expansion or creation of additional charter school capacity in Rhode Island. He notes that the bill would save North Providence taxpayers significant dollars.
“The simple fact is that charter schools take away crucial dollars from our public-school students. While I am sympathetic to those that charter schools have helped, expanding or creating new charter schools will have a negative financial impact to each and every resident of North Providence. I fully support this legislation that will protect North Providence taxpayers and students from being further hurt by the loss of funding to charter schools,” said Representative O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
“Every budget season, it is a challenge to make up for the loss of funding that goes to current charter schools, so the idea of creating new or expanding existing charter schools comes with the reality that North Providence’s budget will be further stressed. This legislation will prevent future damage to North Providence taxpayers and students, and I fully support its passage,” said North Providence Town Council President Dino Autiello.
The bill (2026-H 7415), sponsored by Rep. Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62, Pawtucket), would prevent the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education from granting preliminary approval or final approval for the creation or expansion of any district charter school, independent charter school or mayoral academy charter school beginning operations in the 2026-2027, 2027-2028 or 2028-2029 school years.
The legislation would also prevent the state from approving or appropriating funding to any new charter school or to expand an existing charter school that has not been approved by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education prior to July 1, 2025.
The legislation is currently before the House Education Committee.
For more information, contact:
Andrew Caruolo, Publicist
State House Room 20
Providence, RI 02903
(401)222-6124
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