Rhode Island Bill Would Slash School Districts To 4 From 47

There are currently 47 public school districts in the state. Under proposed the "One State, Four District" act, that number would fall dramatically. Senate Education Committee members debated the bill Wednesday night.

"Rhode Island's small geographic size in comparison to the other 49 states is an asset which the state can utilize to its advantage in regard to education," the bill reads in part. "Consolidation of the state's school districts as proposed in this one state four districts act would allow the state to mobilize the state's limited resources in a way that would optimize the educational opportunities offered by our state."

If the bill is passed, the change would go into place in August 2022. School districts would be sorted by county, with Newport and Bristol combined into one. The remaining counties, Kent, Washington and Providence would each be their own district. All districts would be overseen by the statewide council on elementary and secondary education, who will negotiate teacher salaries and contracts for healthcare.

Under the law, each community would be allowed to continue to have individual school committees for day-to-day operations and any else not covered by the statewide council.