2009 Rhode Island Code
Title 16 - Education
CHAPTER 16-60 - Board of Regents for Elementary and Secondary Education
§ 16-60-1 - Board established.

SECTION 16-60-1

   § 16-60-1  Board established. – (a) There is created a board of regents for elementary and secondary education sometimes referred to as the "regents" or the "board of regents," which shall be and is constituted a public corporation, empowered to sue and be sued in its own name, to have a corporate seal, and to exercise all the powers, in addition to those specifically enumerated in this chapter, usually appertaining to public corporations entrusted with control of elementary and secondary education institutions and functions. The regents shall be protected from sudden changes in membership and reversal of policy by having staggered terms for its public members.

   (b) Upon its organization the board of regents shall be invested with the legal title (in trust for the state) to all property, real and personal, now owned by and/or under the control or in the custody of the board of regents for education for the use of the department of elementary and secondary education. The board of regents is made successor to all powers, rights, duties, and privileges pertaining to elementary and secondary education.

   (c) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education shall consist of nine (9) members as follows: Eight (8) public members appointed pursuant to the terms of § 16-60-2 and a member of the board of governors for higher education designated by the governor. Five (5) voting members of the board shall constitute a quorum and the vote of a majority vote of those present and voting shall be required for action.

   The public members of the board of regents shall not be compensated for service in attending meetings or duly organized subcommittee meetings of the board at which business is transacted.

   (d) The governor shall designate one of the public members as chairperson of the board of regents. The board may elect from among its members such other officers as it deems necessary.