Rhode Island Gov. McKee Sign Charter School Moratorium Bill

Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee has signed a charter school moratorium bill.

The new law puts a three-year-moratorium on charter schools, limits state funding for new or expanded charter schools through fiscal year 2029 and reduces the statutory cap on charter schools from 35 to 28.

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"In deciding to sign this legislation, I had to consider the reality that our school communities are facing significant challenges," McKee said in a memo.

"Declining student enrollment has resulted in over 10,000 fewer students in the public education system since 2021, creating financial pressures for municipalities and school districts across our state," McKee said. "These difficult conditions require careful consideration, especially as the state evaluates proposals for changing the funding formula."

The temporary moratorium provides time for those evaluations "while focusing on strengthening the schools already serving Rhode Island students, including an evaluation of existing charter schools," the governor said.

"I will not allow this legislation to serve as a retreat from innovation or from reaching the goals we have set," McKee said. "Instead, we will treat it as a chance for the state to evaluate declining enrollment and the funding formula while preserving the flexibility for future charter growth."

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