Statutes, Regulations, and Guidance

Here you will find detailed information on the statutes, regulations, and guidelines governing working with the School Building Authority at RIDE.

Statutes

Minority Business Enterprise Requirements - 

Pursuant to RIGL 16-7-41.1 (Housing Aid eligibility for reimbursement), all projects must comply with RIGL 37-14.1-6, ensuring that minority business enterprises (MBE) reach a minimum of ten percent (10%) of the dollar value of the bid.  The MBE participation requirement is applicable to the entire project inclusive of design, engineering, owner’s project manager services, construction management services, and general contracting/construction services.  LEAs are strongly encouraged to meet with the Division of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (DEDI), Minority Business Enterprise Compliance Office early on during the development of a project in order to provide an overview of the project details, to gain an understanding of the MBE program including the review and approval process, and to ensure the incorporation of MBE requirements and pertinent language in all applicable documents.  Additionally, to ensure compliance, it is recommended that LEAs send project request for proposals directly to the Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion to help amplify solicitations to MBE vendors. Please reach out to Tomas Avila, Associate Director of DEDI further information – (401) 222-6397 or at tomas.avila@doa.ri.gov.

Minority Business Enterprise Presentation 

Legislative Changes to School Construction (effective 7/1/18)

The Governor and the General Assembly recently passed a State budget that includes substantial changes to the oversight, management, and funding of public school construction.  With the passage of Article 9 from the State Budget, the School Building Authority plans to collaborate closely with LEAs and municipalities to ensure that every school district sees meaningful improvements to the condition of its public school buildings over the next five years. The changes include annual maintenance expenditure requirements, housing aid bonus incentives, and additional housing aid eligibility requirements.  For detailed information about the enacted changes, please see RIDE's Legislative Changes to School Construction Document. 

The following changes are effective July 1, 2018 unless otherwise noted:

  1. Annual Maintenance Expenditure Requirements
  2. New and Temporary Housing Aid Bonuses. Temporary bonuses are contingent on the passage of a $250M bond in November 2018.
  3. Computation of Housing Aid
  4. Eligibility of Reimbursement Requirements
  5. Prequalification and Review Process for Prime Contractors, Architects and Engineers. Effective July 1, 2019.
  6. Public School Construction Progress Reports
  7. $250M School Construction Bond. Contingent on voter approval in November 2018. Funding shall be offered proportionally to LEAs based on the total state share of foundation housing aid awarded to projects in that year. 

School Construction Regulations

The School Construction Program is governed by the School Construction Regulations (SCR), adopted by the Board of Regents in 2007. The SCR sets standards for design and construction of school facilities, in order to assist schools and districts in providing the quality learning environment necessary for children to perform at higher levels.

Northeast Collaborative of High Performing Schools (NECHPS)

As part of the School Construction Regulations, projects shall comply with all requirements set forth in the most recent NECHPS protocol so that approved projects provide high quality learning environments, conserve natural resources, consume less energy, are easier to maintain, and provide an enhanced school facility.

School Closing Information

A district must notify RIDE in writing six month prior to the sale, lease, demolition, or other removal from service of any school facility in the district’s jurisdiction by completing the school closing form. In the event of a proposed closure, a district shall inform neighboring LEAs of the proposed action in the event that an LEA may wish to acquire the building for its own use.

If the building has received school construction payments (housing aid) from RIDE, and has not remained in service for 50 years, RIDE may recapture at its discretion a portion of the housing aid reimbursement.

School Closure Form

Public Schoolhouse Assessment (2013)

This report evaluates the capacities and building conditions in Rhode Island schools to help the Board of Regents of Elementary and Secondary Education determine the necessity of school construction and to foster statewide uniformity in school building quality. The report is based on data the Rhode Island Department of Education (RIDE) gathered for school year 2011–12.

Emergency Approval: Immediate Health and Safety

Related Documents & Links