State Education Aid / Funding Formula

The state of Rhode Island provides direct financial support to public schools and public school students through state aid. 

Currently, state aid consists of:

• formula aid distributed to LEAs, including school districts and charter schools;
• categorical funding outside of the distributed aid; and
• funds distributed to districts once a year for specific purposes, e.g., a per pupil amount to each school district for each group home bed licensed in the district, reimbursements for providing textbooks to non-public schools and a partial subsidy for school breakfast meals served.

Funding Formula Reference Guide (Spring 2018)

School Resource Officer State Categorical Funding

The FY20 State Enacted Budget includes $1.0 million for a voluntary program to support the hiring of school resource officers at public middle and high schools across the state. School districts/schools or municipalities would receive reimbursements equal to one-half of the total position cost for each new officer hired, for a period of up to three years. This funding is only available for new school resource officer positions established on or after July 1, 2018. Schools that already employ school resource officers are not eligible for the funding unless they are below the enrollment thresholds specified in statute (currently have more than 1,200 students and one or fewer school resource officers).

Important information:

• Funding Application Instructions
• Sample MOU Completed between LEA and Town/City Council
• Sample Officer Job Description
• SRO Funding Plan, Assurance, and B1 Form