Pearson to lead task force to study state education formula

PROVIDENCE — Sen. Ryan W. Pearson, D-Dist. 19, Cumberland and Lincoln, has been appointed by Senate President Dominick J. Ruggerio, D-Dist. 4, North Providence and Providence, to chair a special task force charged with studying the state’s education funding formula.

The panel’s work will include comprehensive study of the funding formula and writing a report on its findings and recommendations to be submitted to the Senate at the beginning of its upcoming session in January.

“We want to take a close look at the state’s funding formula to see whether it’s meeting the needs of students, schools and taxpayers,” Senator Pearson, who had introduced the resolution creating the nine-member task force, said of the charge.

“All children should have a meaningful education regardless of economic means, and the funding formula should treat all taxpayers equitably,” Pearson said.

“We want to make sure the formula reflects the needs of students, and provides stable and predictable funding while correcting any inequities,” Pearson added.

Also serving on the commission will be Senators Sandra Cano, D-Dist. 8, Pawtucket, Louis P. DiPalma, D-Dist. 12, Middletown, Newport, Tiverton, and Little Compton, Harold M. Metts, D-Dist. 6, Providence, Melissa A. Murray, D-Dist. 24, Woonsocket and North Smithfield, Thomas J. Paolino, R-Dist. 17, Lincoln, North Providence and North Smithfield, Gordon E. Rogers, R-Dist. 21, Foster, Scituate, Coventry, and West Greenwich, Adam J. Satchell, D-Dist. 9, West Warwick, and James A. Seveney, D-Dist. 11, Bristol, Portsmouth and Tiverton.

Sen. William J. Conley Jr., D-Dist. 18, East Providence and Pawtucket, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Sen. Hanna M. Gallo, D-Dist. 27, Cranston and West Warwick, chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, will serve as members ex-officio.