Rhode Island General Laws Title 16. Education § 16-2-15.1. Pawtucket school committee--Abandonment, closing, reopening, or acquisition of school buildings--Public hearings

The school committee of the city of Pawtucket, whenever it shall deem it necessary to abandon or close an existing school building for a period of more than six (6) months or acquire or reopen a new school building, by either the purchase or lease of real property, shall conduct a public hearing within the city of Pawtucket for the purpose of addressing the issues of the desirability and necessity for the abandonment, closing, reopening, or acquisition, the reassignment of displaced students to other public education facilities, and the transportation of the displaced students. Any hearing shall be held on a date no more than six (6) months nor less than forty-five (45) days before the date of any abandonment, closing, reopening, or acquisition. The school committee shall give notice of the public hearing specifying the time and place of the hearing by publication of the notice in a newspaper of general circulation within the city of Pawtucket at least two (2) weeks and not more than four (4) weeks prior to the date of the hearing. At the hearing, opportunity shall be given residents of the city interested to be heard upon the proposed abandonment, closing, reopening, or acquisition and other related matters, including the reasonable opportunity to submit written or oral questions to the school committee.