Rhode Island General Laws Title 16. Education § 16-77-2.1. Definitions

(1) “ District charter schools” means schools created by existing public schools, groups of public school personnel, public school districts, or a group of school districts.

(2) “ Independent charter schools” means schools created by: (i) Rhode Island nonprofit organizations provided that these nonprofit organizations shall have existed for at least two (2) years and must exist for a substantial reason other than to operate a school; or (ii) Colleges or universities within the State of Rhode Island.

(3) “ Mayoral academies” means schools created by a mayor of any city or town within the State of Rhode Island, acting by or through a nonprofit organization (regardless of the time said nonprofit organization is in existence) to establish a mayoral academy as hereinafter described in chapter 16-77.4 (“Mayoral Academies”). For purposes of this chapter the term “ mayor” shall include any elected town administrator.

(4) “ Charter public schools” means district charter schools, independent charter schools, or mayoral academies.

(5) “ Board of regents” means the Rhode Island board of regents for elementary and secondary education.

(6) “ Commissioner” means the Rhode Island commissioner of elementary and secondary education.

(7) “ Sending school district” means the district where the student attending or planning to attend a charter public school resides.