Newport School Committee v. Rhode Island Department of Education

Summary

The Supreme Court held that Rhode Island statutes do not require municipalities to reimburse the Department of Children, Youth, and Families at the per‑pupil special‑education rate when no special‑education services are actually provided, and that the trial justice erred in finding an obligation to pay the per‑pupil general‑education rate after the legislature removed that reference. The Court remanded for supplemental briefing on the appropriate reimbursement, if any, for non‑special‑education students placed in residential treatment programs.