Newport School Committee v. Rhode Island Department of Education; Cumberland School Committee v. Rhode Island…

Summary

The Supreme Court of Rhode Island held that the trial justice erred in finding that municipalities must reimburse the Department of Children, Youth, and Families at the per‑pupil general‑education rate for children placed in residential treatment programs who did not receive special‑education services. The Court applied a de novo plain‑meaning analysis, noting that the 2001 amendment removed any reference to general‑education costs, and therefore quashed the Superior Court’s decision and remanded the case.