Senate approves emergency measure allowing Foster‑Gloucester regional school district to hold March 24 financial town meeting

The Rhode Island Senate on March 17 unanimously passed S 3051, an emergency local act authorizing the Foster‑Gloucester Regional School District to hold its district financial town meeting on March 24 at 7 p.m.

Senator Dela Cruz, sponsor of the bill, said the measure amends the existing authorization for the regional district and must be treated as an emergency for next week’s meeting. "So next week, this is of the essence," she said, adding that the proposal is supported by the Foster‑Gloucester Regional School Committee and warning that, if the change does not pass, "there will be no school in Foster Gloucester." The motion for passage was made by Senator Dela Cruz and seconded on the floor.

The clerk reported 32 votes in the affirmative and zero in the negative; the presiding officer declared the act passed. The bill as presented makes a one‑time scheduling change for the district’s financial town meeting this year; further details about any permanent statutory changes were not specified on the floor.

The measure was advanced under emergency procedures so the district can hold the meeting next week. The Senate referred no amendments on the floor and recorded the final affirmative tally as 32–0. The clerk will transmit the enrolled act in accordance with regular legislative practice.