RI Supreme Court lets municipalities off the hook for cost of some students in residential care

By: Janine L. Weisman

Outlets: Rhode Island Current

Published: February 24, 2026

Words: 1,288

Last Updated: 2 weeks, 2 days ago

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A recent Rhode Island Supreme Court decision in favor of Cumberland and Newport over the cost of educating certain youth in custody of the state’s child welfare agency in residential treatment programs impacts school districts statewide.

The high court’s 3-1 ruling issued Feb. 3 ended a seven-year dispute with officials at the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF) and the Department of Education (RIDE). At issue was the interpretation of a state law …

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