Rep. Bill O'Brien

Rep. O’Brien supports legislation to ban new or expanding charter schools

STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien will be supporting and voting for legislation that would ban creating new, or expanding current, charter schools when the full House of Representatives considers the bill on June 10.
“This is an important bill for North Providence because it will directly increase the amount of money needed for our schools. It will redirect $2 million to North Providence schools where it can be better used to prepare our students for the future. Charter schools do help some students, but it cannot be at the expense of the majority of North Providence students and I look forward to voting in favor of this legislation,” said Representative O’Brien(D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
The legislation (2026-H 7415A), sponsored by Rep. Mary Duffy Messier (D-Dist. 62, Pawtucket), would prevent the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education from granting preliminary approval or final approval for the creation or expansion of any district charter school, independent charter school or mayoral academy charter school beginning operations in the 2026-2027, 2027-2028, or 2028-2029 school years.
The bill would also prevent the state from approving or appropriating funding to any new charter school or to expand an existing charter school that has not been approved by the Council on Elementary and Secondary Education prior to July 01, 2025, for fiscal year 2026-2027, fiscal year 2027-2028, or fiscal year 2028-2028.

Rep. O’Brien highlights increased funding to North Providence in FY 27 state budget

​STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien is happy to report that North Providence will see a substantial funding increase within the new state budget. Representative O’Brien is a member of the House Finance Committee and he had a significant role in securing additional funding for the town.
​“As a member of the House Finance Committee, I have been advocating and fighting for North Providence’s best interests throughout budget negotiations. Like so many other communities across the state, North Providence is struggling financially, so this increased funding for the town will prove to be very beneficial for our residents,” said Representative O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
“Throughout this year’s budget process, I have been in constant communication with Representative O’Brien about what the town needs within the new state budget. I thank him for his efforts and I am pleased that the people of North Providence will receive the increased funding and support that they need and deserve within the amended state budget,” said North Providence Town Council President Dino Autiello.
​Within the fiscal year 2027 amended budget (2026-H 7127A), North Providence will receive:
• An increase of almost $200,000 more than what the governor proposed in municipal aid funds, which includes the car tax phase out and distressed community aid, for a total of $12,091,530.
• An increase of $657,000 more than what the governor proposed in education funding for a total of $33,245,398 to North Providence schools.
• An increase of $843,496 for high-cost special education aid.
• An increase of almost $10,000 than what the governor proposed for library aid.
​“North Providence residents deserve to be properly supported and funded at the state level, and this budget will help our taxpayers, students, families, workers and seniors during these uncertain financial times. I am proud to have delivered for the people of North Providence and I will continue to be a fighter for them up at the State House,” concluded Representative O’Brien.

Rep. William O’Brien announces reelection campaign

NORTH PROVIDENCE, RI – State Representative William W. O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence) has officially announced that is he running for reelection to the Rhode Island House of Representatives, pledging to continue fighting for working families, better educational opportunities, and stronger communities.
“My parents worked incredibly hard so my siblings and I could have good opportunities. They chose to raise us in North Providence for the same reason I am proud to live here: this is a wonderful community where people look out for each other. It has been the honor of my life to serve the town I love.”
Rep. O’Brien has served the residents of North Providence in District 54 since first being elected in November 2012.
One of Rep. O’Brien’s top priorities has been improving the quality and affordability of public education. He successfully sponsored a law to create dual education programs at Rhode Island high schools, enabling students to enroll at a college or university and earn credits for both high school and college. Since the program’s inception, more than 65 students have completed North Providence’s Pathways in Technology Early College High School (P-TECH) program, gaining valuable hands-on experience while significantly saving on higher education costs.
Rep. O’Brien is a 1987 graduate with honors from North Providence High School and graduated cm laude with a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Rhode Island College in 1991. He later studied at Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, and Florida International University. He served in the Peace Corps in South Africa from 1998 to 2000 and was a North Providence Jets youth football coach for 12 years.
Rep. O'Brien was a math teacher in the Providence public school system for 20 years and currently serves as a truancy officer there.

In honor of the brave soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Happy Memorial Day. I am getting ready for the Memorial Day parade in North Providence.

The team Union Strong secured a victory tonight, winning control of the Providence Teachers Union with 46% of the vote across all positions. Thank you to everyone who turned out!

Rep. O’Brien’s bills support public schools and teachers

​STATE HOUSE – Rep. William W. O’Brien, an unwavering supporter of Rhode Island’s public schools and teachers, is calling attention to his five-bill legislative package that aims to strengthen and support Rhode Island’s public school system. His five-bill legislative package aims to strengthen and support Rhode Island’s public school system.
​“Our public schools are facing significant challenges, particularly a troubling shortage of qualified teachers. This critical issue will negatively impact current and future students if this problem is not solved, and a major cause of why Rhode Island has a teacher shortage is the pension system that’s offered. These bills will correct this issue, bring our state more in-line with our neighbors, and significantly help retain and attract desperately needed teachers for our students,” said Representative O’Brien (D-Dist. 54, North Providence).
​The following bills are part of Representative O’Brien’s public school legislative package:
• 2026-H 7160 would allow teachers and state and municipal employees to retire when they have at least 28 years of active service and their retirement age, when combined with the number of their years of service reaches, the 85.
• 2026-H 7391 would reinstate, for all teachers and state employees who retired after July 1, 2012, their annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retirement plan year 2026.
• 2026-H 7614 would provide that for the period up until July 1, 2027, an applicant for a teaching certificate in Rhode Island would not be required to complete a standardized teacher’s examination as a prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate.
• 2026-H 7728 would allow emergency preliminary certificates for teaching to be issued for up to a total of five school years.
• 2026-H 8170 would restore the rights of school administrators and staff members, who have retired to exceed the 90-day cap on post-retirement employment and work up to 180 days during a school year.
“Our kids deserve to have the best quality education, but this is only possible if we have enough teachers to educate our students. We must make changes to the current system or risk further and more disastrous teacher shortages in the future. Our kids deserve better, our teachers deserve better and I will continue to fight to ensure that our teachers have the support they need so that our students can be properly prepared for future successful lives,” concluded Representative O’Brien.

A state citation was presented to Woodley Benoit, eleventh-grade student at Mount Pleasant High School, and his art teacher, Carolyne Kellner, in acknowledgement of Woodley's Honorable Mention in Senator Jack Reed's annual art competition.