R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-94-2: Definitions.

The following words and phrases when used in this chapter shall have the following meaning given to them unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) “Board of regents” means the board of regents for elementary and secondary education.

(2) “Department” means the Rhode Island department of elementary and secondary education.

(3) “Public schools” means all public schools of any city or town in the state. The term also includes all public charter and/or vocational schools.

(4) “School district” means any public school district, school unit, area-vocational-technical school, or charter school that composes a school district; the term also encompasses a single high school or multiple high schools within a school district where applicable.