R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-9.3-8: Request for negotiation or bargaining.

Whenever salary or other matters requiring appropriation of money by any city, town, or regional school district are to be included as a matter of negotiation or collective bargaining conducted under the provisions of this chapter, the negotiating or bargaining agent must first serve written notice of request for negotiating or collective bargaining on the school committee at least one hundred forty (140) days before the last day on which money can be appropriated by the city or town to cover the first year of the contract period which is the subject of the negotiating or bargaining procedure, and the time limit shall be strictly adhered to and shall not be waived. A copy of the written notice of request for negotiating or collective bargaining shall be sent to the director of labor and training.