R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-4-5
The income from the fund is appropriated to be used for the promotion and support of public education. The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may adopt rules and regulations for the expenditure of these funds. In expending the income the board shall first consider public school improvement projects and programs whose effects could benefit the public schools of any one or more city, town, or school district in the state. The commissioner of elementary and secondary education shall regularly make recommendations to the board about specific programs and projects to be supported by these funds and the general assembly may make appropriations from the fund principal for educational purposes. Whenever any funds are appropriated for educational purposes, the funds shall be used for educational purposes only and all these state funds must be used to supplement any and all money allocated by a city or town for educational purposes and, in no event, shall state funds be used to supplant, directly or indirectly, any money allocated by a city or town for educational purposes. The commissioner shall oversee the fund, assess the effectiveness of its programs and projects, and make recommendations about the general use and operation of the funds to the board. For the purposes of this section the general treasurer shall continue to hold, subject to expenditure by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, any part of the income of the fund unexpended.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 16-4-5