LETTERS

We the people … elect the School Committee

Posted 10/6/15

To the Editor:

I find the recent article “Councilman eyes doing away with elective school committee” in the September 17 edition of the Beacon to be very concerning. I also find the recent …

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LETTERS

We the people … elect the School Committee

Posted

To the Editor:

I find the recent article “Councilman eyes doing away with elective school committee” in the September 17 edition of the Beacon to be very concerning. I also find the recent discourse in the community regarding the Warwick School Committee rather frustrating. The at times, tumultuous relationship between the City Council and School Committee is well documented. These two elected bodies have clashed many times over the years on subject matter including teacher contracts, school consolidation, and disciplinary decisions. Warwick’s citizens should be pleased that these two elected bodies are actively engaged in these important matters. Warwick’s citizens should be concerned that these two elected bodies have become so embedded in a power struggle that they are forgetting about those who have elected them to serve.

The beauty of the Council and the School Committee is that they are voted for by the people, for the people. Both entities have different views on how Warwick should proceed and that’s okay. What is not okay is stripping the voters of the right to elect members of the School Committee. When voters elect these members they are held accountable to the people. The Warwick School Department is perhaps the most important department in our local government and there are many citizens that are actively engaged in matters relevant to it. It should be up to the voters to elect members to the school committee.

The Warwick School Committee is a body elected by the people. Any voter that is displeased with the job members are doing should take action in the voting booth. We elect its members and We have the ability to bring about change by removing members that have lost sight of how they got their position and why they were elected to serve. There are some great people that have done great work on the School Committee that is sometimes overshadowed by the poor decisions made by others. A letter to the editor last week suggested that a Committee member asked for a voter to “not vote for me during my next election in 2017.” If the circumstances described by the writer are true, I find that response deplorable and would encourage said member to consider not running in 2017.

After a challenging preliminary search, it appears the School Committee and other stakeholders have worked together pragmatically to choose a great new leader in Dr. Philip Thornton. This collaboration exemplifies what can be accomplished when all parties work together. I am grateful to William Holland for his service and remain impressed with the sense of calm and order that took hold during his tenure. His ability to work with all parties as interim superintendent perfectly illustrates the type of collaboration we need from the School Committee and the City Council. 

Ryan J. Crowley

Warwick

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