To the Editor:

Well, the results from the primary election are in and we’re on to November! There are too many to thank for this, but I’m obligated to give it a shot.

I need to thank all of you who supported me with your votes, held signs at the polls, placed signs on your property, did literature drops, and shared my message with your family and friends by so generously giving of your time and talent! There are too many of you to name, but you know who you are and I’m incredibly appreciative to each and every one of you.  Words can’t adequately express my gratitude and it goes without saying that I’m humbled by the level of trust you’ve placed in me.

In addition, I need to thank my wonderful daughters, Julia, Georgia, and Abbey, for their support through the primary, helping the campaign whenever possible, and for their patience and understanding of the craziness of late family suppers, and the occasional “you’re on your own for supper tonight, kids”! But most of all, I need to especially thank my wife Laura - my manager, adviser, second conscience, and of course, media-maven! None of this could have happened without her.

But now the really hard work starts. November will come quickly and I am committed to getting out there into the entire Warwick community to tell my story and share my plan to make our schools the best that they can be.

This School Committee election is critically important. Elections matter and elections sometimes have consequences but good schools and good communities go hand in hand. In November, we need to elect an experienced and committed person who has been involved in, and advocated for, our schools and our students for over a decade. We need to elect the candidate who has the business experience of managing budgets, leading teams, and who has the temperament and ability to work with all parties, and who can walk in on Day 1 with a good historical knowledge of the district, the issues it faces, and a vision of how good it can be. We need to elect the only candidate whose kids have been through both the elementary and secondary levels. We need to elect the candidate who has had experience in AP to IEP to 504.  Our kids, teachers, and community deserve nothing less because for far too long, we have been stagnant and that just can’t continue. I believe that I am that candidate.

Together, I believe we can get this done. It won’t be easy, or quick, but we will get it done.

Thank you.

David Testa

Committee at-Large