I have good news. Something interesting is happening in this year’s races for School Committee and City Council.
I first realized this at the School Committee forum. Two candidates stood apart from the others in their opening remarks. Mr. Leary has served this city selflessly for a long time, but in his opening he appeared out of touch, and he never reversed that impression. Mr. Hourihan stated in his opening that he was running to keep men out of women’s sports. OK — that’s his view — but in subsequent remarks he was unprepared to discuss the many urgent issues that actually face the School Committee in this moment.
Fortunately there are seven other candidates to fill the seven positions. The good news is we saw a thoughtful and constructive dialog among those seven, thanks to the novel rule that the League of Women Voters introduced, allowing candidates to use a 30-second “wild card” to add comments when they wished.
Of those seven, five are running on a slate together, led by Kendra Wilson Muenter. Kendra is smart, competent, compassionate, and well-versed in the current issues facing the School Committee. And make no mistake, they are many: hiring a new superintendent; dealing with the fallout from last year’s tragic bullying event; concerns about attendance and student safety with increased ICE activity a constant threat; and not least of these, student performance.
Many of us are deeply weary of the divisiveness of national politics. Yet, as I drove home I began to feel what it would be like to have a functional School Committee. Government that works — that was what I saw on the stage at the forum.
We so badly need a School Committee that tackles the issues before us. I can easily see such a committee led by Kendra Wilson Muenter. She is a wonder woman. I don’t use the term lightly. She’s been a passionate advocate for the schools, with a daughter who will graduate from Rogers in June. She’s been employed with J/Boats for over 30 years and is the only employee who isn’t a member of the family, which tells me she is valued for her competence. She’s responsible for the company’s presentations at two massive boat shows held during election season, in Newport and Annapolis. And I know of her capabilities personally because she’s been chair of the Newport Democrats for the past year while I serve as her vice chair. She is easy to work with, leads effortlessly, and gets stuff done.
Those who are running in alignment with her present an interesting array of skills and talent. Liz Barron is a school psychologist. Carrie Cassady is a sixth grade science teacher. Penny Hunt comes from the banking world with expertise in the labyrinth of affordable housing. Amy Yozura is a sales executive in private aviation and mother of two in the Newport Public Schools.
Together I foresee these women leading thoughtful discussions focused on the goal of improving our schools and our students’ performance. They have my endorsement and I hope they will have your vote.
Susan Taylor
Newport
Editor’s note: Susan Taylor is vice chair of the Newport Democratic City Committee. Kendra Wilson Muenter, whom she endorses, is chair of that committee. Barron, Cassady, Hunt, Wilson Muenter and Yozura are candidates for Newport School Committee in the Nov. 3 general election. What’sUpNewp has offered equivalent space to all candidates in this race.
What’sUpNewp welcomes letters to the editor and op-eds from our readers, including from candidates and their supporters. Submissions should include the writer’s full name and city or town of residence, and may be edited for length, clarity, and style. The views expressed are the writer’s own and do not reflect the views of What’sUpNewp, which does not endorse candidates or ballot questions. We publish submissions on the same terms. Election-related submissions must be received by Oct. 30 to run before the Nov. 3 general election. Send submissions to ryan@whatsupnewp.com.
The post Op-Ed: What a functional School Committee could look like appeared first on What's Up Newp.
