All five candidates for the Portsmouth School Committee responded to the questionnaire sent two weeks ago, and their answers follow, unedited other than punctuation and proofreading changes. For three candidates, I asked clarifying questions, and those are included as well.

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TERRI CORTVRIEND (D)
School Committee — incumbent
1. Why should the voters of Portsmouth elect you to the Town Council/School Committee?
I have proven myself to be a dedicated board member participating fully in all of the undertakings of the board over the past four years. I would now bring the benefits of that experience to the table for a second term. I am a parent of a student at PHS. My initial motivation for running four years ago was that I thought that parents were underrepresented on the committee. I am also the owner of a Portsmouth business. I consider myself a true stakeholder in the health of this town.

2. Describe 3 things you have done in the past to support the Town/Schools.
The school committee has accomplished much over the past four years. When I was elected in 2004, the bond for the new gym was also passed, so orchestrating the successful construction of the gym was the first major project of the newly elected school committee. I have been on both the subcommittees responsible for construction of the gym and ongoing phase II completion of the fitness center.

[School Committee Chair] Sylvia Wedge and I began the fundraising efforts with the brick sale which she and I have personally administered. This project will hopefully come to its conclusion in the immediate future with the installation of the bricks in the walkway leading up to our new gymnasium.

Shortly into the first year of my term, we learned that Superintendent Tim Ryan would be leaving his position and that we would be charged with finding his replacement. It is my belief that this is the most important role of the school committee. I sat on the selection committee that resulted in the hiring of Dr. Lusi. I believe this was the most significant accomplishments of that school committee and I am very proud of my role in the process.

3a. You are running as a Democrat — Why? What is the importance or impact of this affiliation?
While I could never call myself a Republican, I have seen little need for political party affiliations on the school committee. I would support the committee being a non-political body as I believe it is in other towns. Fortunately, there has been very little party politics in the current membership of the board. From my perspective, the board has established a set of goals that we all can support no matter what our political affiliations are.

4. If you were to be elected, what would success look like after your term?
We will be able to creatively deal with shrinking budget increases and continue to have high-performing schools in terms of our teaching and learning

We will have addressed and enacted a plan to deal with the many existing deficiencies in the physical condition of our school buildings.

We will continue to enjoy a good working relationship with our teachers union through another round of contract negotiations in the upcoming year.

We will have developed a new strategic plan that gives us a road map for implementation of the recommendations that came out of the Berkshire performance audit. I would hope that the plan developed will be endorsed by the full committee with "buy in" from the community at large. (I worked on the last version strategic plan before I was on the school committee, but for a variety of reasons — some being political — it was never put before the committee for a vote and it was never used as the guiding document as such a plan should.)

Our schools will become more environmentally aware and "green" in terms of energy use and efficiency and our recycling efforts. In a somewhat related goal, we will continue to make improvements to our healthy lunch program with the incorporation of more locally grown produce and explore the potential benefits of a community garden.

5. What is the biggest problem facing the Town/Schools and what would you do to solve it?
Maintaining Quality: The downward moving Paiva-weed Tax cap will challenge the town’s ability to maintain, much less improve, the quality of education for kids here in Portsmouth and the state of our physical plant.

6. What is one new idea you bring to the table?
I don’t profess to have one specific new idea. I bring myself and my experience to the table, and at the table with my fellow committee members, we will hear the expert opinions and recommendations of our administrators, set goals, and develop strategies and policies to deal with the issues and challenges as they arise.

7. Anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?
As it turns out I am running as an unendorsed Democrat. I was initially unsure about running for a second term when the nominating committee of the Democratic Town committee was making its decisions earlier in the year. Had I been able to commit at that time I have no doubt they would have endorsed me. My fellow committee members and others in the community have encouraged and convinced me to reconsider my initial decision and seek reelection.

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MARILYN KING (D)
School Committee
1. Why should the voters of Portsmouth elect you to the Town Council/School Committee?
I have been a resident of this town for over 30 years. I raised my daughter here because I felt that the schools were the best around. She received a great education and went on to college (UVM) and is now a RN. Her education here gave her what she needed to reach her goals. I want to see that continued for the students of Portsmouth.

I have been a teacher in the Fall River Public Schools for 24 years. I work at a Middle school teaching 6-7-8 graders in a self-contained special needs class. I understand the importance of a good education and what it takes to achieve that goal. I would like to bring my experience of my teaching to the School Committee, and hopefully it will help in insuring the best efficient education possible for our children.

2. Describe 3 things you have done in the past to support the Town/Schools.
1. I was a CDC teacher at St. Anthony’s Church for 9 years.
2. I joined the Democrat Women’s Club and served as President for 2 years, and I am still very active in the club.
3. I have been a taxpayer for over 30 years.

3a. You are running as a Democrat — Why? What is the importance or impact of this affiliation?
I believe in the [Democratic] party and what they stand for and how they represent "THE PEOPLE." I want what is best for the people at the best value.

4. If you were to be elected, what would success look like after your term?
"Students" test scores focusing on reading/writing, math, and science
Decreasing drop-out rate.
Finally a system that meets the needs of all of it students.

5. What is the biggest problem facing the Town/Schools and what would you do to solve it?
I would try to be more efficient with monies received and, if necessary, reorganize the budget. Given the state’s fiscal crisis, our educational priorities need to be reviewed and re-prioritized.

Follow-up: In your answer to 5, you seem to be implying that the sitting school committee has not been efficient, and that their priorities are misplaced. Why do you believe this is the case?
I am not implying anything so please print as is.

6. What is one new idea you bring to the table?
As I had stated in my answer for question number 5, to be more efficient with monies received. I refrain from making specific suggestions at this time until I am elected and able to get a total understanding of the budget line by line and the educational needs of all of our students. I don’t like to make false promises.

Follow-up: 2. Are you aware that there is, as part of the yearly budget cycle, a line-by-line examination and prioritization which takes place? Given that you understandably don't want to make false promises, what new approach would you bring to the process?
[Note: The candidate declined to provide an answer, citing time constraints.]

7. Anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?
The Children of Portsmouth's education is very important. I truly believe that our children's education is most important.

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THOMAS VADNEY (D)
School Committee
1. Why should the voters of Portsmouth elect you to the Town Council/School Committee?
I have lived in Portsmouth for twelve years. My two daughters entered the school system at the middle school (grades five and six). Before arriving in Rhode Island, we moved frequently (My wife was in the military). My daughters had the good fortune of being placed in a number of high-performing public schools.

One of those schools, Creek Valley in Edina, Minnesota won the Federal Department of Education's Blue Ribbon award in both the years that my daughters attended the school. It has been my observation that our children here in Portsmouth are just as intelligent and motivated as the children in Edina; and that our teachers have the same degree of competence and drive as the teachers in Edina.

There is no reason that I see why our schools cannot reach the same level of excellence as the other top-performing schools do across the country. I feel that I can make a contribution to achieving the goal of national academic excellence.

2. Describe 3 things you have done in the past to support the Town/Schools.
I helped in the fight to stop the storage for dredge at the Mount Hope Terminal. Though we ultimately lost, I have not heard much out of the DEM lately about promoting "brown lands" storage of dredge.

In the last presidential election I served as an election worker. I was the clerk for precinct 2706 (at the high school gym).

Though not exactly a Portsmouth activity, I recently volunteered for and have preliminary training as a RIEMA state shelter volunteer.

Follow up: When asked to name 3 things you did to support the Town or Schools, you chose to list a RIEMA shelter volunteer, rather than your work with the Portsmouth Concerned Citizens (PCC), which arguably bears much more directly on the responsibilities of a school committee member. It appears that you transcribed the letter from Little Compton regarding the tuition increase which appears on the PCC web site, so your PCC work seems to have exposed you to school finance issues. Why would you not list it?
Why would being a shelter volunteer not reflect on the responsibilities of a school committee member? A shelter takes in everyone who needs shelter, with the shelter managers providing oversight of clients and not a carte blanche environment for those seeking shelter within it, otherwise pandemonium would prevail.

My work for the PCC reflects exactly that — my work for a taxpayer watchdog group. When my children were in school, we belonged to the PTA and the Music and Athletic Boosters, but I didn't list that either.

Yes, I posted material to the PCC website. The PCC provides as much material as it can to keep the citizenry informed. I've also been exposed to school finance issues by reading various news sources such as the Sakonnet Times, Newport Daily News, and Providence Journal, just like everyone else.

3a. You are running as a Democrat — Why? What is the importance or impact of this affiliation?
I am running as a Democrat. I believe in the Democratic Party ideals.

For better or worse, we have a two party system in this country. A candidate that runs outside of the system will always have tough time of it, especially in presidential election years and especially this year where so much interest has been generated by Senator Obama's candidacy.

Follow-up: Given that you say that you are running as a Democrat, how do you see your affiliation with PCC influencing your approach to the issues the schools face?
This question assumes that the PCC is a monolithic organization where everyone thinks alike — it is not. No more so than the Democratic Party or the Republican Party or a family or any other organization populated by more than one person.

Regarding my current status, once I decided to run, I gave up my seat on the PCC Executive Committee. Though there is no law or ethics issue that would compel this action, I feel that any person who chooses to seek and hold public office should be free of associations that may cause a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest. My view is that an office holder's first duty is to the community, not to any single organization.

4. If you were to be elected, what would success look like after your term?
A school system that produces young adults prepared for rigors university life, and who have the educational and psychological foundations to maximize their full potential and compete in a global market.

5. What is the biggest problem facing the Town/Schools and what would you do to solve it?
Any problem that effects our children's future is a big problem, and the school system will face many challenges in coming years; however, I will focus on the one that draws the most attention these days, money. The old business model used to run the school system since the 1970s is no longer viable. Rather than try to wait out our current financial difficulties (which will be a long wait, indeed), or attempt to prop up the current model, I suggest we start with a blank sheet of paper. I would like to see all interested parties, management and unions sit down at the negotiating table, and, in a collaborative manner, develop a new business model that is fair to all parties and sustainable in light of the financial realities in which we live.

Follow-up: Which specific aspect of the business model do you believe is no longer functional (property-tax-based support? state funding formula? lockstep increases in teacher contracts?)
Everything should be on the table for review. I expect that a committee comprised of a variety of people would be able to look at the current situation and develop different possibilities than any one person could alone.

Regarding the state funding formula, what state funding formula? I learned earlier this year that at one time the state did indeed have a formula. It is my understanding that during the banking crisis in the early 1990s (before my time), the formula was frozen at the level in place at the time of the crisis with an agreement that 2% a year would be added until the crisis had passed. I am amazed and disappointed that no one in the state's educational establishment, until recently, questioned the status of the state's funding formula.

6. What is one new idea you bring to the table?
As I am writing to an online news service, I will reveal my inner geek and focus on technology. One thing that struck me as I followed my daughter's (and now my wife's) college careers — is how integrated technology has become in a college student's life. At the center of college student's academic life today is his/her notebook computer and the ubiquitous standard productivity software, Microsoft Office. Young adults (and not so young adults) who enter the American university system today with an intimate familiarity with their notebook computer, Microsoft Office, and the wireless network environment has a distinct advantage. Most buildings at URI support Wi-Fi allowing for the constant flow of information. Though there are paper forms that still need to be filled out, most of what goes on in a university these days is communicated electronically. Assignments are submitted via e-mail, though there are a few hold out professors who want something in their hand; hence, a CD may occasionally need to be burned.

I would like to introduced the technology we see at the university level into the K-12 system. Having access to a desktop computer at school or the local library is one thing, but owning your very own notebook is quite another. Our children need to be fluent in the technology that is coming to dominate our world, and I believe the path to that familiarity is though notebook ownership. There are children today in Africa attending schools with dirt floors who own their notebook computer. There is no reason why we cannot make that a reality in Portsmouth.

7. Anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?
The past is the past. It is time we stop spending money on consultants, and come together as a community and work towards developing a better future for our community's most valuable asset — our children.

If the reader would like further information on my positions on school issues, visit the "on the issues" section at www.TomVadney.com.

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ANGELA VOLPICELLI (D)
School Committee
1. Why should the voters of Portsmouth elect you to the Town Council/School Committee?
My background in healthcare affords me a more compassionate outlook on the direction that the Portsmouth School System should take. With the uncertainties of the political/economic climate of today's world, I am concerned for the future of the Portsmouth School System. I want to be part of the decision-making process to maintain its excellence and integrity, as I once knew it.

2. Describe 3 things you have done in the past to support the Town/Schools.
I am a Portsmouth taxpayer.
I am a registered voter.
I am a member (President) of the Portsmouth Democratic Women's Club.

3a. You are running as a Democrat — Why? What is the importance or impact of this affiliation?
Aside from family tradition, it is my choice. The Democratic system is sensitive to the needs of all citizens, regardless of social strata.

4. If you were to be elected, what would success look like after your term?
I would like to see a balanced budget, better SAT scores, more students engaged in learning, less drop-outs, and to see that the students of Portsmouth are getting the education they deserve in order to prepare them for the future.

5. What is the biggest problem facing the Town/Schools and what would you do to solve it?
Fiscal responsibility is the biggest problem. There needs to be careful examination and prioritizing before fiscal decisions are made. The way to solve this is to examine the budget line by line and prioritize our educational needs.

Follow-up: Are you saying that there has been a problem with fiscal responsibility on the part of the sitting school committee, and that they are not examining and prioritizing fiscal decisions?
[Note: The candidate declined to provide an answer, citing time constraints.]

6. What is one new idea you bring to the table?
A new, fresh perspective should always be welcome. [Originally: Same as answer #5.]

Follow-up: 2. Are you aware that there is, in fact, exactly such a process in place as part of the budget cycle? What exactly would be "new" about your approach?
[Note: The candidate declined to provide an answer, citing time constraints.]

7. Anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?
I am a fresh, new face to the public arena. I represent honesty, a strong work ethic, and a positive open mind.

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SYLVIA WEDGE (D)
School Committee — incumbent
1. Why should the voters of Portsmouth elect you to the Town Council/School Committee?
I have been on the Portsmouth School Committee for almost 4 years, and have survived probably the most dificult times the system has had all at once in many years. I have attended almost every meeting and subcommittee meeting during my tenure. Therefore, I have a good deal of knowledge as to how the system works and doesn't work.

2. Describe 3 things you have done in the past to support the Town/Schools.
1 Served on the School Committee
2 Fund raised for the Gym.
3 Supported all school functions and extracurricular activities, both financially and by presence.

3a. You are running as a Democrat — Why? What is the importance or impact of this affiliation?
I'm running as a Democrat, the importance being that I believe that this party cares more about the town and schools than the almighty Yankee dollar.

4. If you were to be elected, what would success look like after your term?
Hopefully, there will not be cuts in any school activities such as the arts and athletics.

5. What is the biggest problem facing the Town/Schools and what would you do to solve it?
Funding. We must find a way to bring back the approprate funding of the schools. To solve this problem is bigger than I. It will take a village. But, I am ready to tackle this problem.

6. What is one new idea you bring to the table?
I would like to see the Prudence Island children all attend our public schools without having a 10-hour day, by crossing to Melville in ten or 12 minutes and giving these children a complete day with children of their age.

7. Anything else you would like to add in support of your candidacy?
I very much enjoy working with the entire School Committee and the administration. I also am looking forward to the end results of our Facilities Committee. I believe also, that the gym workout space will be complete by the begining of school in August.

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Coming soon: Town Council statements.