The forest and trees metaphor is pretty apt when our local boards analyze programs, outcomes and the budgets funding them.   When I served on the South Kingstown School Committee, I would pore over the budget comparing it to prior years, identifying trends, poking at every bit of minutia I was provided.  Once out of office,... Continue Reading →

How did masks become political? Those pushing to end masking of kids are a cross section of town, with many cross-partisan ideas bubbling amongst them. Opposition to easing the mandate, on the other hand, seem more uniform in worldview. If you ask a Democrat, they’ll blame Trump for all the COVID woes.  If you ask... Continue Reading →

And of course, then there is the emerging school facilities plan… Over the last few weeks, the South Kingstown School Committee has made some pretty big decisions.  Regardless of where you fall on this, everyone is acknowledging the changing demographics of South Kingstown.  What was emerging in 2010 became clear in 2018.  A few years... Continue Reading →

Why do we ignore history? After watching the community begin a slow simmer once again, I pulled out some “ancient” data.  You can see it here.  I have not verified it, but to many that have lived in South Kingstown for more than 20 years, they will say that it “looks about right”.  It definitely... Continue Reading →

I haven’t written in some time, and looking over previous posts, I notice that I’ve spent a lot of time criticizing various local representatives (deserving or not). I have always felt that trust and transparency are critical to representative government, and today I’d like to focus on two local elected officials who in the last... Continue Reading →

I'd like to share at least one of my reasons (there are many) for supporting the Petition to the RI Department of Education being circulated among South Kingstown residents, asking RIDE to reject the plan before them Petition Letter to RIDE (jotform.com). Supporters of the Stage II school facilities application, as has been submitted to... Continue Reading →

by Paula Bradley and Jason Ralph On Wednesday, the Town Council and School Committee will hold a joint work session to discuss the Stage 2 School Facility Plan. The main purpose of this meeting is to address concerns raised by town representatives regarding future operational savings related to the facility plan. In preparation for this... Continue Reading →