Public Education: Putting Students First
I believe public education is a fundamental right. Every child deserves access to a high-quality education, and every student should have the resources, teachers, and opportunities they need to succeed.
When we talk about education, we often focus on budgets, buildings, test scores, or politics. While those issues matter, they are not the reason our schools exist.
Our schools exist for one reason: our students.
Every decision we make should begin by asking one simple question:
“How does this help our students succeed?”
My connection to Newport Public Schools
I graduated from Rogers High School in 1992, following in the footsteps of my father and many members of my family before me. My siblings also graduated from Rogers, and their children have attended Newport Public Schools as well.
I come from a family of proud Rogers Vikings.
When I attended Rogers, Newport felt like a city that placed residents and students at the center of its decisions. Today, Newport is recognized around the world as a premier destination, but we must never lose sight of the families who live here year-round. Investing in our students is one of the greatest investments we can make in Newport’s future.
Building on the investment
With the new Rogers High School complete, our work is just beginning.
A modern school building provides tremendous opportunities, but educational success depends on far more than bricks and mortar. We must continue investing in excellent teachers, innovative educational programs, student support services, and opportunities that prepare every student for success after graduation.
Our goal should be to ensure Newport Public Schools become a destination for educational excellence—where students, teachers, and families are proud to learn, teach, and grow.
Academic Excellence
Every student learns differently, and success cannot be measured by a single test score. While literacy, mathematics, science, and critical thinking remain essential, we must also recognize that students have different talents, interests, and career aspirations.
I support strengthening:
Early literacy and reading proficiency
Mathematics achievement and problem-solving skills
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education opportunities
Career and Technical Education (CTE) pathways
Arts, music, and performing arts programs
Financial literacy and life skills education
Social-emotional learning and student wellness
Education should prepare students for whichever path they choose—whether that is college, the skilled trades, military service, entrepreneurship, or entering the workforce directly.
Every graduate should leave Newport Public Schools with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed.
Addressing Attendance and Students Success
One of the greatest challenges facing schools today is chronic absenteeism.
Students cannot learn if they are not in the classroom.
Improving attendance requires understanding why students are missing school and addressing those barriers through collaboration with families, educators, counselors, healthcare providers, and community organizations.
Likewise, improving academic outcomes requires more than measuring test scores. We should examine the factors that contribute to student success, including attendance, mental health, family engagement, access to academic support, and opportunities for enrichment.
Students should be active participants in these conversations. Their experiences and perspectives matter and should help shape the future of our schools.
Supporting Teachers
Great schools begin with great teachers.
Our educators deserve competitive compensation, professional development opportunities, modern classrooms, and the resources necessary to help every student succeed.
Teacher recruitment and retention should remain a priority. Experienced educators are among our most valuable assets, and we should strive to create a school system where outstanding teachers choose to build long and rewarding careers.
Supporting teachers ultimately means supporting students.
Collaboration Between City and Schools
Strong schools require strong partnerships.
As a City Councilor, I have advocated for greater collaboration between the City Council and School Committee through regular communication, financial transparency, and long-term planning.
That is why I co-sponsored the Academic Integration Committee Resolution, which was approved by the City Council. The resolution recognizes that education is a community responsibility and encourages greater collaboration between the City, School Department, higher education institutions, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community partners to strengthen educational opportunities for Newport students.
By working together, we can better prepare students for college, careers, military service, and lifelong success while ensuring our educational system reflects the needs of both our students and our community.
Looking Towards the Future
Although the Middletown Town Council ultimately chose not to move forward with discussions on regionalization with Newport, I continue to believe that some form or regional collaboration deserves thoughtful consideration in the future.
I supported exploring regionalization because partnerships between neighboring communities can create educational opportunities that individual districts may struggle to provide on their own.
However, any future proposal must begin with a comprehensive educational plan—not simply a financial plan.
Before asking communities to reconsider regionalization, we need clear answers to important questions:
How will students benefit academically?
Will additional academic programs become available?
Will Career and Technical Education opportunities expand?
Will students have greater access to Advanced Placement, dual enrollment, and specialized coursework?
How will special education services improve?
How will transportation, extracurricular activities, and student support services be strengthened?
How will success be measured?
Most importantly, students, teachers, parents, and the community should all have meaningful opportunities to participate in developing that vision.
Regionalization should never be pursued simply to reduce costs. It should only move forward if it clearly improves educational opportunities and student outcomes.
I believe those conversations are worth continuing, because thoughtful regional collaboration may someday offer opportunities that benefit students throughout Aquidneck Island.
Putting Students First
Whether the issue is school funding, teacher retention, attendance, literacy, mathematics, workforce development, Career and Technical Education, or long-term planning, my philosophy remains the same:
Students should always come first.
Every decision should be evaluated by one simple standard:
Will this help Newport’s students receive the best possible education and prepare them for a successful future?
If the answer is yes, then it deserves our support.
As your City Councilor, I will continue working with the School Committee, educators, families, students, community organizations, local businesses, and our higher education partners to build a school system that prepares every student to succeed—whether their future leads them to college, the skilled trades, military service, entrepreneurship, or the workforce.
Because investing in our students is investing in Newport’s future.