Following a script - or maybe not - the Chariho School Committee elects Louise Dinsmore as Chair
On Tuesday evening, the Chariho Regional School Committee held its second meeting under a new 7-5 Republican majority. Chariho is a regionalized school District with representatives from the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton. The School Committee is made up of four persons from each town.
As expected, the School Committee elected
conservative Republican Louise Dinsmore, co-founder of the Forgotten
Taxpayers PAC, former Chair of the Richmond Republican Town
Committee, and Chariho Rotary Club board member, as its
new Chair. Dinsmore also signed onto the Moms
for Liberty Pledge while running for office.
Readers might remember that one month ago, in apparent contravention of the Chariho Act, the 1958 State Law that formed and governs the regionalized school district, the committee voted 7-5 to table the election of a new Chair. The Chariho Act states that a new Chair must be chosen at the first meeting following the election, and the rotation of the Chair meant that the person selected had to be from Richmond.
Sadly, that law has no enforcement method - there are no fines to be
assessed for violating the Chariho Act, and the legal remedy in this case is
difficult to determine. So, the Chariho Act can be violated freely, pending
action by the General Assembly.
Throughout the first meeting, Republicans were coy about their motives in not selecting a new Chair. It was the last meeting attended by Kathryn Colasante, who stepped down and allowed Louise Dinsmore to take her seat. Colasante stressed that she was not stepping down to pave the way for Dinsmore to take control of the school district and that she had spoken to a lawyer before her decision.
Accusations
were made that Republicans on the School Committee may have violated the Open
Meetings Act - and a complaint has been sent to the Attorney General - but
these complaints can take months to investigate. Even if a violation is found,
it is hard to imagine the legal remedy.
Whatever plans the Republican majority made or didn’t make did not deter them from electing Louise Dinsmore as Chair.
The meeting began with Karen Reynolds acting as Chair.
The following transcript has been edited for clarity.
Karen Reynolds [Richmond—D]: While I understand that many of you are here for the Chair election, I hope you’ll stay for the remainder of the meeting, which will include the introduction of the fiscal year 2026 budget and the high school program of studies... I understand that feelings run deep and that some are going to leave this evening feeling like their side lost. We need to put those feelings aside and focus on the priorities of this committee: the students, the District, and the taxpayers. Tonight will be a beginning rather than an ending. We must find ways to work together, requiring us to put political labels aside.
We must listen to one another and continually ask, "Is
this best for all students, our District, and our community?” My expectations
for this meeting remain the same as for every other meeting. We’re adults and
will conduct ourselves as the role models we must be for our students. Please
refrain from outbursts or talking to or over one another. We have a lot to do
this evening, and many of the members in the audience and on this committee
need to get up early and go to work.
With that in mind, I would also like to take this
opportunity to share the process under Robert Rules of Parliamentary Procedure.
At the last meeting, I was nominated as Chair, and that vote failed. Under the
rules, I cannot be nominated again unless a member who voted against me makes
that nomination. The motion, discussion, and vote to table the Chair vote came
after the motion to nominate me. At this time, I will take nominations for
Chair of the Chariho School Committee.
Polly Hopkins [Hopkinton—R]: I would like
to nominate Louise Dinsmore.
Louise Dinsmore is an ideal choice to Chair our school
committee going forward. Louise has held many leadership roles in her nonprofit
work spanning over three decades. Those decades have had a lasting impact on
communities throughout Rhode Island. We are lucky to have her as a school
committee member and would greatly benefit from her leadership. I could list
her resume, the communities she’s touched with her professional contributions,
and the advocacy she’s implemented to save the taxpayers of Richmond their
hard-earned dollars. But I will tell you why I want to organize the school
committee under her leadership. She’s a fierce advocate for children, a fierce
advocate for the taxpayer, and a fierce advocate for the community. And did you
know she was a kidney donor? I didn’t. That is a trifecta of importance, in my
opinion. Louise is approachable, incredibly intelligent, gracious, and a
fantastic mother. We should be so lucky to benefit from this lasting impact
over the next couple of years. I nominate Louise Dinsmore for the Chair of the
Chariho School committee.
Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: I want to
state a concern you touched upon. At the last meeting, we decided to table this
vote until Ms. Dinsmore could be seated, but we didn’t table all the votes.
There was no tabling discussion when we were discussing Karen as a nominee. It
was moved forward without any discussion. Shouldn’t she participate in all the
votes if she intended to let Ms. Dinsmore participate? As Karen said, those who
supported Karen could not make that motion. It would be up to someone who
denied it. But I would request that we retake that vote, not to change the
result, but to be true to your words, which was that you wanted Ms. Dinsmore to
be present. She’s now present. I don’t understand why one vote was okay and
another was not.
The vote succeeds 7-4. Charlestown Independent Craig
Louzon abstained. Dinsmore and Reynolds switch seats.
Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Before we
move on, I have a few comments because I know we have a lot of business
tonight. First, I want to thank Karen Reynolds for her outstanding service to
the Chriho School Committee as our Vice Chair for the past 18 months. I’m
confident that I speak for all school committee members and the community to
express our appreciation for your leadership and calm demeanor. You have our
respect, Karen, for your unparalleled dedication to this body, the students,
staff, and parents. I also want to acknowledge Catherine Colosante, who served
this committee with distinction and integrity. She was always prepared for
meetings, asked thoughtful questions, and considered all facts before making
decisions. We owe our gratitude to Catherine for her service as well.
To those of you who are thinking, “I can’t believe she’s
prepared remarks; she must have preplanned this vote with a quorum,” -
colleagues who know me know that I am a planner…
To those of you who are thinking, “I can’t believe she’s
prepared remarks; she must have preplanned this vote with a quorum,” -
colleagues who know me know that I am a planner, and in the event I was elected
Chair, I wanted to be sure to express the right words. Thank you to the school
committee members for electing me as your Chair. I truly appreciate your
confidence in me. For those who did not vote for me, I will do my best to earn
your confidence and respect for those in our community who have expressed your
frustration relative to the possibility of my becoming Chair because a majority
of the voters of Richmond didn’t elect me. To that, I will say that I ran for
office, giving 110% for five months of my life, and came just 27 votes shy or
0.3% short, Receiving 2,132 votes.
I will tackle this role as I do every other aspect of my
professional life, giving 110% to this body, our students, and our community.
Now that I have been appointed by the Richmond Town Council
and sworn in, I am an equal member of this body. This is similar to Ms.
Purcell, who was first appointed to this committee, and Ms. Reynolds, who was
appointed by the Richmond Town Council several years ago. The community and the
school committee unconditionally and without reservation welcomed them to this
body. Now, I ask for that same kindness, that same grace, and that same
inclusion. Today, moving forward in our meetings, I will have three sticky
notes before me to guide me in this role. The note on the left has the word
kindness. Kindness is one of my core values as a human being. I will treat each
of you kindly and expect the same in return. As public officials, we must
uphold the highest standard of conduct, setting an example for our students and
communities.
The second note I have here is respect, which is also one of
my core values. Although I have been personally spoken ill of in newspapers and
by members of the community, I respect your opinion. I ask for that same
respect in return. Just because I may disagree with your position doesn’t give
any of us the license to be disrespectful or mean-spirited. We must do better.
The sticky note in the middle says, students. Students are
the center of our work here. Their safety, wellbeing, and academic achievement
are at the forefront of everything we do.
When I ran for office, I was sincere in my platform,
highlighting academic excellence. At its centerpiece, we should be the best
school district in Rhode Island in academics, career, technical education,
athletics, and student safety. We must drive as a community and as a committee
to be our best - helping every student realize their highest potential. My
mother always told me, Louise, when you think you’ve done your best, keep
striving to do better, to be better. When you think you have nothing left in
the tank, dig deeper. As a community, we must strive to help our students dig
deeper and achieve their highest potential.
As we set our sights on being the best, we must find a
balance with affordability for our taxpayers and residents - not trying to
defund public education, but by working together as partners to look at the big
picture with a fresh perspective. As school committee members, I ask that we
all collaborate with our administrators, staff, parents, and students to be our
best. We all play a unique and critical role in achieving the goals of academic
excellence in affordability. Together, we can elevate Chariho to a level of
excellence in being the best it’s ever been. Thank you.
I will accept nominations for vice chairperson, and that
vice chair will be a member of Charlestown. Are there any nominations for Vice
Chair?
Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: I nominate
Linda Lyall as vice chair.
Linda previously served as Chair of the school committee
from 2020 to 2022. Is that what it was? Yeah, I think that positions her well
as vice chair.
Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Any other
discussion?
Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: If you’re
not going to vote for Linda, you should discuss it. I think that was a problem
we had of bad feelings I had from the previous nomination at the last meeting.
You’re here as a public body member to discuss our agenda. So, if you do not
support Linda, I’d like to hear why.
Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: I mean, I
think everybody’s vote is in their personal preference,
Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: But you’re
a public servant. You’re a member of a public body.
Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Understood.
But I mean, not everything has to be discussed. If somebody has a personal
preference, then they have their personal preference.
Donna Chambers [Charlestown—I]: If you do
not vote for Linda, you should say why you don't feel she would be appropriate
as a vice chair. I think that it’s important to know why.
Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Okay. That’s
your opinion. Any other discussion? Okay, we will bring it to a vote.
The vote failed.
Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: I’ll
entertain nominations from the floor for vice chair Polly.
Polly Hopkins [Hopkinton—R]: I’d like to
nominate Laura Chapman. [Charlestown [R]]
I’ve had to get to know Laura Chapman in a short time. I
have discovered a collaborative and intelligent change agent. It’s apparent to
all who attend our meetings that she does a lot of research and preparation to
tackle topics brought to the school committee. And that work pays off for us,
the community, and all the children who attend our schools throughout the
district. Her questions are exact, thoughtful, and also thought-provoking. It’s
refreshing to hear intelligent takes from outside the box. These are the
attributes I look for in a leader. I nominate Laura Chapman to serve as the
vice chair of the chair host school committee. Thank you.
Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Any further
discussion? Okay. Seeing no further discussion. All in favor? All opposed? Any
abstentions? The motion carries. Laura, congratulations.
The rest of the meeting was more ordinary, but there are
some items to note:
- Dianne
Tefft [Hopkinton—R] and newly elected Vice Chair Laura Chapman
[Charlestown—R] were placed on the health and wellness subcommittee. Tefft
signed the Moms for Liberty pledge.
- Lousie
Dinsmore and Diane Tefft were added to the NEA-certified staff negotiation
committee. That contract is up for negotiation this year.
- During
the public forum, several people called out the shenanigans that led to
the election of Dinsmore.
- Near
the end of the forum, Polly Hopkins [Hopkinton—R] attempted to rewrite the
minutes of the last meeting. The rewrite failed.
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