We want to get the biggest pool of qualified candidates we can.”

Linda Ujifusa, vice president, Portsmouth Town Council

PORTSMOUTH — Ever wanted to be a School Committee member but you just don’t have the stomach for campaigning?

If so, you’re in luck. The Town Council is seeking qualified residents to apply for two unexpired seats on the school board, and will interview and appoint two candidates during a special meeting Wednesday, Dec. 19.

Knocking on doors, erecting campaign signs and stumping for votes are not required, nor is a trip to the polls for voters.

The two selected candidates will fill the remaining two years left on seats recently vacated by Terri Cortvriend and Andrew Kelly, who were elected to different posts on Nov. 6. Voters chose Ms. Cortvriend to be the new state representative for House District 72, while Mr. Kelly was elected to the Town Council.

Council Vice President Linda Ujifusa, who put the matter on the agenda for Monday night’s council meeting, said the vacancies should be filled in an open and transparent process.

“We want to get the biggest pool of qualified candidates we can,” Ms. Ujifusa said.

The council voted 6-1 on a motion to direct the town clerk’s office to advertise for candidates as soon as possible, with applications due Dec. 14. All candidates will be interviewed by the council during a special meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 7 p.m., with two applicants selected for the school board that night.

Details on the application process can be found here.

Time is of the essence, said School Committee Vice Chairwoman Emily Copeland said, because the board will be conducting teacher negotiations and a review of the district budget soon.

The motion contained a provision, proposed by Mr. Kelly, that the two residents selected for the school board undergo criminal background checks before they are sworn in. Each state background check, conducted by the R.I. Attorney General’s office, costs $5.

Council member Keith Hamilton voted against the motion, saying he opposed the background checks. “We don’t have background checks for ourselves,” said Mr. Hamilton, who feared the extra requirement could dissuade some people from applying.

He asked Mr. Kelly if he underwent a criminal background when he was on the School Committee.

“No, but I was elected,” replied Mr. Kelly.

Council member Daniela Abbott said she’s undergone several background checks due to her involvement with the Girl Scouts and as a school volunteer.

“Asking someone for a background check is pretty basic,” she said.

Application requirements

Ms. Ufifusa suggested all applications include a résumé that provides information about each candidate’s education and experience (work and volunteer) and a cover letter that addresses the following three questions:

• “Why would you like to serve on the Portsmouth School Committee (PSC)?”

• “Why would you make a good PSC member?”

• “What would be your major goals as a PSC member?”

Council members would have the opportunity to ask further questions at the Dec. 19 meeting, querying candidates one at a time and out of earshot of the other applicants, she said.

School board member Allen Shers urged to the council to take caution in filling the vacancies, saying the current panel is “a very cohesive group” that works well together.

“No activists, no ideologues, no political pariahs,” Mr. Shers said. “The goal for everyone is that this should be for the kids.”

Professional development, retreat

In a separate matter, the council voted 6-1 to have members participate in professional development training, much like their colleagues on the School Committee. Rhode Island school boards are required by state law to have a minimum of six hours of professional development. 

“I don’t know why the school committees are required under the state legislature to have professional development training and town councils are not,” said Ms. Ujifusa, who proposed the idea. 

She said without the training, the council significantly increases the risk of making decisions that are not in the best interests of the town, unnecessarily cost taxpayers more money, and force the town into more frequent litigation.

Town Administrator Richard Rainer Jr., who supported the proposal, said the annual cost of professional development for the entire council would be $1,500, and is covered in the budget under a legal line item.

“This would essentially be ‘Town Council 101,’” he said. “I think it would be a good idea, with all the new members.”

Mr. Hamilton opposed the motion, saying he needed more information to justify using budget funds that could go elsewhere. “It’s a finite budget,” he said.

In a $60 million budget, the cost is “minuscule” considering its benefits, Ms. Ujifusa replied. 

The professional development will take place at a council “retreat” scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 8, starting at 9 a.m. in the Portsmouth High School library. 

During that session, which is expected to run several hours, the council will also discuss with Mr. Rainer its annual priorities and goals, as well as its legislative priorities going forward. The retreat is an open meeting, so anyone is welcome to attend.