To the editor:

I read with dismay the letter that Madeline O’Dell, former Tiverton Budget Committee member, submitted to all three local newspapers recently to complain about a pilot program at Pocasset Elementary School. I’d like to not only set the record straight, but also express my concerns over Mrs. O’Dell’s willingness to attack a school administrator and twist it into an argument about charter questions and the FTR.

First, I say with confidence that the School Committee was absolutely aware of the plan to combine a Grade 1 and 2 class for the upcoming school year. I applaud our teachers and their principal, Mrs. Deanne Reilly for coming up with this innovative approach to address her school population’s needs. It not only saves the district thousands in re-districting costs and student disruption, but it also shows imagination and a willingness to try new things with the best interest of our students as the priority. Indeed, we unanimously approved the appointment of a teacher to lead this class at our meeting on August 14.

If two School Committee members weren’t aware of the pilot, then why on earth did we just approve hiring a teacher for it? As for Mrs. O’Dell feeling insulted, I’m told that all communications with her have been professional and courteous. I’m sure that many a parent of Pocasset School students would agree with me that Mrs. Reilly is a caring professional and our district is lucky to have her.

This brings me to the outlandish accusation that there is a family connection between Mrs. Reilly and our former superintendent, and that such a connection somehow gives her sway over our administration. This is patently untrue, and I call on Mrs. O’Dell to apologize to Mrs. Reilly for spreading libelous falsehoods.

What’s frightening me most is that a citizen feels the right to attack school personnel without provocation, and spread apparent falsehoods about School Committee members, all in the name of trying to convince people to vote a certain way on a charter question. There have been no discussions by the School Committee about building more schools, as Mrs. O’Dell insinuates in her letter. Trying to make a problem that doesn’t exist is not fair to the readers of these publications or the taxpayers of Tiverton. I ask that she please stick to facts in the future.

Diane Farnworth

Member, Tiverton School Committee