Six candidates vying for half as many seats on the Bristol Warren Regional School Committee made their case Tuesday night, when the Rhode Island League of Women Voters, East Bay Newspapers and Full Channel TV held a candidates’ forum at the old Bristol Court House on the Town Common.

It was the first time they’d all been brought together, and a crowd of close to 70 listened intently for more than an hour as each candidate answered questions from moderator Patrick Luce and responded to points made by others.

School policy in all its forms — philosophical, fiscal and political — ruled the night as candidates talked about their vision for the district. For some, that means the continuation of the Bristol/Warren partnership that has been in place for 25 years. For others, the model is different.

In starting off the evening, Mr. Luce asked candidates to say a little bit about themselves.

Adam Ramos, an attorney, said he has lived in town for 13 years and wants to add to the great work he believes is already being done by the nine-member committee. Now is a crucial time, he said.

“The people on the school committee now are doing a great job. Federal and state government are lacing directives and putting more focus on local control; that gives local school committees (the ability) to improve policies … I want to join them.”

Marjorie McBride, a long-time school committee member running for re-election, said she wants “to continue to be a part of our dynamic school system. We are a district on the move, but we still have challenges we face. I believe I’ve been a good steward of your tax dollars.”

Newcomer Lisa Labollita lives in Bristol and runs a pre-school in Warren. She said watching her children grow is one of many motivations for her running.

“I really believe that our children are our future,” she said. “If we invest in them, we invest in our community. A thriving community depends on good schools.”

R. Andrew Benn said his motivations are similar. A lifelong Bristol resident who thinks it’s “one of the best” communities in the state, he said the school system is top notch — but could be better.

“I have the skills necessary,” he said.

Current school committee member Dessie Wainwright said she is enthusiastic about the district’s current status. Test scores are up, innovation reigns and the district is working hard to continually improve. To help the improvements continue, she said, “I am seeking a second term.”

Finally, Brian Bradshaw said that with children in the school district, he would like to take part in its governance. He has been attending school committee meetings for months and would like to be a part of the group.

“By running and being a part of the school committee, I can shape the future of education in Bristol.”

After opening remarks, candidates were asked to answer questions posed by audience members and recited by Mr. Luce

On areas in which the district is in need of improvement

“What I’ve seen is there is a desire” from both the school community and parents to work more closely together, “but there’s not really a bridge to allow those two sides to meet,” Mr. Ramos said.

Ms. McBride responded that community involvement and communication could be better. “We don’t move a battleship in one day but we are working hard to bring the community into our programs.”

On whether the Joint Finance Committee should have 50/50 representation from Bristol and Warren

“No,” Ms. McBride said. “I don’t believe they should.”

“I would have to agree, said Ms. Labollita. “It should be based on population.”

On whether charter schools should be supported here

“I do support charter schools,” Ms. Labollita said. “The more choices that we have … the better it is for our children.”

“It really depends on the funding formula for the charter schools,” Mr. Benn said. “I don’t believe in 100 percent vouchers.”

Ms. Wainwright chimed in, saying that “charter schools are great but we have six schools, and wherever that kid goes goes the money. I’m against them for our school district.”

“I support public education,” Ms. McBride said. “We have a teacher. We have a book. We have a classroom, or a computer. We are prepared to educate every student. Taking money sway from our district to fund a charter school is wrong.

“I would say that charter schools are a part of our public education,” Mr. Ramos said. “What they can do is offer differing educational philosophies and styles that could each some children that might not be able to be reached (in other ways). In that way I think they go hand in hand.”

On the Superior Court school funding decision that resulted in a $2 million funding shift between Bristol and Warren

“I believe the judge’s ruling was fair,” Mr. Benn said. “It’s unfortunate for Bristol taxpayers but I believe that was the appropriate action.”

“I’ll leave that up to the towns and the JFC,” Ms. Wainwright said. “But if we’re looking at money concerns (busing costs) is an area we need to look at.

"What Bristol and Warren both need to realize is that when you have litigation you have risk on both sides," Mr. Ramos added. "In the end the towns are going to have to work together and we don’t need the animosity that’s created by the ongoing litigation."

On whether you support standardized testing

“I do support standardized testing,” Ms. Wainwright said. It’s to help those kids on the lower end of the spectrum. We need to close those achievement gaps.”

“I agree with what Ms. Wainwright said,” answered Mr. Bradshaw. “It is a good way to look across the state and see how districts are performing.”

It “serves a purpose,” Mr. Ramos said. “But I think that it’s important that we recognize that there are times when we have too much reliance on standardized testing.”

Ms. Labollita added that standardized testing will never test for some of the most important traits in students:

“It also doesn’t test things like cooperative behavior, artistic and behavioral skills. It doesn’t show leadership qualities, problem solving.”

On teachers’ longevity clauses

“There’s something to be said for high-performing teachers that do a good job for their students,” Mr. Bradshaw said.

“As a general matter, I think teachers should be able to earn those clauses,” Mr. Ramos said. “We need to ensure that teachers … are doing good job.”

“Should they be protected? Absolutely not,” Mr. Benn, a teacher himself, said. “I think one of the the things that has been good for the state has been the teacher evaluation system. It’s a painful process but does it make us better? Absolutely. Nobody should be protected.”

“I’m also an educator and I don’t agree with longevity clauses, either,” Ms. Labollita said. “I think tenure in some situations can be very detrimental to the student body, especially for teachers that are not doing their job.”

On bringing back more trade-related and vocational programs to Mt. Hope:

“Our superintendent has been working hard with companies in and around the East Bay to bring our children back into the trades,” Ms. McBride said. “I also support that. Do we need to have those facilities in the school itself? No, I don’t think we do.”

“The more choices parents have and students have, the better it is,” Ms. Labollita said. 

“Absolutely,” Mr. Benn added. “I do agree we need more career technical education.”

On the importance of civics classes in the district:

“Of course (civics) should be taught and it currently is being taught within our history and sociology departments,” Ms. Wainwright said. “I think that students need to get more involved” in politics.

“It’s important that our children learn the political system, U.S. history, everything that this country was founded on,” Mr. Bradshaw added.

On whether you would have voted to regionalize back when Bristol and Warren joined forces:

“It was the right decision then, it remains the right decision now,” Mr. Ramos said. “There are efficiencies that can result from being regionalized. There may have been some bumps in the road along the way. But we can fix those and should move forward.”

“Having nothing to do with the fact that I’m a Colt and not a Husky, in hindsight, I don’t think we got enough bang for our buck,” Mr. Benn said. “In hindsight, I would say ‘No.’”

“If I had my way I think Rhode Island should have four school districts,” Ms. Wainwright said. “It is so expensive to have all these school districts. If we were to de-regionalize, look at all the things our students would lose out on.”

“I think that regionalization brought economies of scale,” Ms. McBride said. “I think the only issue are the old folks who want to go back to the Colt and Redskin days. I do not think we are top-heavy. We are less top heavy because we don’t have two superintendents, two assistant superintendents, two of anything. We have one.”