PORTSMOUTH — One candidate will be the odd person out when Portsmouth voters cast their ballots for School Committee candidates.

There are three Democrats and one independent running for the three available seats this year. We asked them why voters should cast their ballots for them, as well as the key issue or issues they’ll be focusing on if elected.

Emily A. Copeland (D)

Having served on the school committee for three terms, I have deep institutional knowledge of the district’s budget, finances and policies. Portsmouth is on a strong trajectory with good leadership, quality teachers and staff, supported by strong sports and extracurricular activities that help to develop the whole child. 

Both my children went through grades K-12, and I was very involved in the elementary and middle school parent-teacher groups. My professional experience as a college professor is a valuable resource for the district. Throughout my tenure, I have worked for transparency, fiscal responsibility while never losing sight that the welfare of Portsmouth children must be the key factor driving our decision making. I passionately support: Continual improvement in high-quality education, including meaningful extracurricular activities; clear communication; strengthened family partnerships and relationships with all stakeholders; and transparency and accountability in district financing and management.

I see two important challenges: the first, is financial. State aid to Portsmouth has decreased, state mandates have increased. Thus, the challenge is to maintain the programs and facilities that we have and respond to emerging needs while ensuring the school system remains affordable to the town residents. The second challenge is tied to the first. How do we ensure proper supports for each student — whether it is the struggling student or the student who wants more?

The reasons I’m running are to meet these challenges. We need 1) to complete the bond projects as promised to Portsmouth voters; 2) to develop a strong strategic plan to guide how scarce resources are spent and which priorities are addressed; 3) to identify areas where there can be cost savings (such as transportation); and 4) to continuously strengthen partnerships with all stakeholders. 

I ask for your support this November in order to continue this work. Thank you.

John J. Delehanty III (D)

I am running for the Portsmouth School Committee in hopes of maintaining the high level of education that Portsmouth is known for. As a father of three girls in the district, I have a vested interest in making sure Portsmouth students have access to the resources they need. Our schools need to enable students to develop the knowledge and resiliency necessary to thrive in the world after school. 

It is my belief that schools and parents need to be partners in the education process. Parents need to have insight and a voice in the development of school curriculums. Parents are responsible for the upbringing of their children and need to be comfortable with what their children are being taught. There also needs to be open and effective lines of communication so that students’ needs can be met. 

We are a few years removed from the Covid pandemic, which took a toll on many schools nationwide. The level of learning still lags behind where we were pre-pandemic. We need to take an honest account of the actions that were taken and how they impacted students. The students of Portsmouth deserve better than to repeat the same mistakes. 

This town has done a tremendous job in providing our schools with resources. We need to continue improving the infrastructure to ensure that our schools are equipped for the future. It is my hope that we can work to maintain Portsmouth’s position as one of the best school systems in Rhode Island.

Brett W. Fox (I)

My name is Brett Fox and I am running for Portsmouth School Committee. My wife Marianne and I have lived in Portsmouth since 2011 and we have four children ranging from 2 to 13 years old. I am the son of a retired Air Force officer and a career elementary school teacher. I have an engineering degree from Virginia Tech and currently working as an information systems manager with General Dynamics Information Technology. 

I am running for school committee because I believe in our public school system and I want to take a proactive approach to our children’s education here in Portsmouth. I will work with teachers, administrators and parents to prepare our kids for their life after leaving our school system, whether it is college or immediately into the workforce. This will require continued modernization of our facilities and resources which will allow us to continue enrichment activities in lower grade schools as well as career and technology education programs in the high school.

I want to make sure that our school system is working with the community’s industry and culture because there are a lot of great things happening here on this island.

I also want to ensure our teachers and administrators are getting the appropriate training that’s necessary to foster productivity that will translate directly to our students in the most positive and effective way. Each student is unique and requires support from properly trained teachers and administrators to ensure success for everyone.

I want to make sure our budget and allocation of funds is set up for success and current projects are running smoothly. I have a successful background in contract writing, project budgeting and allocation of resources that will translate directly to current and future district initiatives. We need to remain adaptable, but fiscally responsible.

Karen E. Marlow McDaid (D)

My unique mix of experiences has served me well on the School Committee. My teaching career gave me hands-on exposure to best practices in education and the practical realities of life in a public school, and my corporate experience provides a strategic and bottom-line perspective. I understand the complexities of state regulations, union contracts, and tight budgets, but I also recognize the importance of addressing the unique needs of each child. 

For me, education isn’t just another issue — it’s been a driving force throughout my life. It’s one of our town’s most vital services, and I’m committed to ensuring that every student has the opportunity to thrive both individually and as part of a successful school community.

It’s been a privilege to serve on the Portsmouth School Committee since January 2019. If re-elected, I will continue to focus on these key priorities:

Policy: As chair of the Policy Subcommittee, I lead efforts to craft forward-thinking policies that provide clear direction for our district. These policies must not only meet the requirements of RIDE and district leadership but also reflect the aspirations of our entire school community — especially our students.

Capital planning: In the next term, we’ll complete the construction funded by the recent bond and begin laying out a Capital Plan that sets the course for the next five years of investment in our schools’ infrastructure.

Equity and school culture: Schools thrive when all students feel safe, supported, and equipped to succeed. As a member of the Equity Subcommittee and the School Committee representative to SELAC (the Special Education parents’ group), I’m committed to ensuring that every student — regardless of background or ability — has the resources and support they need to reach their full potential.