Meet the candidates for Portsmouth School Committee
In advance of the 2022 General Election, The Newport Daily News reached out to candidates via emails filed with the Board of Elections to learn more about their candidacy.
All candidates were asked the same questions with a 450-word limit per question and provided two weeks to respond. Responses can be seen below without editing to ensure voters are reading the candidates' own words.
Sondra Blank
Did not respond.
Frederick W. Faerber III
Position running for: Portsmouth School Committee
Current office held (if any): Portsmouth School Committee (10 years) & Portsmouth Water & Fire District (13 years)
Occupation: Executive Recruiter
What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?
As a nearly 10 year member of the current school committee I believe I have significantly contributed to the growth in excellence of our school district which is generally regarded as the third best in the state. (Our science program is ranked #1 in RI.) I would like for it to be the best and we have been hard at that work but more needs to be done. As an executive recruiter, CPA, former banker (Citicorp) and management consultant (Price Waterhouse & KPMG Peat Marwick) I believe those experiences have been very helpful to the school district, improving its efficiency, fiscal integrity and transparency as well as increasing academic excellence. I’m also a member and former Treasurer of the RI Association of School Committees which provides improving education advocacy for all state school districts and professional development opportunities for all school committee members.
My two children are products of a public education and it has served them very well.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the Portsmouth school system and how would you approach improving the situation?
Rigorous educational excellence to prepare graduates for whatever endeavors they choose, safety and security, support for those children with special needs and maintaining and upgrading school facilities. School safety is critically important and we have been in the forefront in RI, dramatically improving school security for all students.
We have improved our course offerings in STEAM related courses believing that most future careers will require familiarity with those skills. Graduates may have multiple job changes in their lives and I believe we should try to provide them with the best educational tools to enable them to adapt. Even graduates who choose not to go to college may change their minds later and should graduate not requiring remedial training later. It’s also very important to maintain and build a trusted relationship with the Town Council and taxpayers which we have done. A strong school district maintains and enhances property values
Isabelle Kelly
Position running for: School Committee
Office currently held: Portsmouth School Committee
Employment: Operations Manager
What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?
Having served two years on the Portsmouth School Committee, I am already familiar with the processes and responsibilities, which would allow me to effectively serve beginning on day one of my new term. Additionally, as the parent of school aged children, I want to do everything I can to ensure that every child in Portsmouth receives an equitable, quality public school education.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the Portsmouth school system and how would you approach improving the situation?
I think that providing thorough and effective mental health support is a hugely important issue that all schools struggle with now, especially since the beginning of the pandemic.
In order to adequately educate the entire student body, mental health challenges need to be addressed with proper resources and support.
It is these concerns that led me to become the chair of the health and wellness subcommittee, a role I hope to continue.
Emily Skeehan
Position running for: Portsmouth School Committee
Current office held (if any):
Occupation: Marine Scientist
What makes you the best candidate for the position you are seeking?
As a graduate of the public school system and mother of a child in the school district, I have a vested interest in ensuring high quality education for our community. It’s important to me to make sure all children are provided with the best education possible. One that provides opportunities equitably and stresses STEM, hands on experiential learning, and social emotional resiliency. As a marine scientist, I hope the district builds off the success of the AgInnovation Farm, Melville’s outdoor classroom, and the high school’s strong science and math curriculum to ensure our students are prepared for tomorrow’s challenges. I have worked at the local, state, federal and international levels of government, as well as in the private and non-profit sectors. I hope to bring my interdisciplinary experience and creativity to the Portsmouth School Committee and serve on the Policy subcommittee.
What do you believe is the biggest issue facing the Portsmouth school system and how would you approach improving the situation?
To address the mental health crisis, we need innovation and additional resources to support social and emotional learning. Students can't be successful learners without emotional intelligence, which depends on cultural responsiveness and an understanding of one’s own feelings and the emotions of others. As part of building equitable schools, teachers, administrators, and students need to acquire emotional literacy skills so everyone is more receptive to learning. In addition, I want to advocate for effective government and community oversight so that there is accountability in our schools.
This article originally appeared on Newport Daily News: Meet the candidates for Portsmouth School Committee
