Coming up in about a month are elections for 3 of the 7 RISD Trustee spots. Place 2, up around Berkner, where incumbent Eron Linn faces two challenger; Place 4, where incumbent Regina Harris is unopposed; and Place 5, Lake Highlands, which is open after Karen Clardy's resignation last year. In Place 5, you have Kile Brown, Jan Stell, and Rachel McGowen.
According to my sources, things within the board are not nearly as exciting and dysfunctional as some would have you believe. The Board did not, despite the cheers of Team Right and wails of Team Left, run off Superintendent Stone. The fact that narrative is still going with all the super resignations across the state is pretty disappointing, but so it goes.
I don't know much about Place 2 and welcome anyone who does to comment. In Place 4, Harris has apparently done really good work coming into the Chairman role after Clardy quit. Having her back will be good.
Place 5. Oh Place 5. None of the 3 were really known entities coming into the race. None have been involved with the normal Lake Highlands service groups, or with much D10 city stuff. McGowan has been active, and apparently a bit polarizing, in PTAs in the district. Brown, an IT exec has had 3 kids graduate from LHHS in the recent past, and Stell is a long-time realtor who taught in the district (many many many moons ago).
Limited data points makes it tough to compare them. Stell has, in my opinion, separated herself from the other two in a negative manner. She is obviously trying to court Team Right, but does so in a fairly ham-handed manner. Including a quote from today that "there is no reason poor kids can't learn". I don't see her as someone who would have any influence in the Boardroom.
McGowan on the other hand is courting Team Left. She's a member of the the local anti-racist group, and there is a good correlation between her signs and Beto signs in yards. Her answers to questions, however, aren't all that different from Stell's, if significantly more polished.
Which brings us to Brown. He's not particularly exciting, but appears to be the most moderate of the three, with the most executive experience. Of the 3, I think he's the most fit to come in and lead right away, which will be important as hiring a new super is agenda item #1. He indicates that he sees the board in its proper role of governance, not directing day-to-days actions. He has my vote.
Here is a recording of the candidate forum from this morning at the Exchange Club. The forum kicks off around the 7 minute mark (with yours truly introducing the candidates and moderator).
According to my sources, things within the board are not nearly as exciting and dysfunctional as some would have you believe. The Board did not, despite the cheers of Team Right and wails of Team Left, run off Superintendent Stone. The fact that narrative is still going with all the super resignations across the state is pretty disappointing, but so it goes.
I don't know much about Place 2 and welcome anyone who does to comment. In Place 4, Harris has apparently done really good work coming into the Chairman role after Clardy quit. Having her back will be good.
Place 5. Oh Place 5. None of the 3 were really known entities coming into the race. None have been involved with the normal Lake Highlands service groups, or with much D10 city stuff. McGowan has been active, and apparently a bit polarizing, in PTAs in the district. Brown, an IT exec has had 3 kids graduate from LHHS in the recent past, and Stell is a long-time realtor who taught in the district (many many many moons ago).
Limited data points makes it tough to compare them. Stell has, in my opinion, separated herself from the other two in a negative manner. She is obviously trying to court Team Right, but does so in a fairly ham-handed manner. Including a quote from today that "there is no reason poor kids can't learn". I don't see her as someone who would have any influence in the Boardroom.
McGowan on the other hand is courting Team Left. She's a member of the the local anti-racist group, and there is a good correlation between her signs and Beto signs in yards. Her answers to questions, however, aren't all that different from Stell's, if significantly more polished.
Which brings us to Brown. He's not particularly exciting, but appears to be the most moderate of the three, with the most executive experience. Of the 3, I think he's the most fit to come in and lead right away, which will be important as hiring a new super is agenda item #1. He indicates that he sees the board in its proper role of governance, not directing day-to-days actions. He has my vote.
Here is a recording of the candidate forum from this morning at the Exchange Club. The forum kicks off around the 7 minute mark (with yours truly introducing the candidates and moderator).
