I am writing in support of Kendra Wilson Muenter for Newport School Committee.
Kendra has been a dedicated supporter of the Newport Public Schools for well over 12 years. She has served on the PTO for Pell Elementary School and Thompson Middle School and as a parent advisor on the school committee. She is currently an engaged parent at Rogers High School, where her child will graduate in June 2027. Add to that a stint as a school committee member from 2022 to 2024, and her commitment to our schools cannot be doubted. And now she is returning to the arena because there is still work to do.
The school committee’s job is threefold: creating and approving the budget, writing policy, and holding the superintendent accountable. Kendra understands that school committee members are not individual agents. Having served as vice chair, she will bring her experience to the workings of the committee — which can be dreary and tedious, but are so valuable to lead our schools to progress. She is acutely aware that to move any policy forward, a school committee member needs the support of other members of the committee and of members of the city council. Her existing relationships with members of the city will serve her and our students well.
Kendra is not naive about the challenges that will come before the new school committee: from hiring a new superintendent, to implementing policies drawn up by school committee members, to the threat of ICE, and last but not least student safety and performance. These are challenges she currently lives as a parent. She also lives the joys of our students, who deserve to be put first. She knows that it is up to the adults who hold the purse, who write policy, who teach, to push for changes, resources and accountability.
Kendra is one of the smartest people I know. She is a strategic thinker who can see beyond instant gratification — impossible in education — and beyond the city limits of Newport, and who can speak to all the forces that affect public education.
In her previous role as vice chair, Kendra proved herself to be thoughtful, collaborative, an effective leader, and focused on driving real results. Kendra Wilson Muenter has my endorsement, and I hope that you will grant her your vote.
Aida Neary
Newport
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