Letter: Meo and Simpkins will protect and support the education of all North Smithfield students

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I am writing this letter to express my strongest support for North Smithfield School Committee candidates Jean Meo and Chris Simpkins. Let me tell you why. As a member of the North Smithfield School Committee for 8 years and as a research specialist at the RI Department of Education, I have a unique perspective on the culture and climate of our districts’ and our states’ schools. No one can dispute that the world is changing rapidly but for students, this change is simply overwhelming. According to SurveyWorks, a statewide perception survey administered to all students, families and educators in RI public schools, our North Smithfield students in grades 6-12 tell us: 31 percent felt sad or hopeless in the last year, 41 percent say someone will bully them online, and only 22 percent say they see their family culture and personal identities reflected in the texts they read at school. To be clear, this mental health crisis is state and nationwide, and it does not discriminate. All genders, all races, and all grades feel this way.

The good news is that we can see the data over time. Thanks to great school leadership, students’ perceptions are moving in the right direction, but we are at a pivotal point. We can continue to move toward valuing and protecting every child in our schools or we can allow partisan adult politics to spill into our students’ educational lives. That’s why we need leaders like Jean and Chris to continue this progress. They understand this new reality and are ready to tackle it head-on.

I’ve known Jean Meo for more than 10 years. In that time, I’ve admired her staunch advocacy for all children, whether in her capacity as co-chair of the Wellness Committee, member of the district strategic planning committee or her participation in and support for differently abled students. Never in this time have I seen her shy away from difficult discussions or situations. She leads by example and understands that the first responsibility of the school committee is to protect all children so that they come to school ready to learn. Jean is religious but her faith is hers alone – as it should be.  

I’ve known Chris Simpkins for about 5 years. As a young father, I watched him become more and more involved in the community; running for School Committee and serving as co-chair of the Halliwell Review Committee. He’s embraced the town by immersing himself in cub scouts and little league. And he understands education and technology. He’s that perfect kind of nerd that develops a scholarship application for college goers, incorporates AI into Instagram videos, and 3d prints really cool lego guys. In other words, he gets the 21st century learner, but he also recognizes the pitfalls of those same technologies.

Together Jean and Chris are a vote for ensuring that every student can learn in places where they feel safe, respected and included. We should expect as much from all candidates running for office in this great town.

Peg Votta

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