Moms for Chariho
Jessica Purcell & Karen Reynolds
We’re running to keep our seats because the Chariho School Committee needs vocal advocates, not adversaries. We put students first to make decisions about policies, curriculum, and resources that will move Chariho forward.The Chariho School Committee needs moms like us.
As School Committee members, and moms of Chariho students, we serve to keep our schools strong and always improving.All students deserve a high-quality comprehensive education that builds a strong foundation and goes beyond the basics.
Invested in Chariho's Success
Strong public schools are crucial for a strong community. We're active leaders who work to address the challenges of the Chariho Regional School District, while balancing the needs of all stakeholders.
Jessica Purcell
Jessica Purcell is a small business owner of a graphic design studio. She is mom of two Chariho students, one at Richmond Elementary, and one at the Middle School.Jessica has been serving on the School Committee since July 2023, after she won a six-month battle for her rightful appointment per a specific procedure in the Richmond Charter. Jessica serves as Chair of the Health and Wellness Subcommittee, and is a member of the Budget Subcommittee, the Policy Subcommittee, and the Richmond Safety Team.
Karen Reynolds
Karen Reynolds has been a teacher for 30 years, and currently teaches 7th grade in Exeter-West Greenwich School District. She is mom of two Chariho graduates, and currently has a third child enrolled in the Middle School.Karen has been serving on the School Committee since she was appointed in November 2021, and is currently the Vice-Chair. Karen also serves on the Budget Subcommittee, Finance Subcommittee, and as the School Committee Rep on the Richmond School Improvement Team.
AS SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEMBERS, WE:
Put Students First When Making Decisions
Engage, Inform, and Empower Community Members to Participate
Collaborate with Leaders in our Schools, Towns, and State to Move Chariho Forward
Review and Evaluate Chariho Policies, Curriculum, and Resources to Ensure they Meet Student Needs and Legal Requirements
Advocate for a Fiscally Responsible Budget that Balances the Needs of All Stakeholders
Ensure Safe and Supportive Schools for Students and Staff
Support and Share the Core Values of Public Education
Vote Purcell & Reynolds
NOVEMBER 5, 2024
Early voting – October 16-November 4
chariho connects us
We met in the fall of 2021 at a Town Council Meeting. We were the only two candidates to apply for a vacant seat on the Chariho School Committee, after a member passed away. Karen was chosen to fill the vacancy by the Richmond Town Council. After the meeting, Jessica introduced herself and the two began to realize they shared many common values like their advocacy for high-quality public education that serves all students.We proudly represent Chariho as Richmond residents, and recognize the important role our Regional School District plays in forming a tri-town community that is able to offer students high-quality curriculum, and diverse learning opportunities that empower students to pursue the future of their dreams.The annual budget process is a vital obligation of the School Committee, and we work to ensure that residents are empowered and informed to participate. It is imperative that Chariho continue to improve it's transparent budget process so that more voters engage and make an informed decision every spring.We both worked in the Budget Subcommittee to address challenges and provide solutions that will improve the yearly budget process, and provide additional information year-round.We work to present the most fiscally responsible budget to taxpayers that also continues to meet all of Chariho’s contractual and legal obligations, while also meeting the needs of students, staff, and facilities. The average increase of the Chariho budget over the past five years has been 1.19%.We will focus on keeping public funds in public schools. Taxpayers should count on their tax dollars staying in their community as a local investment.
MOMS FOR CHARIHO
Jess and Karen know how important it is to keep their seats on the School Committee. Families in Richmond deserve representation on the School Committee that will put students first. The current balance of Richmond representatives is two members that do not have kids in our schools, along with Jess and Karen who do have kids in our schools. We need to maintain this important representation.Like many residents in Richmond, we understand that the true role of the School Committee is to work together for our students and our schools, and not to battle against a successful District.We encourage open dialogue about the real challenges of our schools, and recognize that criticism is part of that process. However, over the last few years, we have seen organized and carefully planned opposition to the Chariho administration, budget, and other district initiatives.The leaders of this opposition feed the flames of cultural and generational divides, along with disinformation as a means to sow distrust in our successful regional school district. Now they are attempting to commandeer the School Committee by campaigning for our seats.In addition to being frequent adversaries of the School District, the two opposing candidates campaigning for our seats don’t have kids in our schools.We’re running to keep our seats because the Chariho School Committee needs vocal advocates, not adversaries.We put students first to make decisions about policies, curriculum, and resources that will move Chariho forward.Please support moms of Chariho – Jess Purcell and Karen Reynolds for Chariho School Committee.
leading the charge to move chariho forward
We are committed to the next stages of the Chariho Capital Improvement Plan, which is necessary to meet legal requirements and to address our aging elementary schools that range from 75-90 years old with the maximum amount of state aid. Although a slim majority of voters did not support the bond for New School Construction with 76-81% state aid, we still need to develop a plan for repairs and improvements at the elementary schools. We both understand and advocate that the integrated preschool program and the elementary alternative education program will require special attention during this process.We continue to support a slow phase-out of Hope Valley Elementary, which addresses the decline in enrollment over the last 20 years, and the financial burden of maintaining four elementary schools in three towns.We support the $15M bond that will be on the November ballot that will provide funding for repairs and improvements on the Main Campus.
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© MOMS FOR CHARIHO // Friends of Jess Purcell // Friends of Karen Reynolds. All rights reserved.