Dinsmore to Replace Colasante on School Committee
By Cynthia Drummond for BRVCA
December 9, 2024
RICHMOND – Following the resignation of Kathryn Colasante from the Chariho School Committee, Louise Dinsmore, who received the next-highest number of votes is expected to replace her as one of the Richmond members.
Incumbents Jessica Purcell and Karen Reynolds, both Democrats, received the greatest number of votes for the two open committee seats in the November general election, butDinsmore, a Republican, was a close third, losing by 27 votes.
Reached Monday, Dinsmore said she had not been notified of the School Committee resignation and subsequent vacancy, or her possible appointment, and therefore, could not comment.
However, Colasante’s Dec. 6 letter of resignation, obtained by the BRVCA, states that she is expecting Dinsmore to replace her.
“I am hereby submitting my written resignation as a Richmond representative on the Chariho School Committee effective with the appointment by the Council and the swearing in by the Clerk of my successor in accordance with Article 2, Section 5 of the Town Charter,” Colasante wrote. “As the Council's next meeting is December 17, 2024 and candidate Louise Dinsmore is ‘the unelected candidate who received the next greatest number of votes’ for School Committee, her appointment and swearing in will ensure a seamless transition.
I enjoyed and appreciate the two years I served on the committee and for the substantial time I was able to devote to the work. Now, however, competing responsibilities have arisen which would prevent me from committing the same time and energy over the next two years. I am grateful we have a passionate and energetic candidate available to step into this important position. As it is said in Chariho, EXPECT THE BEST, I do certainly expect the best work to come from the Chariho School Committee in the service of our town and its youth.”
Dinsmore’s Appointment
Town Council members are expected to approve Dinsmore for the School Committee seat, a protocol that was affirmed by aRhode Island Supreme Court decision in 2023.
Jessica Purcell challenged the Town Council’s appointment of Clay Johnson to fill a School Committee seat, arguing thatunder the provisions of the Home Rule Charter, as the next-highest vote-getter, she should fill the seat. The Court ruled in her favor.
Reached Monday, Purcell said,
“I have the utmost confidence that the current Town Council will avoid the mistakes of the past and follow the procedure in our Charter to approve the next highest vote-getter,” she said. “My specific case of being disenfranchised from my rightful position on the School Committee for six months has set a powerful precedent. We’ve had close local elections in Richmond and what’s truly important is how we come together to serve the town and our schools whether elected or appointed to public service.”
Town Council President Samantha Wilcox also cited Purcell’s 2023 court case as being instrumental in adding clarity to the procedure.
“I’m extremely grateful Jess Purcell fought the matter when she was denied a similar appointment in 2023,” she said.
“She stood up for all voters, including Ms. Dinsmore, who is now in the exact position Jess was then. I would expect this council to follow the charter. I believe we would have, even without the events of 2023.”
Outgoing School Committee President Catherine Giusti said she was sorry to learn of Colasante’s resignation.
“I'm disappointed in Kathryn's decision but wish her all the best,” she said. “I'm confident that the Richmond Town Councilwill follow its charter and appoint Ms. Dinsmore as the next top vote-getter.”
Giusti also noted that she believed Dinsmore, a frequent critic of the school district, would find that serving on the committee is different from observing from the sidelines.
“Ms. Dinsmore will find, as most do, that campaigning for a seat on the School Committee and governing from it are vastly different,” she said. “Lobbing criticism from the public podium is easy. Supporting a School District, as that is the charge of all School Committee members, is much harder. She has made it clear that her aim is to cut the budget via level funding. She will find that the only places to achieve deep cuts are in staffing and programs The weight of making drastic cuts that make Charihoweaker will be borne by Ms. Dinsmore, and I suspect she may find that not all of the seated Republicans want to join her in bearing it.”
With Giusti stepping down, Reynolds, the Vice Chair of the School Committee, will serve as Acting Chair until a Chair has been selected.
Reynolds said she and the rest of the committee had been notified Monday morning of Colasante’s resignation.
“My understanding is that as Vice Chair, I will chair the next School Committee meeting, which is December 17, and as far as I know, the votes will happen on December 17th, after Louise is appointed” she said. “I think the Town Council has a meeting on the 17th, so the most they can do is appoint Louise at that meeting. I’m not sure when Louise would be sworn in. I think she can get sworn in after she’s been appointed, so if the Town Council appoints her in a week, then she can be sworn in.”
