Following a script - or maybe not - the Chariho School Committee elects Louise Dinsmore as Chair

"I... want to acknowledge Catherine Colosante, who served this committee with distinction and integrity," said Dinsmore. "We owe our gratitude to Catherine for her service..."

See part one of this story here: There were shenanigans at the latest Chariho Regional School District meeting.

On Tuesday evening, the Chariho Regional School Committee held its second meeting under a new 7-5 Republican majority. Chariho is a regionalized school District with representatives from the Towns of Charlestown, Richmond, and Hopkinton. The School Committee is made up of four persons from each town. As expected, the School Committee elected conservative Republican Louise Dinsmore, co-founder of the Forgotten Taxpayers PAC, former Chair of the Richmond Republican Town Committee, and Chariho Rotary Club board member, as its new Chair. Dinsmore also signed onto the Moms for Liberty Pledge while running for office.

Readers might remember that one month ago, in apparent contravention of the Chariho Act, the 1958 State Law that formed and governs the regionalized school district, the committee voted 7-5 to table the election of a new Chair. The Chariho Act states that a new Chair must be chosen at the first meeting following the election, and the rotation of the Chair meant that the person selected had to be from Richmond. Sadly, that law has no enforcement method - there are no fines to be assessed for violating the Chariho Act, and the legal remedy in this case is difficult to determine. So, the Chariho Act can be violated freely, pending action by the General Assembly.

Throughout the first meeting, Republicans were coy about their motives in not selecting a new Chair. It was the last meeting attended by Kathryn Colasante, who stepped down and allowed Louise Dinsmore to take her seat. Colasante stressed that she was not stepping down to pave the way for Dinsmore to take control of the school district and that she had spoken to a lawyer before her decision. Accusations were made that Republicans on the School Committee may have violated the Open Meetings Act - and a complaint has been sent to the Attorney General - but these complaints can take months to investigate. Even if a violation is found, it is hard to imagine the legal remedy.

Whatever plans the Republican majority made or didn’t make did not deter them from electing Louise Dinsmore as Chair. Here’s the video:

The meeting began with Karen Reynolds acting as Chair. The following transcript has been edited for clarity.

Karen Reynolds [Richmond—D]: While I understand that many of you are here for the Chair election, I hope you’ll stay for the remainder of the meeting, which will include the introduction of the fiscal year 2026 budget and the high school program of studies... I understand that feelings run deep and that some are going to leave this evening feeling like their side lost. We need to put those feelings aside and focus on the priorities of this committee: the students, the District, and the taxpayers. Tonight will be a beginning rather than an ending. We must find ways to work together, requiring us to put political labels aside.

We must listen to one another and continually ask, "Is this best for all students, our District, and our community?” My expectations for this meeting remain the same as for every other meeting. We’re adults and will conduct ourselves as the role models we must be for our students. Please refrain from outbursts or talking to or over one another. We have a lot to do this evening, and many of the members in the audience and on this committee need to get up early and go to work.

With that in mind, I would also like to take this opportunity to share the process under Robert Rules of Parliamentary Procedure. At the last meeting, I was nominated as Chair, and that vote failed. Under the rules, I cannot be nominated again unless a member who voted against me makes that nomination. The motion, discussion, and vote to table the Chair vote came after the motion to nominate me. At this time, I will take nominations for Chair of the Chariho School Committee.

Polly Hopkins [Hopkinton—R]: I would like to nominate Louise Dinsmore.

Louise Dinsmore is an ideal choice to Chair our school committee going forward. Louise has held many leadership roles in her nonprofit work spanning over three decades. Those decades have had a lasting impact on communities throughout Rhode Island. We are lucky to have her as a school committee member and would greatly benefit from her leadership. I could list her resume, the communities she’s touched with her professional contributions, and the advocacy she’s implemented to save the taxpayers of Richmond their hard-earned dollars. But I will tell you why I want to organize the school committee under her leadership. She’s a fierce advocate for children, a fierce advocate for the taxpayer, and a fierce advocate for the community. And did you know she was a kidney donor? I didn’t. That is a trifecta of importance, in my opinion. Louise is approachable, incredibly intelligent, gracious, and a fantastic mother. We should be so lucky to benefit from this lasting impact over the next couple of years. I nominate Louise Dinsmore for the Chair of the Chariho School committee.

Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: I want to state a concern you touched upon. At the last meeting, we decided to table this vote until Ms. Dinsmore could be seated, but we didn’t table all the votes. There was no tabling discussion when we were discussing Karen as a nominee. It was moved forward without any discussion. Shouldn’t she participate in all the votes if she intended to let Ms. Dinsmore participate? As Karen said, those who supported Karen could not make that motion. It would be up to someone who denied it. But I would request that we retake that vote, not to change the result, but to be true to your words, which was that you wanted Ms. Dinsmore to be present. She’s now present. I don’t understand why one vote was okay and another was not.

The vote succeeds 7-4. Charlestown Independent Craig Louzon abstained. Dinsmore and Reynolds switch seats.

Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Before we move on, I have a few comments because I know we have a lot of business tonight. First, I want to thank Karen Reynolds for her outstanding service to the Chriho School Committee as our Vice Chair for the past 18 months. I’m confident that I speak for all school committee members and the community to express our appreciation for your leadership and calm demeanor. You have our respect, Karen, for your unparalleled dedication to this body, the students, staff, and parents. I also want to acknowledge Catherine Colosante, who served this committee with distinction and integrity. She was always prepared for meetings, asked thoughtful questions, and considered all facts before making decisions. We owe our gratitude to Catherine for her service as well.

To those of you who are thinking, “I can’t believe she’s prepared remarks; she must have preplanned this vote with a quorum,” - colleagues who know me know that I am a planner, and in the event I was elected Chair, I wanted to be sure to express the right words. Thank you to the school committee members for electing me as your Chair. I truly appreciate your confidence in me. For those who did not vote for me, I will do my best to earn your confidence and respect for those in our community who have expressed your frustration relative to the possibility of my becoming Chair because a majority of the voters of Richmond didn’t elect me. To that, I will say that I ran for office, giving 110% for five months of my life, and came just 27 votes shy or 0.3% short, Receiving 2,132 votes.

I will tackle this role as I do every other aspect of my professional life, giving 110% to this body, our students, and our community.

Now that I have been appointed by the Richmond Town Council and sworn in, I am an equal member of this body. This is similar to Ms. Purcell, who was first appointed to this committee, and Ms. Reynolds, who was appointed by the Richmond Town Council several years ago. The community and the school committee unconditionally and without reservation welcomed them to this body. Now, I ask for that same kindness, that same grace, and that same inclusion. Today, moving forward in our meetings, I will have three sticky notes before me to guide me in this role. The note on the left has the word kindness. Kindness is one of my core values as a human being. I will treat each of you kindly and expect the same in return. As public officials, we must uphold the highest standard of conduct, setting an example for our students and communities.

The second note I have here is respect, which is also one of my core values. Although I have been personally spoken ill of in newspapers and by members of the community, I respect your opinion. I ask for that same respect in return. Just because I may disagree with your position doesn’t give any of us the license to be disrespectful or mean-spirited. We must do better.

The sticky note in the middle says, students. Students are the center of our work here. Their safety, wellbeing, and academic achievement are at the forefront of everything we do.

When I ran for office, I was sincere in my platform, highlighting academic excellence. At its centerpiece, we should be the best school district in Rhode Island in academics, career, technical education, athletics, and student safety. We must drive as a community and as a committee to be our best - helping every student realize their highest potential. My mother always told me, Louise, when you think you’ve done your best, keep striving to do better, to be better. When you think you have nothing left in the tank, dig deeper. As a community, we must strive to help our students dig deeper and achieve their highest potential.

As we set our sights on being the best, we must find a balance with affordability for our taxpayers and residents - not trying to defund public education, but by working together as partners to look at the big picture with a fresh perspective. As school committee members, I ask that we all collaborate with our administrators, staff, parents, and students to be our best. We all play a unique and critical role in achieving the goals of academic excellence in affordability. Together, we can elevate Chariho to a level of excellence in being the best it’s ever been. Thank you.

I will accept nominations for vice chairperson, and that vice chair will be a member of Charlestown. Are there any nominations for Vice Chair?

Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: I nominate Linda Lyall as vice chair.

Linda previously served as Chair of the school committee from 2020 to 2022. Is that what it was? Yeah, I think that positions her well as vice chair.

Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Any other discussion?

Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: If you’re not going to vote for Linda, you should discuss it. I think that was a problem we had of bad feelings I had from the previous nomination at the last meeting. You’re here as a public body member to discuss our agenda. So, if you do not support Linda, I’d like to hear why.

Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: I mean, I think everybody’s vote is in their personal preference,

Jessica Purcell [Richmond—D]: But you’re a public servant. You’re a member of a public body.

Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Understood. But I mean, not everything has to be discussed. If somebody has a personal preference, then they have their personal preference.

Donna Chambers [Charlestown—I]: If you do not vote for Linda, you should say why you don't feel she would be appropriate as a vice chair. I think that it’s important to know why.

Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Okay. That’s your opinion. Any other discussion? Okay, we will bring it to a vote.

The vote failed.

Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: I’ll entertain nominations from the floor for vice chair Polly.

Polly Hopkins [Hopkinton—R]: I’d like to nominate Laura Chapman. [Charlestown [R]]

I’ve had to get to know Laura Chapman in a short time. I have discovered a collaborative and intelligent change agent. It’s apparent to all who attend our meetings that she does a lot of research and preparation to tackle topics brought to the school committee. And that work pays off for us, the community, and all the children who attend our schools throughout the district. Her questions are exact, thoughtful, and also thought-provoking. It’s refreshing to hear intelligent takes from outside the box. These are the attributes I look for in a leader. I nominate Laura Chapman to serve as the vice chair of the chair host school committee. Thank you.

Louise Dinsmore [Richmond—R]: Any further discussion? Okay. Seeing no further discussion. All in favor? All opposed? Any abstentions? The motion carries. Laura, congratulations.

The rest of the meeting was more ordinary, but there are some items to note:

• Dianne Tefft [Hopkinton—R] and newly elected Vice Chair Laura Chapman [Charlestown—R] were placed on the health and wellness subcommittee. Tefft signed the Moms for Liberty pledge.

• Lousie Dinsmore and Diane Tefft were added to the NEA-certified staff negotiation committee. That contract is up for negotiation this year.

• During the public forum, several people called out the shenanigans that led to the election of Dinsmore.

• Near the end of the forum, Polly Hopkins [Hopkinton—R] attempted to rewrite the minutes of the last meeting. The rewrite failed.