By Mike Rego
EAST PROVIDENCE — With much less fanfare than their counterparts on the council, the same five sitting members of the East Providence School Committee were inaugurated for the 2016 session on Monday night, Dec. 5, at city hall.
Ward 1 representative Charlie Tsonos, Ward 2's Tony Ferreira and Ward 3's Nate Cahoon each ran unopposed this cycle. Ward 4 rep Jessica Beauchaine defeated Chris Dias in a tough re-election fight to earn a second term while Joel Monteiro won a third term as the At-Large representative with a victory over former committee member Chrissy Rossi.
Mr. Tsonos will for a third time be the chairman after he was re-appointed by the members Monday. He previously served in the role from 2010-12. He did not seek re-election before being voted back on the committee and appointed as chair in 2014.
Ms. Beauchaine was selected as the vice chair and Mr. Cahoon was tabbed as the committee clerk.
In once again accepting the chair, Mr. Tsonos thanked his colleagues while adding, "I think this committee has done some very good things, outstanding things the last few years."
Following the swearing-in ceremony, the committee broke for an executive session, which lasted for approximately 45 minutes and where it was speculated the body would possibly discuss a contract extension for superintendent Kathy Crowley. However, when the members returned, Mr. Cahoon reported out no votes were taken and that the minutes were voted to be sealed.
Reached after the ceremony, Mr. Tsonos confirmed no vote was taken on the superintendent's extension, though he said any member of the committee was free to add the item to an agenda for a future meeting. The committee is next scheduled to gather on Tuesday, Dec. 15.