EAST PROVIDENCE — The first Tuesday following the first Monday of the year was inauguration day both in city and at the State House, January 5, as two new members took their oaths of office on the School Committee as did a pair of first-time elected officials from the East Providence delegation in the General Assembly.

East Providence Probate Court Judge Maria Ferro-Deaton administered the oath of office to the School Committee members, two of whom — Max Brandle and Jenni Azanero — were elected initially at the November 2020 General Election.

Mr. Brandle defeated four-term incumbent Tony Ferreira for the Ward 2 seat and Ms. Azanero beat Frank Fogarty for the open Ward 3 position vacated by Karen Oliveira, who chose not to seek re-election.

“I’m just really grateful to the residents of Ward 2 for electing me. It’s just an incredible opportunity for me. It’s just still surreal. I still can believe I’m sitting here right now, so that’s really humbling,” Mr. Brandle said. “I look forward to working with everybody here as well as being an active listener to my constituents.”

Said Ms. Azanero, “I’d like to thank everyone in Ward 3 for electing me for this incredible opportunity. I feel incredibly humbled. And thank you to my family and friends that have gotten me here to this point today.”

Incumbents Joel Monteiro, Jessica Beauchaine and Charlie Tsonos, returning to the committee for their fifth, fourth and fourth terms, respectively, were also sworn in Tuesday.

Following the inauguration, the committee voted on its officers. Mr. Monteiro was nominated and supported to become the new chair of the body, replacing Mr. Tsonos. Mr. Monteiro was previously chair during his first term from 2012-14, but was replaced when Mr. Tsonos, elected in 2010 who then vacated his Ward 1 seat to run for the General Assembly, returned to the committee in 2014.

“Thank you members. I appreciate the support and confidence you've entrusted in me. And I look forward to working with you and being a good chair for the committee,” Mr. Monteiro said, adding later, “Congratulations again to the School Committee, and I look forward to a very successful term working with the very dedicated members here.”

Ms. Beauchaine was nominated and supported as vice chair. Mr. Brandle was nominated and supported for the position of clerk for the committee.

The School Committee inauguration took place at Martin Middle School with limited attendance due to COVID-19 health and safety protocols and included remarks from Superintendent Kathryn Crowley and Mayor Bob DaSilva.

Superintendent Crowley said she regretfully couldn’t attend the ceremony because of the pandemic. She commended City Clerk Samantha Burnett for putting the event together under the difficult circumstance presented. The superintendent welcomed members new and returning, reminding them of the importance of what the district faces at the present, while also maintaining a keen focus on the future.

“As I represent the administration and staff of the district, I look forward to working with you to make East Providence schools the best they can possibly can be,” Superintendent Crowley said to close her remarks. “Good luck to you all. Stay healthy. And again thank you for running for this very prestigious office and remember ‘Townie Pride’ never sleeps.”

Mayor DaSilva noted the important role the School Committee has in city government, especially with COVID-19 still very much at the forefront.

“I know that this committee, the City Council, the school administration and my administration together will continue to navigate during these uncertain times for the betterment of our students’ future and for the community at large,” Mayor DaSilva added.

On Smith Hill, Rep. Brianna E. Henries (D-Dist. 64) and Sen. Cynthia Mendes (D-Dist. 18, East Providence, Pawtucket) were sworn into their respective chambers.

Rep. Henries was one of 14 new members of the House of Representatives who took the oath of office. She defeated one-term incumbent Joe Serodio in the 2020 Democratic Primary then ran unopposed at the November General Election.

Sen. Mendes was one of eight new members of the Senate. She, likewise, defeated four-term incumbent and Senate Finance Committee chair Bill Conley in the September Democratic Primary and also ran without an opponent in the General.

The duo was joined by incumbents Reps. Kathryn Kazarian (D-Dist. 63), Gregg Amore (D-Dist. 65) and Liana Cassar (D-Dist. 66, East Providence, Barrington) and Sens. Valerie Lawson (D-Dist. 14) and Cynthia Coyne (D-Dist. 32, East Providence, Barrington, Bristol) in the city’s Assembly contingent.

— East Providence Post and eastbayri.com staff photographer Rich Dionne shot the accompanying gallery of photos.