To the editor:

It has come to my attention that a letter by Devyn Smith, published on your website, includes two demonstrably false claims about me. In the interest of giving voters factual information, I submit the following corrections:

Mr. Smith writes: “Margaret Reid supports the administration’s decision to prioritize optional Pre-K expansion over a classroom for third-graders.”  A cursory glance at last week’s Barrington Times will provide the following statement from me: “I am a strong proponent of universal Pre-K. That said, the district cannot expand offerings until the space crisis has been alleviated, whether by new buildings or rented pods. For now, we will have to budget for outplacement, which is a very expensive, and hopefully temporary, solution.” All of my statements about this difficult situation have been consistent.

Mr. Smith further writes that I “was the only parent to speak at a school committee meeting in favor of the removal of honors classes.” Completely untrue. I never spoke at a school committee meeting about honors classes. In fact, it has been years since I spoke at a school committee meeting at all. In letters I have written to the School Committee (which were not public comment) and in conversations, I have consistently advocated for special needs students to have access to the full curriculum. It is unfortunate that a call for equity should be met with such resentment and so persistently and intentionally distorted. Voters can find my position on Honors classes and De-Leveling in the recent forum at LWVRI.org or on my own website, MargaretReid02806.com.

Voters, please get your information on all candidates from reliable sources. Mr. Smith has proven he is not such a source.

Thank you,

Margaret Reid

Barrington