Three years ago, as a principal on an eighth-grade winter field trip to Winter Carnival in Quebec City, we were regaled by the Parliament historian regarding the province’s rich history. Their motto (the title of this LTE) “I remember” inspires Canadians to recall the many benefits and difficulties of its diverse past.

As I consider the current state of the Barrington School Committee, I think it wise to temporarily appropriate this particular Canadien motto for our own. Although I think it better to refer to it in the plural “nous nous souvenons” (we remember).

So what is it that I (we) remember? To “the Doctor” and her three acolytes, may I say with little due respect, you’ve all done enough collective damage to our storied school system that it’s time for you to consider the next chapter in your life.

The declension began with the adoption and promulgation of the Common Core curriculum in 2016. I was the only SC member who fought against it, and while none of you served at that time, you certainly cheered on its greater implementation upon joining office.

The next two years you roiled the entire town with the now debunked and failed school start time initiative, for which no data or metrics existed then or now to support the contention that our students are or would be better off. And let’s not forget the Health and Wellness subcommittee’s recommendations to reduce the high school lunch menu to a few low calorie, tasteless and uninspiring choices.

In August 2021 in the middle of a pandemic and while most Rhode Islanders were on vacation and the stealth de-leveling was proceeding apace, you were busy with Castle-Booz cooking up a new multi-year multi-million dollar school infrastructure plan that was presented in the first week. Nous nous souvenons! And then you held an “informational session” via Zoom on a January night starting around 5 p.m. ostensibly to obtain input. Bravo! I’m sure that was the ideal time for parents and other interested residents to hear more about this $60MM plan. And we cannot forget the “full legislative hearing” on said plan that occurred Monday, March 21 at 8 a.m. in the MS auditorium. And that’s transparency?

How could we forget the newest sub-committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Equity? I’m still looking for the latest educational data driven research that suggests students will derive any positive benefit from this. Of course it doesn’t exist as it’s simply progressive agitprop.

Oh you weren’t done yet! Add to the above the ever controversial mask and vax mandates, teacher terminations and recent reductions to the Honors courses. Finally, we won’t forget that you’ve never made a single mid-course correction! As hundreds of parents have rightly expressed outrage at every turn, for years and at multiple meetings, you’ve sat silently staring back with nary a concern or an acknowledgement. Nous nous souvenons!

A final word to the SC members. I’ve placed you into one of three categories based on my assessment of your performance. To “the Doctor”, you’ve lead the group for far too long. I’m sorry your term is not up this November. I place you in the “hopeless” category. To her three compadres, I place you in the “redemption is possible” category.

To the two of you who are up for re-election this November, it will never happen. Impossible. Go out on a positive note. Vote to re-instate all teachers. Let the community see you make a good decision. A vote to call the teachers back is a vote to begin the healing. We need it desperately! And to you whose term is up in two years, I encourage you to join them.

Finally, to the only “guy” on the SC, from what information I’ve been able to garner, I’m placing you in the category of “hopeful”. It seems as though you’re willing to do the right thing. Take this opportunity to lead. Vote to return the teachers. Vote to begin the healing!

Nous nous souvenons! Et nous voterons en novembre!

Scott Fuller
Barrington