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I would like to provide some additional information. I believe in transparency and have always worked for better communication. When I found out that there would be no forum at all in Warwick for the School Committee candidates, I called and emailed the Warwick Beacon to request that they hold a forum. I was told that there wasn't enough time to put it together. I responded to John Howell that if no forum would be held that I would host the event myself because I believed it was important that the citizens of Warwick get a chance to meet all the candidates. He responded that he would call me back and would try to host the event. I received a call a short time later that there would be a Warwick Beacon hosted forum. This is only one small example of how important transparency and communication is to me. This event would not have happened if I didn't work to make it happen.

It is unfortunate that a question was asked that I could not answer due to the fact that it is a personnel issue. It should be noted that all of the other candidates agreed with me and would not comment on it because it was a personnel matter. Over the last 4 years, I have always worked for better communication. I pushed for the creation of the Parent Communication Advisory Committee. I volunteered to be the School Committee member to sit on this committee that meets each month. I always listened to the parents and have resolved many issues over the years for parents who have come to the committee to voice issues.

One issue that was voiced was the science program at Cedar Hill. This issue was brought to my attention by Jennifer Ahearn several years ago. I invited the head of Science and Math for the schools to the meeting to listen and explain the program. I visited the school, talked with the principal, visited the classrooms and consulted with the curriculum coordinator and brought the issues to their attention so it could be researched and changes were made to make improvements.

I also report back to administration any issues that arise at the PCAC meetings. I have brought forward bullying issues, transportation issues, Graduation by Proficiency issues, ALAP issues, budget issues and countless other issues. There is more work to do. I would like to assure the citizens of Warwick that I work hard and I do more than "espouse greater communication and transparency", I strive to make education better and have actually created a way for Parents and the community to get more information. I attended the Parent Communication Advisory Committee tonight. This subcommittee meets the First Thursday prior to the Regular School Committee meetings.

Communication is a priority for me.

When I ran for office in 2008, many people told me I was crazy to decide to run when the schools were in bad shape and there had been 2 years of deficits. These deficits totaled about $3.2 Million. Good decision making allowed me to be able to pay back the city the full deficit amount and repair many of the schools that needed work during my 4 years on the committee. I am not afraid of a challenge and wanted to make sure the schools improved for my kids' education.

Since being elected, I helped balance the budget each year. The two biggest projects of the last 4 years were the Pilgrim Roof replacement and the beginning of Fire Code upgrades this year. Each of these projects came in within their budgets. There are still 2 more years of Fire Code upgrades necessary to bring the schools up to New State requirements.

When I arrived on the committee, the Warwick Independent School Employee (WISE) union had been working without a contract for several years. I helped resolve the contract and this lead to union concessions, savings for the schools and most important for the employees, stability. The WISE Union was the first union in Warwick to agree to a co-pay of 20%.

Last year, the teacher contract was reaching an end. I helped the school committee and the teachers to reach a temporary agreement that would save the city money again. The one year agreement consisted of the teachers paying a 20% co-pay for the year and an agreement to review and shape the RI Dept of Education evaluation system. As the year passed and we reached the end of our temporary agreement, I helped settle the teacher contract which allowed us to permanently secure the co-pay and for the first time in years modify the Special Education Weighting in Warwick allowing us to continue to service the Special Education students appropriately while saving money.

These are only a few of the major accomplishments I have helped the committee achieve.

It is unfortunate that despite the hundreds of questions I have answered for the Warwick Beacon and hundreds of hours I have spent helping families in Warwick, the Warwick Beacon is not supporting me because I will not answer one question at this time. It is my hope that citizens of Warwick support me on election day because I have done a great job and will work to improve the schools. Together we can make things better.

Patrick Maloney

From: Ahearn and Testa for schools

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