NORTH SMITHFIELD – A former Town Council member with a history of volunteerism and community involvement outlined her qualifications this week and reasons for seeking a seat on the North Smithfield School Committee.
Terri (Teresa) Bartomioli has been a resident of North Smithfield for the last 33 years and served on the Town Council from 2017 through 2020. A current member of the Budget Committee, Bartomioli served on the Juvenile Hearing Board in town from 1998 through 2006, and has also participated in other boards and committees.
“Throughout my town government and community involvement, I have always been an advocate for responsible and accountable government at all levels, and feel we must continue to work as a team with town leaders,” Bartomioli said.
Bartomioli has run North Smithfield Fence, Inc. with her husband Michael for the past 18 years.
“I understand the needs of small businesses and do not believe the schools are teaching our students basic skills to join the work force if (they are) not going on to college,” Bartomioli said. “We must provide additional opportunity to those who find interest in, enjoy, and a have desire for vocational studies. This needs further encouragement, as not every student wants to go to college.”
“It is critical that we encourage those students and provide them with a vocational opportunity within our system, to go along with our incredible music program, the arts, and our athletic program,” she said.
Bartomioli’s two children graduated from the North Smithfield educational system, and she said she feels it prepared them for the challenges they would later face, and led to their successes today, by ensuring literacy, mathematical understanding, responsibility, accountability, and hard work.
“These past few years parents were not able to be as involved within the community nor educational system as much as they have been in the past,” Bartomioli said. “It is critical that we continue to advocate for parental involvement for our children to succeed.”
“I will work to create an environment where parents have a choice, their participation is welcomed, and their voices are heard,” said Bartomioli.
What a well rounded credit to the community, we would be lucky to have such talent looking out for
the needs and support of the students, as well as the concerns of their parents that have been set aside
during the three ring circus of the past two years. It’s nice to see someone with experience based of facts and logic throw their hat into the ring. Our children deserve this, especially those in special directed programs and in advanced programs who are the brass ring of local academics. How much better our young talent will flourish by instituting curricular promoting excellence and competition for advance talent, instead of lowering the bar, and embracing mediocrity. Challenge them to aspire to greatness with much more advance studies and opportunities.