Haroian chosen to fill Ward 2 seat on School Committee

By PAM SCHIFF
Posted 9/18/19

By PAM SCHIFF Kristen Haroian has been appointed to fill the Ward 2 seat on the city's School Committee. The committee on Monday voted 3-2 to select her from a field of five candidates for the post, which was vacated by Stephanie Culhane's resignation in

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Haroian chosen to fill Ward 2 seat on School Committee

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Kristen Haroian has been appointed to fill the Ward 2 seat on the city’s School Committee.

The committee on Monday voted 3-2 to select her from a field of five candidates for the post, which was vacated by Stephanie Culhane’s resignation in August.

The selection came following a public interview process, during which the candidates had an opportunity to provide a personal statement before fielding questions from committee members.

Haroian has lived in Cranston since 2007. She is a member of the Juvenile Hearing Board, an active volunteer in the community and a member of the Democratic Ward Committee. She spoke about the stories she hears from students at the Juvenile Hearing Board and the struggles they face at home, school and out in the world.

“I’m very thankful for this opportunity to serve,” she said. “I see my role as a School Committee member as a willing set of ears for all children, their parents and teachers of the district. I promise to work with the committee to improve our education system in Cranston.”

In addition to Haroian, interest in the position had been formally expressed by Suzanne Arena, Aniece Germain, Dennis Mullen and Tim Lehnert.

Arena withdrew her candidacy during Monday’s meeting and expressed support for Germain, saying she would bring a new, effective and diverse voice to the committee.

Dan Wall, who represents Ward 6 and serves as the committee’s chairman, said the process of filling the Ward 2 seat was based on a review of the city’s charter.

“Basically, it says that any vacancy six months after an election, will be filled by the School Committee’s choice. There really weren’t any further guidelines,” he said.

Citywide representative Michael Traficante asked candidates about the personal attributes and experiences they would bring to the committee, while Vincent Turchetta of Ward 4, the committee’s vice chairman, asked the hopefuls what they saw as the committee’s primary responsibilities.

Wall inquired about the role the candidates saw for the committee in the district’s budgetary process, while Sarah Tindall-Woodman of Ward 1 asked the candidates what they view as the most significant issue facing the district. Paul Archetto of Ward 3 asked if the candidates had any executive-style leadership experience.

Prior to the vote, Wall thanked all of the candidates for their interest. He then made a call for nominations, at which point Turchetta nominated Haroian and Archetto nominated Germain.

Wall, Turchetta and Traficante gave their support to Haroian, while Tindall-Woodman and Archetto backed Germain. Ward 5 representative Janice Ruggieri was not present.

Following the vote, Haroian was sworn in by Ron Cascione, the district’s legal counsel. 

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