School Community To Meet On Smithfield Schools' Future

From the Smithfield School Department: The Smithfield School Department will gather about 75-100people representing a broad cross-section of the community to meet for two days on January 26th and January 27t h to create a common vision for the district’s future.

Judy Enright, an experienced moderator and former public school administrator, will lead the
discussion using a process known as Future Search. Other New England communities have made
positive changes in their schools using a similar visioning process. Smithfield’s Future Search will
focus on the question, Recognizing the challenges and opportunities in our community, how will the
Smithfield schools evolve to serve our current and future students?

Business leaders, municipal officials, students, parents, school employees, and representatives from
nonprofit organizations have been invited to participate in the event, which will be held at Bryant
University. Additional members of the public who would like to participate should email Lisa
Petrone (lpetrone@smithfield-ps.org) or call her at 401-231-6606 no later than November 30th.
Confirmation letters will be sent to all those that can be accommodated.

The two day event will start with a session on Friday afternoon that will begin at 5:00 p.m. and end at
8:30 p.m. Dinner will be provided. Saturday’s session will begin at 8:00 a.m. and will conclude by
4:00 p.m. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Smithfield Superintendent Judy Paolucci sees the timing of this process as ideal. “Smithfield schools
have made great strides over the past several years. As demands on the schools have compounded
and resources have diminished, it is crucial that we focus our efforts through a shared vision. I am
excited to bring members of the community together to see what is wanted for our schools.”

For more information, contact: Judy Paolucci, Superintendent by phone: 401-231-6606.

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