WILMINGTON — Following their re-elections to the School Committee this past weekend, David Ragsdale and Mary Jane Byrnes told The Sun their top priority as the school year nears its close is to ensure a smooth transition back to in-person learning for Wilmington students and teachers.
“We want teachers and students to feel safe and supported, and for their fears to subside so that true education and learning can transpire,” said Byrnes, a senior administrative secretary at Bulfinch Medical Group.
With Ragsdale receiving 788 votes and Byrnes receiving 727 votes, they both defeated challenger James Defeo on Saturday to win two three-year seats on the School Committee.
This is the first time Ragsdale sought re-election, after first joining the committee in 2018. Byrnes was first selected to be on the committee in 2012.
“I’m very, very grateful to get another term,” said Ragsdale, a test security specialist at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. “Over the past three years, I’ve found that I’m very engaged and passionate about doing this. It’s a lot of work but it’s something that I find important and meaningful.”
Regarding the phased-in return to in-person learning — which started in Wilmington at the beginning of April — both committee members said one of the first steps they need to take is to assess where the students are both academically and emotionally, so educators can “meet them where they are.”
“We have to make sure that we have some kind of plan to address whatever learning losses that they have suffered, as well as meet their social emotional needs,” Ragsdale said. “This has been a year that no one had anticipated and we need to be thinking proactively about how we’re going to get things back on track.”
Aside from the transition back to full-day, in-person learning, Ragsdale said that some of his other top priorities for the district are to improve both “consistency between classrooms” and communication with parents.
Ragsdale and Byrnes were not the only ones elected to the committee. Melissa Plowman (778 votes) handily defeated Yvonne Helbert (195 votes) and Justin Cusce (132 votes) to secure an unexpired two-year term. The seat was left open by Steve Bjork after he suddenly resigned one year into his latest term due to commitments in his personal and professional life.
Bjork, who had served on the committee for seven years, endorsed Plowman for the role in a letter published in the Wilmington Apple.
Both Ragsdale and Byrnes said they are looking forward to working with Plowman and they think she’ll be a strong addition to the committee.
“I’m very elated for her,” Byrnes said. “I think she will bring an additional perspective to the board not otherwise held by other members, which I think will only support our work and allow us to benefit from her knowledge and experience.”
“I’m thrilled about it. I’ve known Melissa for years, our daughters were in the same kindergarten class,” added Ragsdale. “I think she’s terrific and I’m greatly looking forward to working with her.”
Plowman did not respond to The Sun’s request for comment.
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April 27, 2021 at 06:02AM
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Smooth return to in-person learning top priority for re-elected Wilmington School Committee members - Lowell Sun
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