Chariho school committee elects Louise Dinsmore chair, approves reorganization and dozens of subcommittee appointments

At its Jan. 14, 2025 meeting, the Chariho Regional School Committee elected Louise Dinsmore chair and approved a broad reorganization that included a new vice chair, appointments of a district clerk and district treasurer, and the filling of multiple standing and ad hoc subcommittee seats.

The reorganization matters because the committee’s leadership and subcommittee memberships determine who negotiates contracts, who reviews the budget before the omnibus session, and which members represent the district on safety, facilities and bargaining teams ahead of a budget vote scheduled for April 8.

Dinsmore won the chair vote after being nominated during the meeting; following the vote she thanked members and outlined three guiding principles she said will steer her work: “kindness,” “respect,” and a focus on “students.” Dinsmore said, “Students are the center of our work here. Their safety, well-being, and academic achievement are at the forefront of everything we do.” (Louise Dinsmore, School Committee chair.)

The committee elected Laura Chapman as vice chair. The board also unanimously appointed Angela Brazil as district clerk and named Lynn Gouverne (assistant finance director) as district treasurer after discussion about separation of…