Cranston, R.I. (May 20, 2019)– At their regularly scheduled May meeting, the National Education Association Rhode Island (NEARI) delegate assembly voted for officers to lead the organization for another two years. With unanimous support, Lawrence E. Purtill was re-elected to his post as president. In a show of solidarity and support, delegates engaged in a standing vote to unanimously re-elect NEARI Vice President Valarie J. Lawson. Our officers are members of the 105-person executive committee and the close to 400-member delegate assembly; NEARI’s highest governing body.

The remainder of the elected officers is as follows:

• Secretary - Crystal Bergantine, CCRI ESPA
• Assistant Secretary – Sue Warburton, NEA North Kingstown
• Treasurer – Amanda Scott, NEA Portsmouth
• Assistant Treasurer – JoAnn Capaldi, East Greenwich ESP
• NEA Director (three-year term) Amy Mullen, NEA Tiverton
• Regional Vice Presidents
  • Region I – Marlene Prichard, NEA Barrington
  • Region II – Joe Cassady, NEA Portsmouth
  • Region III – Vin Levcowich, NEA Chariho
  • Region IV – Michael Twohey, NEA Smithfield
  • Region V – Kevin Dubois, NEA North Kingstown
  • Higher Education – Marian (Mimi) Fattore, CCRI PSA
  • Higher Education Education Support Professionals – Debra Coty, URI ESP
  • K-12 Education Support Professionals – Kristin Chase, East Providence Teacher Assistants
  • State, Municipal, Retired Personnel – Raymond Pouliot, Retired

  The National Education Association Rhode Island represents more than 12,000 active and retired public classroom teachers; education support professionals; higher education faculty, graduate students, and staff; and state and municipal employees.