Rhode Island School Superintendents' Association

Donna Ottaviano, President-elect                                 Chairperson

Colleen Jermain, President                                              ex officio

Mary Canole                                                                        Facilitator

John Pini                                                                               Executive Director

Superintendents

Michael Barnes                                                                   Foster-Glocester

Michael Convery                                                                Coventry

Georgia Fortunato                                                              Lincoln

Rosemarie Kraeger                                                           Middletown

Robert McIntyre                                                                 Barrington

Katherine Sipala                                                                 Narragansett

Central Office Administrators

Carol Blanchette                                                                 Chariho

Nikoli Onye                                                                          Providence

 Beliefs

We believe that:

• All children must be provided the highest quality of education in our public schools in order to achieve overall well-being and post-secondary and career success.
• The superintendent and central office leaders are the lead learners in each school district whose primary focus is to improve learning and teaching.
• RISSA provides a learning sanctuary and collegial support system that enables superintendents and district leaders to explore and solve problems of practice in a safe environment and renew/recharge their commitment to student well-being and achievement.
• Membership in RISSA increases the member’s ability to stay informed about current issues and provides the forum and vehicle to take action.  
• The collective action of RISSA members can drive public education to its best so it provides for all students. 

Mission

The MISSION of the Rhode Island School Superintendents Association (RISSA) is to take action through leadership, support and advocacy to ensure the highest quality education for all children.

Vision

Charting the course for public education.

Goals and Strategies

Leadership

RISSA will work collaboratively and strategically to provide high quality leadership to meet increased accountability measures and accelerate achievement for all RI students.

 1.1 Offer feedback/recommendations that reflect the best interests of the districts to help shape the current and future direction of public education in Rhode Island.

1.2  Lead the implementation of key initiatives that strengthen education in Rhode Island.

1.3  Maintain the focus on fiscal responsibility to ensure our communities’ resources are allocated to accelerate student learning.

1.4    Collaborate with RIDE and other professional organizations to recruit high quality leaders to the profession and participate in their early development.

1.5  Continue to improve the effectiveness of this organization so that all superintendents and central office administrators will benefit from RISSA leadership, support, and advocacy.

1. Support 

RISSA will increase its capacity to support and develop courageous and effective leaders to champion public education in Rhode Island.

2.1  Provide expert and researched based professional learning opportunities on a regular basis to include sessions on leadership, best instructional practices, strategy development, relationship building, and collaborative techniques.

2.2 Collaborate with RIDE to provide regularly scheduled informational sessions build on reform work and implementation processes that support the collective good.

2.3   Establish reciprocal learning experiences for current and future leaders to advance their own practice and provide feedback and support to others.

2.4 Create structures and opportunities to share create and innovative budgeting and reallocation practices.

Advocacy

RISSA will advocate for equity and access to the highest quality education for all students.

3.1 Strengthen the impact of RISSA’s presence at the legislative level by lobbying, testifying, meeting with key representatives and senators and submitting legislation.

3.2 Ensure that RISSA is an active participant on all committees making    statewide decisions impacting the education for all children.

3.3   Promote and support the positive aspects of public education.