Dawn DiScuillo for Westerly School Committee

10/07/2026

Colin is a dedicated father and husband. Westerly would be lucky to have him serve on the school committee. He has worked tirelessly over the past few months to educate himself on the responsibilities of the school committee and all of the ins and outs of our school system. Colin understands that data and research are what should drive the decisions being made for our kids and schools. I am honored to call him my friend and so excited to be running alongside him for Westerly School Committee.

I am a proud parent of a Westerly Public Schools kindergartner and a resident for more than a decade. My wife and I moved to Westerly for many reasons: its walkable downtown, beautiful library, great schools, gorgeous beaches, but most importantly, the community that makes our town so vibrant.

When my son was in a state pre-K program in Westerly, I decided to take a more active role in his future education. I started attending meetings of the School Committee because I know that a strong school system is the result of elected officials and an empowered community working together to shape effective school policies, make targeted budget investments, and follow best practices according to experts in the education space. A School Committee should work with and listen to the public as well as collaborate with each other to move toward a common goal — building a strong foundation for our children — and I want to be part of that.

I am running for the School Committee because I know that our school district faces complex and challenging issues, and I want to show up for our schools the way they have shown up for my own family. As my family went through IEP assessments and began the process to get a 504 plan in place for our son, we were struck by the amazing support already in place in Westerly Public Schools. I want to make sure that every Westerly child has what they need to have a robust education and participate in everything the district has to offer.

Education should be accessible for all children, regardless of their disabilities, identities, or financial situation. I am committed to improving ADA compliance and accessibility in our schools and playgrounds, expanding Career & Technical Education programs at the high school, evaluating options for after-care programs for elementary students, and developing partnerships with organizations to bring additional books and author visits to schools. I believe that books in school libraries should reflect many lived experiences beyond the students’ own world, and we should trust the experts and support librarians and school administrators in selecting these titles.

As a School Committee member, I will work to make sure our schools are a safe and welcoming space for all students, including those in the LGBTQIA+ community, students of color, and anyone who is disabled or otherwise marginalized. I will make sure our teachers are supported and given the resources they need to create a positive learning environment for the students. If elected, I promise to listen, collaborate, and build consensus. I am committed to doing what is best for Westerly’s students, parents, teachers, and staff, and I look forward to representing them on the School Committee.

10/05/2026

Let’s help Alex!

Venmo-

10/05/2026

WPS has some of the best teachers around. Happy World Teacher’s Day! 🌎 🍎

10/05/2026

Come join the transportation team!

10/05/2026

Thank you National Education Association RI (NEARI) for endorsing my campaign for State Senate District 38!

NEARI represents 12,000 educators across Rhode Island — teachers, school staff, college faculty, and support professionals who are in our classrooms and libraries every day. One in every 100 Rhode Islanders is a NEARI member. They believe in the power of public education to change lives, and so do I.

I've heard from teachers and staff at our local schools about the youth mental health crisis. That's why I fought to get Medicaid funding to help pay for school social workers and psychologists. I also worked to raise awareness and support for Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs at high schools— where students can learn skills that lead directly to good-paying local jobs.

Every child in Rhode Island deserves a quality public education. I'm proud to stand with the educators who make that possible.

10/03/2026

Before I decided to run for school committee I weighed the pros and cons. There were many pros. I could use my knowledge and experience in education to continue the good work that has been happening in WPS. I could advocate for the students and teachers in Westerly and make our community even better. I could make the difference in even more children’s lives than just my classroom and the cheer mat. I am excited to do just that, should I get elected.

The cons however, were few but powerful. Would running for public office have a negative impact on my daughter? Thankfully not so far but she’s a pretty tough cookie that can stand up for herself. The other was that I would be subjected to personal attacks on my character.

Well, here we are. There is a faction of people who are actively trying to drag my name through the mud and calling my character into question. Here’s what I have to say about that.

I have lived in this community for almost 25 years, not counting the time I lived here as a child. In that time I have put myself through undergrad at URI and grad school at Sacred Heart. I have worked at two amazing local restaurants and have met and formed relationships with many fantastic people. I have had 13 classrooms full of children that I have taught and cared about in addition to the three years spent as a substitute teacher in Chariho. I have coached cheerleading at both the high school and peewee levels. I have positively impacted hundreds of families.

I care about people. Whether they are students in my classroom, athletes on the cheer mat, or people sitting at the bar as I serve them a drink. I have good intentions in my heart for the students and teachers in Westerly, and, if elected will lead with integrity as decisions are being made.

I will no longer be “defending” my character against people who hate me based solely on the fact that I am a Democrat. I will not answer questions on social media that are not asked in good faith. I am willing to engage in productive discourse surrounding the pertinent issues facing our schools, but I will not trade insults back and forth on social media to push someone else’s agenda.

10/01/2026

This is a sweet deal!

Help us raise money for students to perform in Disney in April 2027! Find a music student to order or send an email to [email protected]

10/01/2026

Donut forget to register to vote by October 4th!

09/30/2026

📝 I wrote a letter to the editor that was published in The Westerly Sun. I know many people cannot access it without paying. Here is the letter if you would like to read it. 😊

Advocacy Is Part of Serving Every Child

For 13 years, I have stood in classrooms and watched children find their voices, overcome challenges, and discover what they are capable of. I have also learned that when a child is struggling to be heard, someone has to listen and sometimes, speak up. That belief is at the heart of why I am running for Westerly School Committee.
I recently read a letter arguing that activism has no place on a School Committee and that members should focus on governance, data, budgets, policy, and oversight. I agree that these are essential responsibilities. But I do not believe advocacy and good governance are opposites. In fact, I believe advocating for children is part of good governance.

Being an advocate does not mean abandoning facts, fiscal responsibility, respectful debate, or the responsibility to represent the entire community. It means asking difficult questions, listening to those directly affected by decisions, examining the data, and speaking up when a child or family’s voice is missing from the conversation.

As a teacher and a parent, I have seen firsthand that children do not all enter our schools with the same experiences, challenges, or supports. If we are committed to giving every child the opportunity to learn, participate, and thrive, we must be willing to identify barriers and work together to remove them. Sometimes that means speaking for students whose voices are not yet strong enough to speak for themselves.
That is what unity means to me.

Unity does not mean agreeing on every issue. It means disagreeing respectfully while keeping our students and community at the center of the conversation. It means listening to families, educators, administrators, and students. It means celebrating our children’s accomplishments together, supporting families through difficult times, and working together when change is needed.

I am proud to run for Westerly School Committee alongside Colin Sweet and Gail Barrington as part of a strong Democratic team. We may have political affiliations, but our responsibility is ultimately to the same community. We are committed to advocating for Westerly’s children while approaching this work with thoughtfulness, openness, and respect for the people we serve.

My years in education have given me a deep understanding of the opportunities and challenges facing our students, families, and educators. After 13 years in the classroom, I know that every child deserves to be seen, heard, and supported. I also know that meaningful change rarely happens when we remain silent.

Our children deserve school committee members who will listen carefully, govern responsibly, and speak up when it matters. I am ready to do all three.

09/30/2026

Last call for calendar raffles! Message me if you want one!!

🎉 Want to support the Westerly Town Democratic Committee AND have 62 chances to win cash? 🎉

Our Westerly Democratic Committee Calendar fundraiser is here! 🗓💰

✨ 62 chances to win CASH!

💵 Only $20 per calendar!

📲 Easy to purchase: Venmo me directly.

🎁 Great for friends and family: You do not have to live in Westerly to purchase a calendar or
win!

💙 Support local Democratic organizing: Every calendar helps benefit the Westerly Town
Democratic Committee.

Whether you're a Westerly resident, a former Westerly resident, or a friend or family member
cheering me on from somewhere else, I'd love your support!

📩 Message me or Venmo me to get your calendar! Venmo link in comments.

Buy a calendar, support the committee, and maybe walk away with some cash! 💰🍀 📅