Having served as the District 1 member to the Warwick School Committee for a year, Shaun Galligan confirmed Tuesday night he is actively campaigning to become committee chair at the first meeting of the New Year on Jan. 9.

Meanwhile, current chair David Testa who was first elected to one of two citywide committee in 2016, said he would like to remain in the post for the sake of consistency at a critical point where the district is embarking on building new Pilgrim and Toll Gate High Schools. Testa said he learned of Galligan’s interest in the post when he asked Galligan for his support for chairman.

“I think I’ve done a pretty good job,” Testa said outlining relationships with the mayor, city council, and members of the city and school administrations. Apart from the construction of the new high schools, Testa said there “is a lot of stuff going on.” He focused on the need to dive into the budget and plan for the additional costs of contracts as well as the loss of federal funded programs that are expiring.

“We’ve got to get on it early so we can avoid what happened last year,” he said referencing what was a moving target when it came to state fund and the level of support from the city. Testa called himself a “fan of continuity,” saying, “I think I provide steady leadership.”

Galligan describes himself as being “pro-active.”

“We face tough challenges in the upcoming year,” he said citing the expiration of both the teachers and WISE (Warwick Independent School Employees) contracts; the expiration of $6 million in federal ESSER (Elementary and Secondary School Relief)  funding and the construction of the high schools. He said he would place “high focus” on fiscal matters and determining “how much the city can give us.”

Galligan said he shared his interest in serving as chair with committee members and while he did not talk about his chances of becoming chair, nor did the Beacon poll members, it is highly likely he could get the votes of District 2 member Leah Hazelwood and District 3 member Michelle Kirby-Chapman. Like Galligan, both have no prior public elective experience and stepped on the board this year. The committee is comprised of five members. Others than those mentioned, Karen Bachus is the fifth member and holds the second city-wide elective seat. Committee members are non-partisan and serve 4-year terms. District and citywide elections are staggered. This past year was the first time in recent memory where all three district members, representing a majority, were newly elected members.

If elected chair, Galligan said he looks to revitalize subcommittees and conduct those meetings at times when the public can attend. Specifically he named the building committee that meets in the early morning and the finance committee that meets in the late afternoon. He said he looks to “optimize the talents of everyone on the committee…everyone has talents and abilities.”

Asked about Testa and where he might fit should be become chair, Galligan said, “Testa is a consummate  professional.” He observed Testa’s role as president of the Rhode Island Association of School Committees.

Would he keep Testa as chair of the building committee, a post Testa has held since before becoming chair of the School Committee?

“I believe there is something to be said for continuity…I have trust in him,” Galligan said.

Overall, Galligan said he is “looking to build on what has been established.”

In a text Mayor Frank Picozzi wrote, “I like Shaun very much and admire his ambition. However I don’t think one year’s experience on the committee is enough to become chairman. I think David Tests does a good job in the role and I would like to see him have another year.”

He went on to say, “The school department is currently in contract negotiations and making plans for the two new high schools so I think continuity in leadership is very important right now. With that said, whoever is elected chair will have my full support and cooperation.”