Kerri Kelleher to Run for School Committee

A woman instrumental in preserving music and arts programming for Cranston schoolchildren during a period of severe district cuts, Kerri Kelleher, is running for a seat on the Cranston School Committee.

"Earlier today, I filed my declaration for School Committee, City-Wide. Thanks to my family for their support and love!" Kelleher said in a Facebook post on Monday afternoon.

Kelleher is the founder and president of BASICS (Benefiting All Students in Cranston Schools), which was hastily formed in the wake of Cranston Public Schools landing on the losing side of a Caroulo lawsuit in 2010. The decision sent Cranston into years-long period of attrition with elementary and middle school music, sports, scores of teachers and faculty getting chopped. 

BASICS arguably shouldered the load for the district when it came to music programming for students at the elementary and middle level, organizing concerts, raising money, hiring instructors, funding scholarships and more. It expanded as time went on and became a registered nonprofit last year. And this year, with the district finally making the last of its repayments to the city this year, Cranston is poised to begin reintroducing some of the things that were cut to the bone.

So it might not be such a surprise to see Kelleher's name on the ballot, especially since she's attended so many School Committee meetings, whether it's to promote a community event that brings people together or advocate for special needs students.

And Kelleher has been hinting at a potential run for some time. Earlier this month, she said she was thinking of running for a while but hadn't made up her mind because family comes first, she said. 

"But if I did decide to run, I would not be scared by any of the "big dogs." I think it is sad that money, or connections, have any place in education," she said.

Kelleher said a formal release announcing her candidacy will be coming soon.