Blackstone School Committee Race: Keri Greene Gaudette vs. Lindsey Cronk

​As the Blackstone-Millville Regional School District (BMRSD) election approaches on April 7th, voters face a choice between incumbent Keri Greene Gaudette and challenger Lindsey Cronk for a seat on the School Committee. Both candidates bring distinct perspectives and priorities to the table.​

Keri Greene Gaudette: Experience and Dedication

Keri Greene Gaudette seeks re-election, emphasizing her extensive experience and deep-rooted commitment to the district.​

• Background and Experience: Appointed to the School Committee in August 2020 and elected to a four-year term in April 2021, Gaudette has been involved in various subcommittees, including serving as District Treasurer and participating in the Financial Subcommittee, School Building Committee, Insurance Advisory Committee, and Athletic Advisory.​
• Accomplishments:
  • Approval of new curricula in core subjects.​
  • Acceptance into the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) pipeline, progressing through a feasibility study.​
  • Addition of a full-time Director of Athletics and Student Life.​
  • Efforts to reintroduce foreign language programs at the middle school level and expand high school electives.​
• Community Ties: A BMRSD alumna, Gaudette’s personal connections to the district include her own education, her family’s roots, and her children’s current enrollment.​

Gaudette’s campaign focuses on continuing progress in curriculum development, staff retention, and expanding student opportunities, all while being mindful of budgetary constraints.​

Lindsey Cronk: Fresh Perspectives and Reform

Challenger Lindsey Cronk presents herself as a candidate bringing a fresh outlook and a focus on reform.​

• Background: A Blackstone resident and parent with a child in the district, Cronk’s professional experience spans roles in human services and finance.​
• Key Concerns:
  • Addressing the statistic that only approximately 69.8% of Blackstone’s school-age children attend BMRSD, suggesting a need to understand and mitigate factors leading families to seek alternatives.​
  • Enhancing support for high-needs students, who comprise 46% of the district’s population, including those with disabilities and from low-income backgrounds.​
• Proposed Initiatives:
  • Early investment in student support services.​
  • Rebuilding trust within the community.​
  • Introducing innovative approaches to cater to diverse student needs.​

Cronk advocates for proactive measures, emphasizing the importance of addressing issues before they escalate to ensure a supportive educational environment.​

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As the April 7 election approaches, voters in Blackstone are weighing their options in the race for the Blackstone-Millville Regional School Committee. Candidates Keri Greene Gaudette and Lindsey Cronk faced off recently at a Candidates Forum, giving residents a clearer sense of their perspectives and priorities—especially on the hot topic of a potential new regional high school.

When asked whether they supported a new regional school, both candidates initially hesitated to give a simple yes or no. Keri Greene Gaudette, who currently serves on the committee, emphasized that the issue is complex and cannot be boiled down to a single-word answer. She highlighted her deep-rooted ties to the community, including her family’s legacy of public service—her grandfather was the late Chief John F. Greene, for whom the town’s Fire Station 1 is named after. Keri noted her long-standing dedication to youth, from working at the Boys and Girls Club to her experience as an educator, and asked voters to trust her continued leadership on the committee.

Lindsey Cronk acknowledged the significance of the high school discussion, saying that while she would love a new building, any decision must be made with strong consideration for the financial impact on taxpayers. As a newer resident of Blackstone, she expressed appreciation for the town’s sense of community and emphasized the need for greater transparency and parent engagement in schools. Her platform includes expanding extracurriculars and enrichment programs, ensuring academic excellence, and collaborating effectively with the committee if elected.

Both candidates bring unique perspectives, offering different approaches:​

• Keri Greene Gaudette emphasizes continuity, experience, and a track record of service within the district.​
• Lindsey Cronk advocates for reform, aiming to address current challenges with new strategies and perspectives.​

Residents are encouraged to consider each candidate’s qualifications and visions to make an informed decision in the upcoming election.