Re-elect Dave Pavone
Strong Schools for a Strong Narragansett Community. Vote Tuesday, November 3.
Re-elect Dave Pavone
Strong Schools for a Strong Narragansett Community. Vote Tuesday, November 3.
How to Vote
School Committee is an at-large race. You can vote for up to five candidates. Please make Dave Pavone one of your five.
General Election: Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Polls are open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Early in-person voting: Wednesday, October 14 through Monday, November 2 (ends at 4 p.m. on November 2). Check narragansettri.gov for the location and hours.
Mail ballot application deadline: Tuesday, October 13.
Voter registration deadline: Sunday, October 4.
Priorities for 2026
Put student-grown food on the lunch line
Put student-grown food on the lunch line
Put student-grown food on the lunch line
Bringing food service fully in-house is a long-term goal, not a two-year promise. What we can do this term: start a pilot that gets produce from our FFA and agricultural science programs into the cafeteria, and have the administration cost out what running our own food service would take. A small first step, real hands-on learning for students, and a clear answer before we commit a budget line.
Grow Career and Technical Education
Put student-grown food on the lunch line
Put student-grown food on the lunch line
Every Narragansett student already has access to seven CTE programs at NHS, and they do a great job preparing students for real careers. I want participation to grow so more students take advantage of them, and every graduate leaves with the confidence and concrete skills to succeed, whether that is a four-year degree, a trade, or straight into the workforce. CTE and college prep are not competing priorities. They work together.
Find out what our rooftops are worth
Put student-grown food on the lunch line
Protect the classroom in every budget
Our school rooftops are prime, underused real estate sitting in the sun every day. Solar panels could turn a fixed energy cost into a revenue source for our classrooms, but that is a multi-year project. The goal for this term is simpler: get a rooftop solar feasibility study done, with real numbers on cost, savings, and payback, so the committee can make the call with the facts in hand.
Protect the classroom in every budget
Protect the classroom in every budget
Protect the classroom in every budget
Narragansett's budget is appropriate for both our needs and our wants, and nothing goes to waste. If inflation or other pressure forces us to tighten our belts, I start by extending the life of equipment and facilities and by bringing in revenue-producing programs that use our facilities and CTE offerings. Educational programming and the services that directly touch students come last, not first.
Enrollment is a housing issue too
Protect the classroom in every budget
Enrollment is a housing issue too
High performing schools attract families to Narragansett and give residents the confidence to grow their households without moving or paying for private school. I have advocated for housing policy that lets residents adapt their homes as their families change and that brings new families to town. Schools are one part of a larger equation, and I intend to keep working on all of it.
Transparency and open dialogue
Protect the classroom in every budget
Enrollment is a housing issue too
The values reflected in our schools should align with those of the community. I will keep pushing for fairness, transparency, and open dialogue between the schools and residents, including a clear process for the community to raise concerns and get a real answer.
What I've Done Since 2024
Dave has served on the Narragansett School Committee since he was elected in November 2024. Working with the full committee and the administration, he helped:
Pass and implement a student device policy
Pass and implement a new attendance policy
Pass an AI usage policy for the district
Get two new CTE programs off the ground at NHS, vote by vote: Sports Medicine and Athletic Training, with hands-on training through University Orthopedics, and Marine Professions, now backed by a Yamaha Motor Corporation partnership funded by a competitive RIDE grant
Dave is a committed supporter of Narragansett's CTE programs and will keep pushing to expand them. They are good for our students, and they are good for the future of the town.
Narragansett schools on his watch:
RIDE named NHS the state leader in AP participation growth, and reading and math scores reached all-time highs
Two National Merit Finalists in the Class of 2026
Mariners Integrated Preschool kept its 5-Star BrightStars rating
Narragansett Elementary earned national recognition as a Special Olympics Unified Champion School
Superintendent Dr. Peter Cummings was named 2027 Rhode Island Superintendent of the Year
Every meeting is streamed on the district's YouTube channel and the packets are posted at nssk12.org.
About Dave
Parent. Technology leader. School Committee member since 2024.
Dave Pavone has served on the Narragansett School Committee since he was elected in November 2024. He is a technology product leader who has spent his career building and leading teams at enterprise technology companies, and he brings that same discipline to the district's budget: set clear priorities, measure results, and spend where it reaches students.
Dave lives in Narragansett with his wife Megan and their three children, Ben, Emma, and Jacob, all of whom attend Narragansett schools. Megan serves on the board of the Narragansett Parent Teacher Organization.
Dave is running for a second term to keep Narragansett one of the highest performing districts in the state at one of the lowest school tax rates, and to give every student the room to find their path, whether that leads to a four-year degree, a trade, or straight into the workforce.
Where I Stand
Straight answers from the 2024 League of Women Voters questionnaire and the 2026 voter guide. Email davepavone@outlook.com if your question is not here.
The 2026 voter guide asked this as a yes-or-no question, and I answered no. Here is the longer version. Technology is a powerful tool when it is used well, and our teachers are the ones who know when it helps and when it gets in the way. Rather than a blanket cut, I want our teachers to have current, relevant, high-quality professional development so that technology enhances learning instead of distracting from it.
That is exactly what our new student device policy does. During school hours, students use only school-provided technology, and that technology is curated by our educators whether it is used in the classroom or at home. Students get the benefits of a world of information and tools without the exploitative pull of consumer social media and apps, and what they do on their own devices outside of school hours stays a decision for them and their families. The question is not more screens or fewer screens. It is the right tools, chosen by professionals, for the right purpose.
It needs refinement, not reform. Its goals are sound: every child in Rhode Island gets an adequate, meaningful education regardless of where they live or their family's means, while taxpayers are treated equitably. Does it treat Narragansett fairly? No. It does not account for our unique housing situation. It needs small, targeted adjustments to get it into the right place, not a complete replacement.
My business experience taught me the importance of efficiency, prioritization, and investing for growth. I prioritize spending on direct educational impact while ensuring fiscal responsibility and adequate funding to maintain our facilities. The goal is that every dollar supports our students' success. Narragansett has a long history of fiscal responsibility, and we have the lowest school budget tax rate in South County.
School Resource Officers (SROs) play a vital role in ensuring the safety and security of our schools. It is crucial that our students and staff feel protected while at school, and equally important that parents have confidence in their children's safety.
Beyond their visible presence and on-site crisis management, SROs collaborate with school administration to develop, implement, and maintain comprehensive safety plans. While safety is essential, we need to ensure that the presence of law enforcement in our schools doesn't lead to the criminalization of normal (but not acceptable) age-appropriate behavior. We mitigate this risk with the specialized training that SROs receive.
When it comes to training, it is imperative that we have the most qualified and highly trained officers in these positions. This specialized training ensures that SROs are not only skilled but also genuinely passionate about their role in safeguarding our schools.
Yes, I absolutely support the guidance produced by the Rhode Island Department of Education on transgender and gender nonconforming students. We are entrusted with providing all students with a high-quality education. It is paramount for our students’ success that they feel safe and supported in the school environment, regardless of gender or gender conformity. If we cannot ensure that our students are safe and free from discrimination, regardless of sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression, then how can we expect them to grow, thrive, and learn within our schools?
(Note: This question was from the League of Women Voters - South County)
The trained professional educators in our schools have been entrusted by the community with the responsibility of curriculum development and learning material selection for our students. These books and curricula are designed to ensure that our students develop the knowledge, skills, and critical thinking capabilities necessary to become productive members of society. These educators are accountable for the school’s curriculum and must ensure that it not only achieves this goal but is also aligned with the values of our community. When the community feels that the curriculum is not aligned with its values, it is important that they have a process to bring this to the administration’s attention for review. Given the diversity of viewpoints in our town, this process should be designed for the community, rather than for any individual community member, unless that individual possesses unique accreditation or other qualifications that allow them to speak as an expert on the topic. In the end, our goal is to ensure that our students develop a lifelong love of learning and become productive members of our diverse global community.
(Note: This question was from the League of Women Voters - South County)
It is important that, with declining enrollment, we adjust the school budget organically according to the district's needs. The school district should always be run in a fiscally responsible manner, and we need to hold our administration accountable for achieving net positive results from our investments. We must also recognize that our community is unique, with many second homes and rentals, making it difficult to measure Narragansett’s school budget in the same way one would in a non-resort community. We should explore all opportunities to partner with like-minded communities. Such partnerships must be net-beneficial for both parties, but they are worth exploring.
(Note: This question was from the League of Women Voters - South County)
Get Involved
Want a lawn sign, or want to help?
Fill out the form above and Dave will get back to you personally. You can also call or text 401-612-3362 or email davepavone@outlook.com.
Dave Pavone for Narragansett School Committee
Narragansett, Rhode Island, USA