Week In Review: Gist Visits, Fire Chief Search Starts, Coach Pick Triggers Parents' Reactions

Gist Says No More Tiered Diploma: State Education Commissioner Deborah Gist made a stop in Johnston on Feb. 14 as part of her "listening and learning" tour of Rhode Island school districts. She visited a third-grade classroom at Sarah Dyer Barnes Elementary School, and later in the day, told Johnston parents that she's asking the state Board of Regents to drop plans for a three-tiered diploma system that generated fierce opposition from parents.

Fire Chief Search Board Starts Work: Mayor Joseph M. Polisena confirmed this week that a four-member search committee charged with recommending candidates for the vacant fire chief post would begin sifting through some 40 resumes received.

Parents Respond To Coach Appointment: Several parents commented on our story about the school committee's decision to appoint Mario Nasisi to the Ferri Middle School girls' softball coaching position.

High School B-Ball Squads Near End Of Season:

• The Johnston High School Lady Panthers fell to Mt. St. Charles on Feb. 16, 41-35. It was almost the same score by which the Johnston team had beaten the Woonsocket squad on Dec. 9, 41-36. The girls team wraps their season with a game tonight against Hope High School and a home-at-home against Moses Brown on Feb. 23 and 25.
• Meanwhile, the boys' varsity team earned a first-round bye in the Division III playoffs. They'll play the winner of the Feb. 18 Middletown-Exeter/West Greenwich game on Monday night at Johnston High School.

Town's Snow Budget Empty: Mayor Polisena also said this week that the town has no more money in the budget line item for snow-clearing and plowing operations. He said any additional money will have to be moved from other departments.