Robert Owens for DR School Committee

04/03/2024

First and foremost, I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who supported me throughout this campaign. Your belief in me and our shared vision for our children's education mean the world to me. While the outcome was not what we hoped for, I want to assure you that I am not going anywhere.

This election has given me a chance to reflect on my campaign and identify areas where I could have done better. It has become clear that I am committed to turning this setback into an opportunity to build something meaningful. Together, we can ensure that future candidates have the resources and support they need to effectively advocate for our children and our schools. Thank you once again for your support, and I look forward to working with all of you in the future.

04/02/2024

As we head to the polls today, I want to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for engaging in this important process. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to run for the school committee and to serve our community.

I believe that our teachers and paraprofessionals are the heart and soul of our schools. They work tirelessly to educate and inspire our children, and they deserve our full support. If elected, I will be a vocal advocate for them, ensuring that they have the resources and support they need to succeed.

I also believe that every child deserves to see themselves reflected in the books they read. That's why I am committed to promoting diverse and inclusive literature in our schools, so that every child feels seen, valued, and represented.

Lastly, I believe that providing age-appropriate health education is crucial to the well-being of our students. By teaching them about their bodies, their health, and how to make informed decisions, we empower them to lead healthy lives.

I am the only candidate in this race who openly supports our teachers and paraprofessionals, books that include every child, and age-appropriate health education. If elected, I will work to ensure that these values are reflected in our schools. Thank you for your support, and I hope to earn your vote today.

Thank you,

03/19/2024

03/14/2024

Some public flyers have recently come to my attention. I appreciate the sentiment behind the flyers, and they reflect the concerns I've raised. However, they were not produced by my campaign (which is only me). I've barely gotten signs out never mind flyers... if anyone does want to help or contribute to the campaign that would be greatly appreciated. Please email me at [email protected] or message me on FB.

Thanks to those of you who have taken signs so far!

03/13/2024

I understand the difficult circumstances our district faces, and that cuts are going to be necessary. However, I am deeply concerned about the way this committee has prioritized certain issues over the core mission of educating our children.

Instead of focusing on securing adequate funding, this committee has spent valuable time and energy on divisive cultural issues. They have opposed comprehensive sexual education, fought against inclusive language in anti-bullying policies, and challenged the content of our school libraries.

These actions have distracted them from the urgent task of addressing the budget crisis and have directly harmed students.

Many members of this committee do not have children enrolled in our schools. This disconnect has led to decisions that don't reflect the best interests of the students. While you may feel insulated from the consequences of these decisions, underfunded and demoralized schools’ impact everyone in our community.

Additionally, members of this committee and the selectmen of both towns encourage attendance at SC meetings by an outside alt-right organization with a history of intimidation. These are not community members and I and many others have personally experienced this, being followed outside and confronted in the parking lot before and after meetings. Their presence creates a hostile atmosphere and makes it difficult for community members to feel safe expressing their concerns and advocating for our students.

It's troubling to see certain elements of our town leadership encouraging this behavior under the guise of fiscal conservatism.This is one of many reasons families are choosing other options for their children's education. Our students deserve better than to have their education sacrificed for political gains.

03/06/2024

Our school district faces a constant cycle of budget shortfalls, painful cuts, and potential requests for more funding. Simply supporting our existing programs isn't enough, we need a long-term plan to ensure our schools' future.

That's why I'm advocating again for a comprehensive regional district study. This goes beyond a simple “audit”. A study will assess how effectively we use our resources and identify areas for improvement, both in potential savings and strategic investments. This isn't about creating or slashing programs, it's about empowering us as a community to make informed decisions.

A district study will give us the knowledge we need to build a sustainable, high-quality school system that serves all our students.

Our regional school district faces tough challenges – a $2 million deficit, falling enrollment, and rising costs threaten our children's education. We need decisive leadership to find …

03/03/2024

I will be attending the "Meet the Candidate" event hosted by Rehoboth TV on Tuesday 19 March, 7:00 PM at the Senior Center. Please attend in person or tune in at https://www.rehobothtv.org/

Also if would like a yard sign please let me know!

02/27/2024

Hello everyone, I’m here to announce my candidacy for the DR School Committee once again this year. Although I faced a setback last year, my determination to serve our community has only grown stronger.

I firmly believe that our children deserve access to a high-quality education. I am committed to working diligently to ensure that all students within our district have the necessary resources to succeed.

I encourage you to read through my previous posts and see how they hold up after a year has passed.

Additionally, I seek your invaluable support in this campaign. I require the assistance of dedicated volunteers who can aid in spreading awareness, engaging with the community, and mobilizing voters. If you are interested in contributing your time and efforts, please reach out to me via email at [email protected]

Thank you,

04/05/2023

As a first-time political candidate, I want to express my gratitude for the incredible support and encouragement you all provided throughout my campaign. Running for this position has been a tremendous honor, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity to have met so many amazing individuals. I have learned a great deal and feel a deeper connection to our community as a result.

Although we fell short by just 5% of the votes, I am immensely proud of the positive and constructive campaign we ran. I am humbled by the overwhelming support we received from the community and feel privileged to have had the opportunity to work with such a passionate, diverse, and dedicated group of people.

While the outcome may not have been what we hoped for, I am confident that we have laid the groundwork for future campaigns. With your continued support and dedication, we can make a positive difference in our community. Moving forward, I plan to continue volunteering and advocating for children's education and welfare in our town, and I invite you to join me.

Rehoboth has a fantastic PTSA with many great dedicated people, but we need more parents to get involved and help maintain the organization. If you are a parent of a child with special needs, please consider joining the SEPAC. It is an excellent resource to learn and connect with other parents for advice and guidance. School Councils based at each of the school buildings provide an opportunity for parents to work with teachers and the principles in shaping the policies and programs of the schools.

Lastly, I encourage everyone to become more involved in town politics. It is not as intimidating as it may seem, and these people are our neighbors, friends, and even family. While we may not always agree, we are all part of the same community, and together we can make it better.

Once again, thank you for your unwavering support and encouragement. I am grateful for each and every one of you, and I am excited to continue working together to improve our community.

04/03/2023

Hello Everyone,

I want to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your attention and time this past month, and for considering me as your candidate for school committee.

I believe that education is the foundation for a thriving society. That should be valued here of all places, “The Birthplace of Public Education”. I am committed to ensuring that every child in our community has access to an education that prepares them for success in the 21st century.

I understand that there are many concerns and challenges facing our school system, from budget constraints to student enrollment decline. If elected, I will work diligently and respectfully to address these issues and to create an environment that serves the needs of all students, regardless of their background or circumstances.

My experiences have prepared me to lead with empathy, creativity, and vision. I will listen to your concerns, collaborate with other stakeholders, and make informed decisions that prioritize the best interests of our students and community.

As we approach the elections, I urge you to exercise your right to vote and to encourage your friends and family to do the same. Your voice matters, and every vote counts.

I am optimistic about the future of our community. I believe that together, we can create a school system that we can all be proud of. I humbly ask for your vote, and I look forward to serving you.

Thank you.

03/29/2023

Regarding the recent plans to incorporate Augmented/Mixed/Virtual Reality technologies into DR CTE programs:

As an early adopter and enthusiast of AR/MR/VR technologies, I have explored its potential applications in various fields, including education. While these technologies are often associated with entertainment and gaming, they also offer opportunities for enhancing educational programs and hands-on learning.

For instance, AR/VR can provide simulations and immersive experiences that are difficult or hazardous to replicate in real life, such as practicing welding or dissection. They are also effective for repetitive task learning, which can reduce waste and cost in training programs. Furthermore, AR/VR can offer a more engaging and accessible learning environment for students with different learning styles.

However, the success of AR/VR in education depends on proper implementation and evaluation. It is essential to ensure that the technology is accessible to all students, including those with vision impairments or motion sickness, and that educators receive proper training to integrate AR/VR into their curricula effectively.

Additionally, the selection of software and vendors should be carefully considered, as some may not provide adequate support or may become obsolete, rendering the investment useless.
It is also important to note that while AR/VR can enhance learning, they are not a replacement for hands-on experiences and practical skills. Therefore, AR/VR should be seen as a supplement to traditional education rather than a substitute.

While there are potential benefits to incorporating AR/VR into education, careful consideration and evaluation are necessary to ensure their effectiveness and accessibility. Typically, I would be thrilled about this news, but I urge caution to seeing this as a panacea to more systemic underlying issues around funding and student retention.

03/27/2023

Whether you agree or not with the recent budget cuts at the schools. Things like this are not helping the community:

In January I needed to FOIA request the school committee meeting minutes and agenda for all the previous fiscal year as they were not posted.

The recorded broadcasts of school committee meetings have stopped being available on Rehoboth TV since January. Additionally, to my astonishment the special school committee budget hearing where townspeople poured their hearts and souls into advocating against cuts was not even aired nor is it currently available to view.

I don't know where responsibilities lay for broadcasting but this only lends creditably to transparency issues.