Mary Anne Roll, member of the Lincoln School Committee, was honored with the 2021 Howard Kay Award at the Rhode Island Association of School Committees (RIASC) Annual Meeting.

Named after the late Newport school committee member and public education advocate, Howard Kay, the Award is given annually to a school committee member who has exhibited outstanding leadership in public education.

Mary Anne has been a member of the Lincoln School Committee since 2004 and has served in various capacities, including Chair and Vice-Chair.  She currently serves as the Chair of the Policy Subcommittee, determined to complete a major review/revision of the Policy Manual, and serves on the Building Committee for the Lincoln High School Construction project.  Ms. Roll is currently Immediate Past President of RIASC and has served as President-Elect and President from 2018 to 2020.  Mary Anne has also exhibited dedication to ongoing professional development, as evidenced by her graduation from RIASC’s Leadership Development Academy, and her 458 hours of RIASC professional development, as a member of the Master’s Academy.  From 2000 to 2017, she served as the Director of the Cumberland Schools Volunteers.  She also served as President of the Rhode Island PTA.

Upon accepting the award, Ms. Roll stated, “ I am so honored to be named the 2021recipient of the Howard Kay Award.  I believe that serving on a School Committee provides a wonderful opportunity to make a real difference in the community.  I came to appreciate the value of public education when my children were students in the Lincoln Public Schools.  During that time, I also learned the value of advocacy in support of public education. It was this that led me to run for a seat in 2004. Over the past 17 years, I have come to realize the importance of staying focused on supporting the School District’s efforts to provide the best opportunity every day, for every student that comes through the doors of our public schools.  I am also grateful to RIASC for providing both  the quality professional development opportunities that have helped me to become a better School Committee member and the connection to a network of dedicated School Committee members across the state.”