Mayor Taveras Appoints Phanida Phivilay and Nicholas Hemond to Providence School Board

School Board accepting applications to fill open seat; deadline to apply is January 25.

Mayor Angel Taveras has appointed Phanida Phivilay and Nicholas Hemond to serve on the Providence School Board. The nominations have been approved by the City Council and the appointees were sworn in during a ceremony earlier this month.

Hemond was first appointed to the School Board in August of 2011 to fill a vacant position. Phivilay has not previously served on the School Board. Both have been appointed for three-year terms that expire on December 31, 2015.

"The Providence School Board plays a unique and important role in shaping public education and contributing to the transformation of our schools. As School Board members, Phanida and Nick will be strong advocates for our students, and will be committed to making sure all of our students receive a first-rate education," said Mayor Angel Taveras.
Phivilay, born in Laos, has been a Providence resident for more than 25 years. She currently works as a vaccine distribution coordinator for the Rhode Island Department of Health and has held several positions related to promoting community health with the Rhode Island Department of Health, Women & Infants Hospital and the Providence Community Health Centers.

Phivilay serves the first elected female President of the Socio-Economic Development Center for Southeast Asians Board of Directors. She also serves on the board of the Laotian Cultural Center of Rhode Island and as a member of Mayor Taveras' Southeast Asian Advisory Committee.

Phivilay has an Associate Degree in Arts from the Community College of Rhode Island and plans to finish her nursing degree at Rhode Island College.

"I am privileged and honored to be appointed to serve on the Providence School Board," said Phivilay. "The School Board plays a vital role in our work to improve our schools, and I look forward to working with Mayor Taveras, the Providence City Council, and the School Department along with teachers, families and the community. I've always had a strong passion for public service and want to serve as a role model to our community. Being of Southeast Asian descent, I hope to be a voice for the Southeast Asian community and for our entire City."

Nicholas Hemond is an attorney and political strategist in Providence. Hemond obtained a law degree from Roger Williams University School of Law in 2012 and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from Providence College in 2009. He is a lifelong resident of Providence and attended Providence Public Schools from kindergarten through his graduation from Classical High School in 2005.

During his first term on the Providence School Board, Hemond worked with a Providence youth activism organization, Youth 4 Change, leading an effort to expand the availability of free bus passes to high school students. He also was elected by his colleagues to be the first chairman of the School Board Policy Committee, created in an effort to expand the involvement of community stakeholders in the Board's policymaking process.

"I am honored by Mayor Taveras' continuing trust in my commitment to our school system," said Nicholas Hemond. "It is a great responsibility to serve on the Board that is charged with tackling the many challenges that face our schools. I believe that we have a strong team in place that is ready to meet those challenges. I will continue to discharge my duties over the next three years with one thing in mind - the best interests of the students and their families in the City of Providence."

Nomination Process to Reopen

The Providence School Board Nominating Commission is currently accepting applications for one vacancy on the School Board. Candidates with strong finance and/or policy experience are particularly encouraged to apply for the position with a term to end on December 31, 2015.

The deadline to apply is 4pm on Friday, January 25, 2013. Interviews for the position will likely be conducted the week of January 28, 2013.

School Board members are appointed to three-year terms, which are staggered to have three positions up for renewal every year. School Board members whose terms are expiring have the possibility of reappointment to subsequent three-year terms.

A job description and application to be submitted online can be found at http://www.providenceri.com/schools/nominating-commission-application/ or can be downloaded at http://www.providenceri.com/efile/3703 and returned to the Office of Neighborhood Services, on the first floor of Providence City Hall.

The City is reaching out to community groups throughout Providence to encourage individuals to apply.

At the conclusion of the application process, Mayor Taveras will select nominees from a pool of finalists recommended by the Nominating Commission.