2014 -- H 8244

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LC005780

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2014

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING BRISTOL/WARREN REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

SUPERINTENDENT MELINDA L. THIES ON HER RETIREMENT AFTER THIRTY YEARS

OF DISTINGUISHED AND DEVOTED SERVICE AS A SCHOOL TEACHER AND

EDUCATION ADMINISTRATOR

     Introduced By: Representatives Gallison, Malik, and Marshall

     Date Introduced: May 28, 2014

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, Melinda L. Thies is retiring from her position as the Superintendent of

Schools for the Bristol/Warren Regional School District after many years as an innovative and

distinguished public school teacher and administrator; and

     WHEREAS, Melinda L. Thies began her distinguished education career in September of

1984, when she was appointed to a teaching position as an English Arts Teacher at Martin Middle

School in East Providence, a position she held for sixteen years. In 2000, she decided to use her

significant talents to serve as an administrator within the public schools. After short stints as an

Administrative Intern to the East Providence Superintendent of Public Schools and as an English

Department Coordinator at the Martin Middle School in East Providence, Ms. Thies was selected

to serve as the Assistant Principal of Cranston West High School, a position she held for three

school years; and

     WHEREAS, Ms. Thies’ innovative management ideas, attention to detail, hard work, and

passion for ensuring that all children receive a high quality education were immediately noticed

by her peers and superiors. As a result, she was selected by the Cranston Public School

Department to serve as Principal of the Park View Middle School, a position she held for three

years before being selected in 2006 to serve as the Assistant Superintendent of the Bristol/Warren

Regional School District; and

     WHEREAS, Since November 30, 2009, Ms. Thies has served the citizens of Bristol and

Warren as the Superintendent of the Bristol/Warren Regional School District. She has impressed

all who have observed her for her strenuous work ethic, integrity, diligence, and ability to work

cohesively with parents, teachers and students to ensure a safe and intellectually stimulating

environment that allows students to fully develop their natural abilities and to mature and grow

into good citizens and successful adults; and

     WHEREAS, Superintendent Thies has served on numerous boards and committees and

assisted with a variety of charities including serving as a member of the Rhode Island School

Superintendent’s Association Executive Board, a Trustee of the Rhode Island Interlocal Risk

Management Trust, a member of the East Bay Educational Collaborative, a member of the

Bristol/Warren Education Foundation Executive Board, and as a member of the Bristol Rotary

Club; and

     WHEREAS, Superintendent Thies holds a Bachelor of Arts in English degree from the

University of Connecticut, a Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Rhode Island College, and a

Master of Education in Administration from Providence College. She is married to David Boyes

and is the mother of three children, the step-mother of several step-children, and is a

grandmother; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby congratulates Melinda L. Thies on her retirement as

Superintendent of the Bristol/Warren Regional School District after thirty years of dedicated and

distinguished service as a teacher and administrator; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Melinda L. Thies, Superintendent,

Bristol/Warren Regional School District.

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LC005780

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