Talking About Change

I remember a time when Aquidneck Island was as much a social entity as a geographical one. I rode the bus daily from Middletown to Rogers High School (now Thompson Middle School) and, when the warmer weather arrived, my friends and I walked the 2 miles home across the town line. Portsmouth teenagers were also members of the island’s high school body and, though there were the typical differences - usually based on interests - those in the 3 communities got along pretty well.

Over the years, the 3 island communities gradually grew apart, proudly developing their own unique characters, often centered around the evolving separate school systems. Athletic competitions were entertaining – Rogers vs. Middletown, then Middletown vs. Portsmouth – but the friendly rivalry had the effect of promoting a sense of separateness that gradually permeated other aspects of island life and increased the divisions.

Although the island was traumatized by the exodus of the Navy ships in the early 1970’s, the communities recovered and developed in new directions that further emphasized the uniqueness of their characters. Newport grew into a tourist mecca. Middletown expanded its defense industries. Portsmouth evolved as a rural bedroom community.

The local schools were central to growing families, who watched Little League games and attended choral concerts in their respective locations. The island economy began to expand, the schools were models of educational success, and all was well with Aquidneck Island. Why worry about what was going on upstate? As long as the money flowed downstream, it was business as usual on Aquidneck Island.

Unfortunately, the page has turned on that story for a number of reasons, not the least of which are the economic recession and the budget deficits that will make it difficult, if not impossible, for the island communities to any longer ignore the rest of the state. The problems of the state government are now island problems as well.

If we want to maintain the lifestyle we like on Aquidneck Island, we will have to make some changes in the way we do business, and one place we can start that will make a big difference is in the way we provide services and support education.