Over the past 2 years, Anthony has collaborated closely with his fellow committee members and the school administration to enhance school security, improve school facilities, and maintain high educational standards for all Cranston students. His active participation in PTO meetings, sporting events, recitals, award ceremonies, and fundraising events highlights his commitment to the community.

Anthony plans to succeed former Mayor Michael Traficante, who has served on the school committee for 24 years and is now term-limited. "I know I have some big shoes to fill, but I have learned a great deal from Chairman Michael Traficante, my mentor and friend. I am sure when I need his help, he will be right there with me. We need to keep our momentum going," Anthony stated.

With a degree in Culinary Arts from the Rhode Island School of Design, Anthony has enjoyed a successful 30+ year career in the foodservice industry. Seventeen of those years were spent as the Food Service Director for the Cranston Department of Senior Services, where he developed intergenerational programs and managed department budgets. He currently serves as the Director of Sales for a local food service distributor.

“We have some of the best schools in the state. We need to keep it that way. The children and residents of Cranston deserve to have the best available education, and it will be my focus to bring that to them,” concluded Melillo.

Priorities

Anthony’s priorities lie strongly with inviolable Neighborhood Public Schools, Early Childhood education, and Student Mental Health.

Neighborhood Public Schools

Anthony strongly believes that each public school should be a resource-rich nucleus of the communities it serves. In order to address all the needs of CPSD students, our schools need to be fully staffed with full-time counselors, psychiatric social workers, librarians, nurses, supervising aides, and paraprofessionals.

Early Childhood Education

The immediate and long-term cognitive benefits of a high-quality early education, including preschool, are unquestionable. Anthony understands firsthand the enduring and everlasting positive impacts of early education, and it will be a top priority of Anthony’s to provide improved access for all parents.

Student Mental Health

Anthony recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has set back the mental health and social- emotional well-being of many students. Anthony wants to work towards schools having the means to provide students with immediate access to qualified psychiatric social workers and mental-health resources to address trauma surrounding the lingering effects of Covid-19.

Achieving These Goals

To achieve this, Anthony will work with the board and superintendent to always prioritize the equitable support, safety, and the wellbeing of students and teachers in the classroom. This includes putting aside political rhetoric to do what we must do for the best outcomes for students. To achieve this, Anthony will ask questions such as: How will this impact the classroom? What impact will that have on teachers? What impact will it have on students? Together, Anthony believes he can uplift the mission and vision of the district and accomplish the academic goals of the district.

Anthony plans to uplift the voices of his constituents and the people who spend the most time in the classrooms: teachers, students, their families, as well as administration. His plan is to implement systems and communication efforts to prevent gatekeeping and ensure that no one is excluded. Anthony also plans to host listening sessions periodically (outside of board meetings), to have an open space to meet with his constituents.

Cranston Public Schools will provide equitable access and opportunity in a safe and supportive environment that addresses the individual needs of students.

Cranston Public Schools will align the work of schools and departments and create a system of high-quality accountability for instruction, social, emotional, and physical health and safety.

Cranston Public Schools will create a clear direction for efficient and effective operations to better serve students and improve staff morale.

Cranston Public Schools will improve all modes of communications to better inform and engage the Cranston community invested in public education.

We cannot accomplish any of the above goals without the support or buy-in from teachers, staff, students, and families. As board members we must support the superintendent on implementation of these goals, listen to teachers and staff to identify challenges and opportunities to actualize these goals, and we must always value the concerns, challenges, and best practices identified by students and families. Beyond implementation, Anthony believes these goals are the steps necessary to provide hope for Cranston Public schools, and Anthony is fully committed to putting in the work to ensure these goals, and beyond, are achieved.

He believes collaboration is important; that every story and voice is a valuable asset. Anthony wants to model that in how he approaches working with other board members, listening to their stories, the stories of their constituents, and centering those stories, and allowing voices to be heard when we develop policies that are equitable.