North Kingstown School Committee chair, vice-chair not seeking re-election

NORTH KINGSTONW, R.I. (WLNE)– Two members of the North Kingstown School Committee have decided not to run in 2022.

Chairman Gregory Blasbalg and Vice Chairwoman Lisa Hildebrand did not file to seek re-election, according to the North Kingstown Board of Canvassers. The filing deadline was 4 p.m. Wednesday.

The departures of Blasbalg and Hildebrand comes after the superintendent and assistant superintendent both left the district this year following the investigation into the allegations of former boys’ basketball coach Aaron Thomas.

The school committee has been under fire by the community about the conduct of Thomas and how he was able to stay in his position despite allegation of him performing “naked fat tests” dating back to the 1990s.

Two civil suits have been filed by reported victims of Thomas against the school committee where Blasbalg and Hildebrand are both listed as defendants.

“Changed is certainly called for,” said Timothy Conlon, the attorney representing the victims in the suits.

ABC 6 News has reached out to both for comment and have not yet heard back.

According to the candidate filings, six people have entered the race for the two open school committee seats.