Mary McClure, director at CIT, Providence School Board member

McClure, who's worked at Brown since 1984, was appointed to the nine-member school board by Mayor Vincent Cianci in January 1999. She first became involved with the city's schools when her sons - now 19 and 23 - were students; like many other parents, she joined the PTA. That led to other activities, and her involvement soon turned into activism.

"We kept running into systemic problems, so we formed a parents group seeking change," she recalled.

When the parents group identified problems and proposed solutions that matched those of an official city study panel, McClure decided to apply for appointment to the school board. She was passed over that time, but two years ago City Councilwoman Rita Williams encouraged her to try again. Although her children were grown, McClure knew her interest in the city's schools hadn't waned; she decided to offer her hand a second time - and this time she won the job.

Working at Brown has prepared her well for service on the school board, according to McClure. It has influenced the way she views her role and how she makes decisions, in addition to fueling her determination to avoid micro-managing school department business.

"Brown is complex, so it gives me an appreciation for the complexity of the school system," she said. "I've had many opportunities working with various people to learn a lot about management."

Serving in such a visible - and often sensitive - position is not for the lazy or the faint of heart. The school board meets twice monthly, and members invest hours of work in preparation, research and other duties. Their agenda involves such weighty subjects as school bus strikes, controversial performance bonuses and how to realign resources to increase accountability and meet state standards.

"At times it feels like another job, and I could easily make it another job," McClure said.

And the city school system is "inherently political," she added. "That's been difficult for me, since I don't think of Brown as a particularly political environment. It's very different in the city, since there are many constituencies. It's hard not to be pulled by those."

With last year's hiring of Superintendent Diana Lam, "situations are revving up," McClure said. She gives the school chief high grades.

"Diana Lam is an amazing superintendent. She has vision, dedication and passion, and we're fortunate to have her," she said. "I want to help Providence realize what she can bring us."

The school board's primary focus is on policy, and that's where McClure would like it to remain. "I want to be on the policy end, rather than tackling day-to-day issues," she said. "I'd rather set general goals for the superintendent and schools."

McClure said she plans to stand for reappointment when her three-year term comes to an end; her work isn't done yet.

"I would like our schools to be places where I'd send my children and recommend that others send theirs," she said. "I want them to be the schools of first choice, not last resort. I'd like them to be as good as the best private schools.

"Everybody looks for meaning in their lives," she added. "This has meaning for me." - Mary Jo Curtis