LINCOLN – The Town Council on Tuesday appointed long-time North Attleborough educator and former Lincoln Principal Jeannine Magliocco to the School Committee seat previously held by Staci Rapko for 12 years. She will serve out the remainder of Rapko’s term until January.
Rapko resigned this month due to personal, professional, and family commitments, making the decision during the signature period, so Magliocco will have to seek the seat through a write-in campaign and says she intends to do so.
Magliocco said she’s been thinking about running for school board for a long time, and when she learned of Rapko stepping down, she saw it as a great opportunity. She said she’s known Rapko for a long time, personally and professionally, and they have great mutual respect. Rapko has done such a great job, she said, and she embraces the challenge of taking on a seat that’s been well cared for, orchestrated, and carried out for the people. Some might shy away from that situation, she said, but she sees it as a standard for her to live up to.
Magliocco said she has deep connections in Lincoln, both educationally and personally with her children going through the schools here. She said she looks forward to connecting with many of the neighbors and residents she’s known for a long time, and if someone else should also attempt a write-in campaign, she would look forward to a full and healthy campaign to highlight her strengths.
Councilor Ken Pichette said Tuesday that when he spoke to Magliocco about the appointment, she informed him that she will be seeking the seat on a permanent basis as a write-in candidate in November.
School Committee Chairperson Joseph Goho said Magliocco has an impressive resume, and he is pleased to announce her appointment to the District 5 seat.
“Mrs. Magliocco is a highly qualified, well respected, experienced, and talented educator who has been a classroom teacher and administrator for 34 years,” he said. “Her professional demeanor and outstanding interpersonal skills make (her) an ideal candidate to serve the students, families, and staff of Lincoln Public Schools. Jeannine is long time well-respected Lincoln resident whose children attended Lincoln schools. We could not ask for a more qualified candidate or better person to become our colleague.”
Magliocco has been North Attleborough schools lead and senior elementary principal since 2023, English learner education coordinator for K-12 since 2019, a certified facilitator for the National Institute for School Leadership since 2018, principal at Roosevelt Avenue School since 2018, and an adjunct professor at Rhode Island College for 11 years.
She was principal at the Henry Barnard School at Rhode Island College from 2014 to 2018, and principal for Lonsdale Elementary School in Lincoln from 2008 to 2014, where she was chosen as a finalist for elementary principal of the year in 2013 and 2014.
She was school accountability for learning and teaching fellow for the Rhode Island Department of Education from 2006 to 2008, and special education teacher and 4th-grade teacher in Middletown from 1992 to 2006.
Magliocco was sworn in and will begin her new role immediately, including participation in the August meeting, and will serve as a member of the policy subcommittee.
“I would like to thank Mrs. Staci Rapko who admirably served as a member of the Lincoln School Committee for the last 12 years, and I would like to personally thank her for her outstanding service to Lincoln Public Schools,” said Goho.
He also thanked District 5 Councilor Pichette for nominating Magliocco to the School Committee, as well as the entire Town Council for supporting her. Pichette, Councilor Bruce Ogni, and Town Administrator Phil Gould all had high praise for Magliocco.
“The Lincoln School Committee, the Lincoln Town Council, the Lincoln Budget Board, and the Lincoln Town Administrator Gould have set a high standard for effective and competent government built upon mutual respect, professionalism, and collaboration,” said Goho. “Mrs. Magliocco will represent District 5 with this same commitment and focus. We look forward to working with her for the next several months, and hopefully for many more years beyond.”
Magliocco told The Local Insider she has always had a very collaborative leadership style in whatever she’s been involved with, and always commits to doing what’s right and empowering those around her and leveraging other people’s leadership.
As an elementary principal for so long, she said, it’s always been her style to do first what’s best for students.
“Ask any person I’ve ever worked with and been a leader of,” she said, adding that she’ll be the same way as a school board member and won’t waver from it.
Magliocco said she can picture herself retiring from the North Attleborough district, saying she loves the team there and has the best superintendent imaginable. She works especially well with the elementary team, she said, but also has extensive experience collaborating across all grade levels with her other position.
“I enjoy coming to work every single day,” she said.
On her life outside of school, she said she loves watching her own children thrive and grow, enjoys gardening, and can’t get enough of enjoying everything Rhode Island has to offer.
“I’m a very proud Rhode Islander,” she said, adding that she also loves being around her family, including her mother, brother and his family, and sister and her family. Their pets, including her daughter’s two rescue dogs, are also a big part of her life.
Magliocco said one thing many people don’t know about her is that she’s an identical twin, and she loves hearing time and experiences with her sister, Jennifer Lithway. The same is true for her brother, Scott Preuit, her mother, Mary Connor, and father, Paul Preuit.
