Senate Dist. 18 candidate Frank A. DeVall Jr. credits his parents and various mentors for instilling in him the importance of giving back to the community.

The East Providence resident was a teacher, coach and administrator in the East Providence School Department for the past 22 years. He was the Martin Middle School principal for the past four years, but resigned in May to “pursue other challenges” at the Calcutt Middle School in Central Falls.

“I am proud to say that through the efforts of the entire [Martin] school community, we revitalized the pride in our school and it has been classified as a ‘High Performing’ middle school for the past three years,” DeVall wrote in a recent news release. “All of this was accomplished by the collaborative effort of all vested parties.”

The 1986 Providence College graduate continued, “When I made the decision in June to run for the vacated state Senate seat in District 18 of East Providence, I reflected on my fortunate life in East Providence over the past 40 years. My parents and various mentors helped guide me throughout my life and instilled in me the importance of giving back to the community.”

DeVall, of Monmouth Drive, faces East Providence Mayor Isadore Ramos and former City Councilman Joseph Botelho Jr. in the upcoming primary for outgoing Sen. Paul Moura’s seat. The winning Democrat then competes against Republican Marcel Robert and resident Lynn Vargas, an independent, in the general election.

“Apart from my various duties in the School Department, I’ve been active in volunteering in the Riverside Little League, Riverside Raiders Pop Warner Football, Rumford Little League, and Saint Brendan’s parish teaching CCD and coaching basketball,” DeVall wrote. “As the principal of Martin Middle School, we also reached out to assist our local citizens in need by running food and coat drives in association with our E.P. Community Center.”

He continued, “Since I’m no longer employed by the district I am now able to run for political office. My hope as your next senator is to provide our citizens with a voice for their concerns in the General Assembly.”

He said he has met and listened to several residents over the past weeks and several are dissatisfied with the rising cost of education in our city and “frustrated with all levels of government over the issues that are costly to our city and state.” He said if elected, he will explore opportunities to expand school district partnerships with state colleges and universities.

DeVall also plans to look into the benefits of hiring grant writers for the city to attempt to secure the numerous grant opportunities that are available to support education, public health and safety and overall city improvements. He said the investment of a grant writer or two would pay its own dividends.

Wrote DeVall, “It is happening elsewhere and it can happen here!”

— Alisha A. Pina