NORTH KINGSTOWN — Just before the election, a political group sent out e-mails asking voters to reject Lynda Avanzato as a candidate for the School Committee. The lawyer and parent had sued a former superintendent and would be bad for the school district, the group said.

The e-mails didn’t work. Voters elected Avanzato and two other Democrats to the School Committee: incumbent Melvoid Benson, a former lawmaker, and businessman Richard Welch. They beat GOP hopefuls Lance Chappell and Ralph Balsamo.

The Concerned Citizens of North Kingstown sent the e-mails, including one to Avanzato’s husband. The CCNK scored one victory: the group panned Benson but approved Welch.

The outcome will give Democrats a majority voice, but the job won’t be easy. Officials face a $1-million deficit, a money-losing cafeteria and a search for a new superintendent.

“The important issue is finding a superintendent,” said Welch, the top vote getter in Tuesday’s election. “We need someone who will run the ship.”

The district has had two permanent and two interim superintendents in the last two years, and hopes to hire a new manager early next year.

Some past superintendents have failed to follow the direction of the School Committee, said Welch, chairman of the town’s Asset Management Commission and owner of Apple Construction Corp. “The superintendent is the captain and the School Committee members are the admirals, and they are supposed to give direction to the captain.”

The School Committee has made some good decisions, he said. After years of debate, the board this month gave the closed Wickford Elementary School to the town.

But there are other issues, such as deferred maintenance on some schools.

Another problem, he says, is that the committee hasn’t worked well in the past. Committee members have yelled at meetings, walked out and even complained to the police.

“What I’m really hoping is that we can get people to act like professionals, more like the Town Council. You can disagree with someone without being combative or insulting.”

— Paul Davis

pdavis@projo.com