Why Jermoh Kamara Is Back For New Worcester School Committee Seat: Q&A

WORCESTER, MA — In 2023, Worcester voters will elect school committee members in an entirely new fashion, picking representatives from new districts across the city along with a slate of at-large members.

The new election system is the result of a settlement of a lawsuit filed against Worcester in 2021 by a coalition led by the Worcester NAACP over the city's all at-large school committee. Electing members at-large led to a school committee comprised of mostly white members who didn't represent the diversity of the second-largest school system in Massachusetts, the lawsuit said.

After the settlement, election expert portioned Worcester into six school committee district lettered A to F, plus four at-large seats. The new system will create a larger school committee, and one whose members will at least be the most geographically diverse in modern times.

Incumbent Jermoh Kamara is running for the District C seat in 2023 after she won a school committee seat in the 2021 election. The seat covers a large portion of eastern Worcester including Grafton Hill and a chunk of downtown. Kamara, the associate director of Worcester Polytechnic Institute's Center for Well-Being, is facing Dianna Biancheria in the District C race. Biancheria was knocked out in the 2021 election after six terms on the committee.

Worcester Patch asked Kamara to respond to a questionnaire to help inform voters on a host of school issues ahead of Election Day. Here's how she responded:

What motivated you to run for Worcester School Committee this year?

As a former student of Worcester Public Schools, I know how crucial it is for students to have equal opportunities to succeed. That's why I'm excited to announce my candidacy for a second term in the newly created School Committee District C! During my first term, I've achieved a lot as part of a team. I served on the Ad Hoc committee that hired a new superintendent, and as Vice Chair of the Finance and Operations subcommittee, I helped to implement our district's transportation system, which included the hiring of more drivers and focusing on building maintenance. Additionally, as a member of the Teaching, Learning, and Student Support subcommittee, I advocated for an integrated school-based mental and health plan that includes investing in student’s mental health by the creation of a wellness room. This year, all of our secondary schools have integrated wellness spaces where restorative practices take place. My goal is to continue advocating for equitable allocation of resources, supporting programs that build students' skill sets for vocational careers or college , and uplifting the voices of parents and educators. I want to continue supporting the progress we've made since hiring a new superintendent, and ensure a better future for our students. Let’s support my re-election in District C!

This is the first school committee election under the new district system, and four of the new district seats are uncontested. Do you think the voting public knows that the system has changed, and if not, what role does the school committee play in spreading awareness?

The voting public in Worcester has been neglected for years, resulting in fewer people voting during local elections. It's time for the City of Worcester to step up and take responsibility by educating the public on local elections. Sending out one postcard detailing changes in the new school committee district is not enough. I believe that candidates for school committee and all candidates seeking elected office should focus on hearing voter’s feedback and educating them about the education system.

Worcester is now home to the first charter school to open in Massachusetts in five years, and the current school committee opposed the opening of the Worcester Cultural Academy. What’s your stance on charter schools in general and this one specifically?

Investing in strong public education for all children, regardless of background, is crucial for a better future. State policymakers should prioritize funding public schools that support special needs and English language learners, rather than diverting resources to charter schools with unproven records. A new charter school in Worcester lacks originality and doesn't warrant the need for its existence. Let's explore alternative funding options for charter schools or change their management to report to the educational district. Public schools need all the funding they can get to continue being innovative.

The Worcester Diocese has implemented a new policy in its local schools that many have called anti-LGBTQ+, and there’s been a larger movement across the nation to ban lessons and books in schools dealing with sex and gender issues. How do you feel about these issues?

The right to read and the access to information are fundamental human rights and they should be available to everyone without exception. It is our responsibility to ensure that every child and their parents have the freedom to choose what is in their best interest. My view on this matter aligns with article 17 of UNICEF’s Convention on the Rights of the Child which stipulates, “Children have the right to get information from the Internet, radio, television, newspapers, books and other sources. Adults should make sure the information they are getting is not harmful. Governments should encourage the media to share information from lots of different sources, in languages that all children can understand.”

Worcester will soon open the new Doherty High School, but many other buildings in the district are either in need of repair or replacement. How should the district prioritize these projects?

Climate change has had an extreme impact on our schools and our communities, forcing us to prioritize the health of our students and staff. We must consider the unique challenges faced by urban schools within WPS Quadrants and areas with high concentrations of immigrants. Heat island neighborhoods, which are often home to low-income residents and people of color, are particularly vulnerable. That's why WPS should prioritize maintenance within these schools and building new schools in urban areas is crucial. Thankfully, Burncoat Middle/High is next on the list but Worcester East Middle should highly be considered as well as our Elementary schools. But we need more robust ways to advocate for funding at the federal level. That's why I strongly support Senator Ed Markey's "Green New Deal for Public Schools Act," which would invest 1.6 trillion over the next decade in public schools to upgrade every building and reduce hazardous pollution. I plan to be a champion for Worcester on this initiative to ensure that our city can benefit adequately.

The Worcester School Committee has started a review of the district’s cell phone policy. What would you want that policy to look like?

As policymakers of the Worcester School District, we must prioritize the effectiveness of our district cell phone policy. Worcester Public Schools has already taken steps towards equity by providing all students with 1:1 Chromebooks, which have similar capacities to cell phones. Learning apps can be downloaded onto Chromebooks, ensuring that all students have access to the same educational resources. To prepare our students for the professional world, we should take a page out of Worcester Technical High School's book. Their cell phone policy, which requires students to place their devices in a "shoe rack" during instructional and shop time, has garnered support from teachers, students, and parents alike. This policy allows teachers to focus on educating without the distraction of cell phones or earbuds, ultimately improving educational outcomes for all students.

As we work towards building future-ready leaders, let's advocate for a cell phone policy that supports our teachers and students. A policy like WTHS can help eliminate distractions, improve learning outcomes, and prepare our students for success in the professional world. Let's prioritize our students' education and future success.

Read previous 2023 Worcester School Committee candidate profiles:

• Sue Mailman, At-Large
• Tracy Novick, At-Large
• Laura Clancey, At-Large
• Molly McCullough, District A