Maureen Binienda Seeks Return To Worcester Schools In 2023 Election

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester voters in 2023 will elect school committee members in a new way with districts representing portions of the city and at-large members representing the whole.

The new election system comes after a 2021 lawsuit 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.

In 2023, voters will elect six new members in districts lettered A to F, plus two at-large members. The new system will create a larger school committee, and one whose members will probably be the most geographically diverse in modern times.

Former Worcester superintendent Maureen Binienda — now the interim superintendent in Easthampton — is trying to pick up one of those two at-large seats in a race with three incumbent committee members: Sue Mailman, Tracy Novick and Laura Clancey. Novick and Clancey were among the majority who voted in 2021 not to renew Binienda's contract, leading to the hiring of new Worcester Superintendent Rachel Monarrez.

(The four at-large school committee candidates met at a Sept. 27 candidate forum, which you can read a recap of here.)

The new school committee arrangement isn't the only issue facing Worcester schools this year. The district is tackling issues like aging buildings, school safety, and outside factors like a possible ballot measure to eliminate MCAS and the incursion of a new charter school opposed unanimously by the committee earlier this year.

Along with all other school committee candidates running opposed and unopposed in 2023, Worcester Patch asked Binienda to respond to a questionnaire to help inform voters about her stance on local issues ahead of Election Day. Here's how she responded:

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

My inspiration stems from a lifelong dedication to public service, particularly in educating our students. I care deeply about our community and what better way to ensure that our students receive the very best in education, resources and support than to bring my decades of hands-on, on the job experiences and perspective to the school committee. I have a proven track record of successful cooperation and innovative program development with city agencies and organizations, and extensive knowledge of community resources. I intend to bring that knowledge base and valuable experiences amassed during my 47 years in education, to the school committee.

I have dedicated 47 years to public service in education, 18 years as a teacher, 22 years as an administrator, and 6 years as the WPS Superintendent. I have a B.S. in Elementary and Special Education, two Masters, one in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy from Harvard's Graduate School of Education. Currently, I serve as the Interim Superintendent of the Easthampton School District, previously holding the same position in the Quaboag Regional School District during the 2022-2023 school year.

I believe that having an experienced public educator on the school committee board is essential. District oversight boards benefit from individuals who deeply understand the inner workings of education, and have experienced the changes in our educational system. My comprehensive background, from the ground up as a teacher, principal and superintendent, along with my unwavering commitment to students, educators, families, and the community, make me the ideal candidate for Worcester's School Committee. I have the experiences necessary to make informed, student and community conscious decisions necessary to build one of if not the strongest school district, and I consider it my duty to continue to serve the Worcester community in this new capacity.

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 transition to a new district system for school committee elections is a significant change in Worcester. It's crucial that we ensure the public is aware of the new system. The school committee can play a critical role in spreading awareness in several ways including;

Community Engagement: The school committee can actively engage with the community through scheduled meetings, community forums, and information sessions. This is a powerful platform that can be harnessed to explain the changes while creating the space for the Committee to address any concerns or questions from the public.

Educational Outreach: The school committee can work with local schools, parent-teacher organizations, and community organizations to disseminate information about the new system. This could include distributing pamphlets, holding workshops, and using social media platforms to share information.

Transparency: In order to build trust, the school committee should be committed to full transparency. This includes providing easily accessible information about the new voting districts on the Worcester Public School’s website, sharing the redistricting process, and explaining how it impacts each school and neighborhood.

Partnerships: The school committee should collaborate with local media outlets, such as newspapers, radio stations, and community television, to help them in reaching a broader audience and ensuring that the new district system is conveyed widely and accurately. Engaging Parents and Students: It is vital that the school committee involve parents and students in any awareness campaign about the new district system. It is crucial that they are not only aware, but afforded the opportunity to get their voices heard, because they will be most affected by the outcome of these elections. Students can play a role in spreading the message within their schools, and parents can serve as advocates in their neighborhoods. The city election office often visits high schools prior to elections toregister and inform new voters. The school committee can utilize this to educate students, and new voters about the changes.

Feedback Channels: The school committee should establish clear feedback channels for community members to express their concerns and suggestions. This will help address any issues that arise during the transition.

The above are clear opportunities that the school committee can use to engage the community at large. Regardless of which combination of opportunities the school committee utilizes, the ultimate goal is to ensure that every eligible voter in our district is informed about the changes, understands the new system, and can make an informed decision in this election. As a candidate, I am committed to working with the school committee and the community to ensure that the public is well-informed about the new district system and that their voices are heard. Together, we can build a more engaged and informed community that actively participates in shaping the future of our schools.

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?

Charter Schools were approved on July 11, 1997, Chapter 46 of the Acts 1997. Charter schools under its enabling statute were established with specific goals, goals that the WPS has always worked to achieve. The controversy for me is there is no separate state funding source for charter schools. Worcester Public Schools (WPS) is responsible for covering a portion of the costs associated with charter schools including transportation. Although there is a gradual cost for districts to pay for charter schools, the use of any funding out of the already crucial budget affects the programs and services for the students, staff and families of the Worcester Public Schools.

As a public servant for 47 years in the WPS system, I understand both sides of the issue. After working so many years in the WPS, I know the Worcester Public Schools offers innovative programs for ALL students. There are many opportunities for inventive instruction and assessments. Teacher and school administrators implement performance based learning, and staff and administrators are held accountable for student performance. The Worcester Public Schools have developed model programs such as the Arts Programs, Innovative Pathways, Early College, Chapter 74 Programs in Vocational and Comprehensive High Schools, and Dual-Language Programs. I am confident that the WPS will continue to provide the very best education and support for its students and staff as long as the school committee continues to advocate and deliver diligent and well informed decisions to which I hope to add my voice and experiences.

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?

I believe that public schools should be safe, inclusive, and welcoming environments for all students, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. It is crucial to respect and protect the rights and dignity of LGBTQ+ students and their families. Discrimination or policies that are perceived as anti-LGBTQ+ have no place in our educational institutions.

Regarding the policy implemented by the Roman Catholic Diocese in local schools, it is essential to recognize that private and religious schools have the autonomy to establish their own policies and curricula. As a candidate for the public school committee, my primary focus is on the policies and practices within our public schools with the goal that our inclusive policies will educate and serve as an example for others to emulate.

In the broader national movement to ban lessons and books dealing with sex and gender issues, it is essential to strike a balance between respecting the values and beliefs of various communities while ensuring that our public school curriculum is comprehensive, inclusive, and evidence-based. As a district we can achieve this through intentional steps and ongoing monitoring specifically:

We must always operate within the legal and ethical framework established by state and federal laws. This framework protects the rights of LGBTQ+ students and ensures that public schools remain inclusive and welcoming. Also we must commit to promoting diversity and inclusivity within our public schools. Our classrooms should be safe spaces where all students can learn, grow, and express themselves without fear of discrimination or bullying. Finally it is crucial that we engage the community in discussions about the curriculum and policies. We should listen to the concerns of parents, guardians, and community members while also upholding the principles of equity and nondiscrimination.

As a candidate for the Worcester Public School Committee, I continue to be committed to promoting inclusivity, respect for all students, and evidence-based education in our public schools. I believe that it is our responsibility to create and sustain an environment that is not only academically enriching but also supportive of the diverse needs of our students, including those related to sex and gender issues. I will work as a member of the committee, with the administration, to ensure our schools are places where all students can thrive and reach their full potential.

If you could pick anything, what goals would you set for Superintendent Rachel Monárrez in the coming school committee term?

As former superintendent of the WPS, I am uniquely aware of the challenges that Superintendent Monárrez faces balancing all the interests involved to deliver the very best education for our students. I think it is very important that Superintendent Monárrez and her team propose their future goals based on the district’s current data and feedback from stakeholders. Ideally, these goals should highlight the district’s current strengths while prioritizing the district’s needs through the development and delivery of proactive plans regarding school safety, academic access, equity, budget accountability and strategies to strengthen school and community partnerships. Clarity on these goals from Superintendent Monárrez will not only provide much needed transparency, but aid the school committee members in making decisive, informed decisions as well as allowing room for constructive feedback, adjustments or changes on these goals from the school committee and the community at large. This deliberate, transparent process will serve the best interests of students, staff and families by ensuring the effective execution of these goals.

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?

I am very proud and excited for the opening of the new Doherty High School. It is important that we acknowledge that Worcester Public Schools (WPS) has some of the oldest infrastructure in the state, in fact some of our buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places. As a School Committee member I would work to prioritize our schools most in need for the continued success of our district. Over the years there have been some improvements however, there are additional improvements needed to provide students access to educational resources such as updated science labs and media centers, flexible spaces for varied groupings of students, world language labs, physical education and wellness spaces.

During my tenure as Superintendent of WPS, I worked closely on the planning and project completion as well as funding sources to update our buildings. As a School Committee member, I will not only bring the expertise garnered from these experiences to inform our work, but will continue to look for funding opportunities to improve our building infrastructure and education resources for students and staff. I will advocate for additional funding from the city and state budget, and conduct regular conversations with elected representatives for school infrastructure and educational facilities improvement as part of the WPS Capital Improvement Plan. Finally, the WPS facilities department has some of the most skilled employees such as plumbers, electricians, carpenters and custodians, who work tirelessly to make sure our schools are safe and in working order. As a School Committee member, I will advocate for the hiring of more custodians and skilled trades employees to effectively maintain our new buildings as well as to make improvements to our inadequate buildings.

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

From my experience as a high school administrator, I have directly experienced that cell phone use is a distraction to learning, productivity and safety. Cell phones should be turned off and used only before, and after school and during lunch. Students can ONLY use cellphones in classes when teachers approve their use for instructional purposes. The cell phone policy should explain why there is a cell phone policy, expectations of all students for cell phone use, and consequences of not following the cell phone policy.

Read previous 2023 Worcester School Committee candidate profiles:

• Jermaine Johnson, District F
• Jermoh Kamara, District C
• Sue Mailman, At-Large
• Tracy Novick, At-Large
• Laura Clancey, At-Large
• Molly McCullough, District A