WORCESTER – As the Worcester municipal election is nearly upon us, the Worcester Guardian reached out to candidates in contested races. Asking each a set of questions, the Guardian publishes these responses through voting day (Nov. 7).
Dianna Biancheria is running for Worcester District C school committee.
The following are Biancheria’s responses to the Guardian’s questionnaire:
What inspired you to run (again) and what makes you the right person for the job?
I have had the honor of serving six terms as a citywide school committee member. I would be honored to continue giving back and representing the constituents in District C. I am a lifetime resident of our great city and lived my lifetime in District C. My heart is in our District C. With a career in finance of 24 years, I managed bank offices in our District C, I held a city committee appointment of the park commission representing District C, ensuring our parks improvements were funded and completed. During my tenure as chief aid in the mayor’s office, I worked with all our schools coordinating all constituent issues. As a school committee member, I worked to make our schools safe, working with parents, teachers and others in our community to make safety a top priority. Our funding for all schools is growing and the budget is impressive. I intend to continue to be a watchdog to ensure all of our students have opportunities and our staff have the right tools necessary for success.
What are, or should be, the top priorities at this time for the school committee?
My top priorities: maintain safety and security in all our schools; follow through on the school safety audit conducted by an independent contractor; work with neighborhood organizations that are closely affiliated with the district schools; be a fiscal watchdog for the school department budget; and advocate for our students to excel in career readiness, advanced placements in various academic pathways to ensure their future.
Where do you think the school committee has been failing, or coming up short?
We need to support our students and staff to ensure high-quality learning experiences are available to all. This includes career readiness with additional pathways, implementing a middle school to high school entrance. We can build on neighborhood suggestions and update plans so all opportunities are recognized. We need to continue to be concerned with fiscal responsibility and ask questions of the administration.
How would you describe the Worcester Public Schools to an out-of-towner?
When someone from out of town is asking about our schools there are so many wonderful things to speak of. Our public schools are the city’s most important public resource. Some of our buildings may be older, but the brick and mortar that make those walls hold tight and proud is because the ideas inside are precious. We have opportunities, we have success stories, awards won and championships won.
Who was your favorite teacher, and what made this person so inspiring to you?
Growing up in our District C, I attended North High School. There was a teacher that I had in my freshman year named Dr. Deirdre Loughlin, and she made an amazing impression on me. Our science class was a learning experience in so many areas. She taught us to develop our senses so we could relate science to everything. Her skill of effortlessly teaching us that everything is relative to science directly or indirectly affected all in the class. I am proud to say we have remained in touch to this day. We spoke many times in my years working in finance, which included as community outreach coordinator for our city, and then especially in my years as an employee in the WPS to career coordinator. As I decided on my political aspirations, we spoke of how an idea of one person can build into a team idea, a community idea and it then becomes a commitment that builds on my commitment to get it done!
What’s the best piece of advice a relative (mom, dad, grandparent, etc.) ever gave you?
The best advice came from the most influential people in my life, which were my parents, Ellen and Anteo. They taught us to be available, not only for the good times to share in the laughs and happiness, but to be there in the tough times when the hard decisions need to be made and following through is not always easy. To work hard and enjoy when you can and remember to give back, because that’s part of your reward in life—the chance to be part of something and join in.
What are you currently reading?
I am reading the WPS school budget book! There are six schools in District C and I look forward to all the activities and opportunities each has in the coming year. Each site is unique and each site has different concerns for funding. When time is available, I am reading “The Power of Moments” by Chip Heath and Dan Heath, how one moment can change your life and how to build positive ideas from that experience.
What would you tell the 15-year-old you?
The 15-year-old me would remind me to take the chance, join the club, do not watch the world turn on its axis from afar—make it spin . Life moves fast, so make a few plans but keep that plan book open to always maintain a level head and you are responsible.
Charlene Arsenault can be contacted at carsenault@theworcesterguardian.org
