WORCESTER—Candidates for Worcester School Committee in Districts C and E laid out their positions on grading, teacher support, classroom policies and representation during an Oct. 1 debate at Mechanics Hall, the second in a series leading up to November’s election.
The District C race features incumbent Dianna Biancheria, seeking her eighth term overall, against challenger Feanna Jattan-Singh, a realtor and former city council candidate. In District E, incumbent Kathleen Roy faces a rematch with community organizer and activist Nelly Medina.
The debates, co-sponsored by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau and the Telegram & Gazette, alternated questions between candidate pairs, with occasional prompts to all four contenders.
District C: Grading policy, testing and teacher support
Biancheria and Jattan-Singh differed on mastery-based learning, a grading proposal now under review that would allow students to retake assignments, with higher grades counted.
Jattan-Singh said she is unconvinced and would prefer a project-based system she believes encourages deeper learning. Biancheria said she wants more data before supporting the policy.
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On standardized testing, both expressed skepticism. Biancheria said tests should be just one measure of student success, while Jattan-Singh called them biased and said they should not factor into evaluations at all.
Both agreed teachers need stronger support but split on how much pay matters.
“Classrooms can be difficult regardless of what we provide,” Biancheria said. “We need to ensure that we have the tools there. It doesn’t always come down to the dollar amount.”
Jattan-Singh countered that money plays a direct role in teachers’ ability to focus on students: “If somebody can’t afford to work just as a teacher, they have to branch out and have another job… Our students lack because the teachers lack.”
District E: Endorsements, phones and classroom content
The District E matchup was sharper, with Medina repeatedly pointing to Roy’s endorsement by the 1776 Project PAC, a conservative group she accused of backing censorship and segregation. Roy did not address the criticism directly but emphasized her focus on students and families.
On the issue of how schools should handle controversial topics, Medina argued against limiting history lessons. “Our libraries should be stacked with books that talk about where all of us come from,” she said. “We should never shy away from history because otherwise we’re doomed to repeat it.”
Roy agreed history is critical but stressed age-appropriate teaching: “We have to look at controversial subjects and make sure we put it in the context that is age appropriate.”
The candidates were also split on student cell phone use. Medina opposed blanket bans, citing communication and health concerns. Roy said limiting phones improves student socialization but noted exceptions would be necessary.
District system draws mixed reviews
When asked about the 2021 switch to district-based representation, candidates gave varied responses.
Biancheria and Roy both stressed that while they advocate for their districts, their decisions aim to serve all Worcester schools. Medina, who was part of the lawsuit that created the district model, said it has helped ensure communities are represented. Jattan-Singh criticized the current map, arguing the districts look “like gerrymandering” and should better align with council boundaries.
Debate series continues
The debate series continues with city council candidates. At-large candidates debate Oct. 8 at 7 p.m., followed by district council candidates on Oct. 15. The mayoral debate concludes the series Oct. 29. All events take place at Mechanics Hall.
Jason Bleau, a seasoned reporter from Connecticut’s Quiet Corner, has over 11 years of news media experience. He has worked as a news anchor for WINY 1350 AM, contributed to Stonebridge Press publications, and covered racing as a Press Box coordinator at Thompson Speedway. Outside journalism, he is a movie enthusiast, freelance film reviewer, banker, and solo musician. He can be reached at bleau.jason@yahoo.com
