School Committee Candidates Meet Voters and Answer Questions in Lively Candidates' Forum at the Beals
School Committee Candidate Alicia Jordan of The Winchendon School replies to the Moderator's question #9, regarding district Diversity, Inclusion, and Equity.
Photo by Keith Kent
Candidate for School Committee Kevin Nelson discusses his feelings about the advantages of Technical Schools, and how he would like to see every student who would like to attend one afforded the opportunity to experience those types of classes as he himself attended and agricultural school when he was younger.
Photo by Keith Kent
School Committee member Greg Vine, who is running unopposed for a new term, discusses that while he hopes there is never a need to go back to masking in public schools, if the science and data ever called for it, he would support it, but only if the data showed a need for it.
Photo by Keith Kentby Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
Three local citizens running for two open School Committee seats participated in a Candidate Forum for Questions and Answers at the Beals Memorial Library on Tuesday, April 26, with over 30 supporters and voters in the audience, as Moderator Inanna Arthen presented a thought-provoking 14-question agenda designed to allow candidates to give proactive, preventative, and data-science driven responses regarding curriculum, the future of public education, and the challenges they will potentially face if elected to the Winchendon Public School District School Committee.
Participating candidates were current School Committee Member Greg Vine, who is running as an incumbent unopposed, and candidates Alicia Jordan and Kevin Nelson who are challengers for the second open seat. That seat is presently held by interim School Committee member Mike Barbaro who was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Committee left by a resigning member and who is running as the incumbent. Mr. Barbaro was unfortunately unavailable for the Forum due to a last minute conflict.
Questions, which had been submitted in writing by voters in advance of the event, ranged from "Please describe responsibilities and expectations of members" and "Your role in curriculum decisions, hiring and discipline" to "How would you improve funding or view potential regionalization playing into plans," to such diverse topics as potentially bringing some vocational technical school courses to Murdock High School, to keep more students "in-house" and keep district dollars closer to home. Other topics posed to candidates ranged from, "Does our district have a problem with diversity, inclusion, and equity" to other issues such as potential masking if COVID-19 numbers were to increase again. Thoughts on district programs for special education students, English Language Learners (ELL), and gifted students, were also solicited from the candidates.
Candidates were asked about the role Committee members play regarding district decisions such handling complaints or discipline related to administration and staff, along with curriculum and standards. Candidate Kevin Nelson replied, "My understanding is directly, none. The Superintendent is responsible for solving any issues in an effective and timely manor. We are not the complaint department. Parents should go through the proper channels. They should reach out to the teacher, then the principal, then the Superintendent. Then if it's still not resolved, then it could be between the school committee and the superintendent as to why it's still not resolved."
Vine explained that Nelson was correct, and that the committee basically did not have a role in disciplining teachers beyond the Superintendent, and also said that while it can be frustrating, that when the committee hires a Superintendent, you hire them trusting the decisions they are going to make, and their last decision in the most recent hiring of Superintendent King was a good one.
Jordan responded that while she understood the duties of the Superintendent, "I would also want to know all of the curriculum and standards, and not to meddle, but to know what is happening in the Winchendon Public School System because if I am ill-informed, how can I be a servant to the community? That is one of the things I would bring to the table as a member and administrative team member at The Winchendon School."
Regarding keeping students at Murdock High School and trying to lose fewer students to Monty Tech, Vine explained, "Under state law, once we enter in as a member school district, they being a vocational technical school, basically have a monopoly, and we can not offer the same courses that they do on those types of programs, and at the same time, they are able to expand upon the same kinds of advanced placement programs that we are able to offer, so yes, it's tough to compete with what the Mayor of Fall River has basically referred to as state-funded Prep Schools." Vine also pointed out that many students who would do well at vocational technical schools are not accepted due to the levels of admission standards.
Nelson replied, "My thought about it is, if you have a student who is passionate about a vocation and they could get into a school like Monty Tech and have all those resources available to them, don't stand in their way. If a student has a chance to do something in which they want to immerse themself and they are passionate about to better themself, I wouldn't want to see anything stand in their way."
Jordan followed with, "I think potentially building apprenticeships or internships with organizations in town, even if it has to take place out of the academic day until you could figure out how it would actually function and work, I think it's worth exploring."
When candidates were asked how they would deal with personal preferences and biases when engaging in committee decision making processes, answers began to become unique. Nelson responded, "It's how we define these terms. If it's a bias, it should be set aside. If it's a preference or a strong opinion, we should try to find common ground. to reach a suitable compromise to reach a result most beneficial for the entire district. If it's a full blown conviction, an issue of conscience, I would stand for those convictions, even if I were standing alone."
Jordan answered, "It's educating and understanding what implicit bias is because if you don't understand what that is, you are never going to make informed decisions. For me it's reading and evaluating where my blind spots are, as I am a person who comes from a place of privilege." Jordan also spoke of not dismissing people or intellectualizing them because of their potential backgrounds.
Vine acknowledged that to understand biases, you have to understand that you do have them, and must understand the differences between them and convictions. Vine also stated that one has to be able to admit sometimes that they are wrong, and that comes with maturity. Vine also added, "Don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good!"
The moderator posed the question, does the school district have a problem with with diversity, inclusion, and equity? What should be done to improve it? Nelson said, "We should be pushing for diversity of thought and learning opportunities." Nelson then read a portion of a letter he recently sent the the district Director of Curriculum asking for clarification on the district's new Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Taskforce. Nelson said he felt the three words were being used a lot, and he felt people needed to start asking questions, such as what was it that we are exactly looking for?
Jordan replied, "I feel communities which are predominently white, could always live with a "DEI" and that I fully supported their initiatives, and these communities have been missing that initiative far to long. I think schools should look at how to bring and recruit a more diverse population to the teaching faculty." Jordan spoke of needing to feel "included and feeling being seen" by educators.
Vine added, "Frankly I wish this issue didn't have to be as complicated as it sometimes appears to be. Vine spoke of the need to teach and show basic respect to those of different sexual identity, preference, skin color, religion, and more. "We have to understand that we all live in a world where everybody is different from us, we may all share the same skin color, but you are all different from me." Vine also said, "I think it's unfortunate we have to have these programs in schools, but I think that's because all too often it's not taking place at home." Vine said he awaits the DEI Taskforce report, and hopes it finds a way to bring the community together with support.
When addressing the topic of CRT or Critical Race Theory, Jordan stated that she felt from an education standpoint, it was a crucial need to meet education requirements of an educated public and society.
Nelson replied, "I think the problem with CRT is it's just that, it's just theory, and we need to get back to teaching our kids facts. The fact is the United States had slavery, and the two first pillars or race theory are indisputable. Racism is wrong, and the United States started on a foundation of having slavery. As did many countries from all over the world, it's not just white people owning slaves from Africa. Slavery has been around since the Hebrews were slaves to the Egyptians in the Bible." Nelson added that teaching should be based on facts and certainties, not theories and opinions.
Greg Vine then said, "CRT in my feelings has become a buzz word for something that it isn't. CRT was developed in the 1970s, and is mainly taught at college graduate level courses. We don't have CRT in Winchendon classes, or many other school districts across the Commonwealth. We need to address the good with the bad when we examine our own history. There is nothing wrong with teaching our children that many of the founding documents in our country were written from a basis of racism. All men were created equal is a great phrase, but few of our founding fathers actually lived by that phrase. Our children deserve to know that our Constitution originally looked at Blacks as 3/5's of a person, not a whole person."
As the COVID-19 pandemic had a documented profoundly negative effect on public education and student mental health, candidates were asked about their stance on potentially having public schools masking up again to keep the doors open. Vine said he would look at the data from the public health statistics, and guidance from both the U.S. C.D.C., and DESE. "If it looked serious enough, I would not shy away from requiring masks again. I have grandchildren in the district, and I felt that not supporting the then mask mandate, and also encouraging vaccines, would have been irresponsible. I would make my decision on what we get from statistics, and public health officials. Not Facebook and Twitter posts, but if I felt we had to based on the data, yes, then I would support it again."
Nelson followed with, "If something new comes along like we have a reemergence of small pox, then it's a conversation. COVID, no. As the saying goes, fool me once, shame on you, fool me twice, shame on me." Nelson said the divide in where people are getting their information from doesn't mean they are just getting them from Facebook posts. Nelson also said he felt COVID-19 was similar to the H1N1 influenza virus, and much like the seasonal human flu.
Jordan replied, "If a situation came up based on reputable science, along with the C.D.C, W.H.O., and Mass Department of Education, I would then actually support it. I would want to ensure the students, faculties, and families, are at the forefront, as some people are more susceptible than others and I think we need to take everyone into consideration."
After all moderator questions had been fielded by candidates, questions from the audience were taken. Questions for potential candidates ran the gamut, from protections for the LGBTQ community, to equality and protections for Toy Town minorities against both in-person and cyber bullying, often resulting in traumatizing depression for both younger children and teenagers alike. Statistics and statements were offered to candidates by members of the audience, including Molly Velasco, the Community Coordinator for DEIJ and Impact Learning for The Winchendon School, in defense of those targeted groups. Responses from the candidates also ran the gamut, ranging from we need to provide more educational opportunities to our students to prevent these kinds of acts in the future, to we are all equal, and shouldn't have to teach these kinds of things at all and it should start in the home, prompting a strong response from some in the audience.
The entire forum, with audience questions, ran for more then two hours. After it concluded audience members and candidates alike continued their discussions for some minutes as the library staff broke down the room setup. The forum was live-cast on the Beals Memorial Library's YouTube channel. There were some reported problems with the broadcast audio having a repeat or echo that made it difficult to understand. Some audience members live-cast portions of the Forum to Facebook Live with their cell phones.
The School Committee Candidates Forum recording can be viewed in its 2 hour, 6 minute entirety on the Beals Memorial Library Youtube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wppPGghWGhY
Winchendon CAC Hires Miranda Jennings as Interim Director
Settling in for the next chapter!
Interim WCAC Director Miranda Jennings poses with her son and CAC volunteer staff in front of the building where a few loving hands help many reaching out for assistance. Left to right: Volunteers Deb Gariepy, Ann-Marie Hatch, Melinda Bowler, and Miranda Jennings posing with her 5 year old son William. Back row, with his grandmother Deb Gariepy, is volunteer Andrew Holden.
Photo by Keith Kent
by Keith Kent, Winchendon Courier Correspondent
The Winchendon Community Action Committee (WCAC), pending the retirement of Director Jennifer Sibley as of the end of this month, has hired Miranda Jennings, HEAL Winchendon Program Manager, as Interim Director. Jennings brings solid professional assessment experience and multi-cultural knowledge to a position where the ability to understand and assist different levels of diversity is a key asset in assisting clients during unprecedented times and unique challenges.
Beginning her first official day as WCAC Director on Tuesday, April 26, Jennings' career spans not just numerous states and fields of expertise, but other countries and diverse ethnicities, allowing Jennings a greater understanding of potential clients' needs and or concerns, and an understanding that every person and their situation is unique and there is no "one size fits all" solution. Jennings wants current and potential WCAC clients to know, "Don't be embarrassed to ask for help or assistance, poverty doesn't discriminate, and many things happen in life we can't predict that are not our fault."
When asked about the timeline, Jennings explained with a smile, "Jen Sibley approached me about four weeks ago and told me she was going to be retiring, and asked me if I would consider being the new Interim Director at the WCAC, and honestly I was honored that she even asked me. We have worked very close together since I moved to Winchendon and previously worked at the Winchendon School, and I would always bring volunteers down. So when she asked me I got choked up, and said of course I would, it would be an honor to continue the work you have done here. The board obviously had to approve it, but now here we are and here I am."
Working to help better the lives of others is no novelty to Jennings. Immediately after high school, Jennings worked with with AmeriCorps in Boston through a program called "City Year," working with inner-city youth. After graduating from college, Jennings moved to Central America, and gained valuable multicultural experience living and working there for a full decade, working for a non-profit called "Bridges to Community." With goals in community development and cross cultural exchange, Jennings worked as its Country Director, hosting about 800 volunteers a year. As Jennings explained, "From building houses, schools, and water systems, to even financing such as micro-lending and scholarships, and then things such as venturing in to youth leadership programs, prompted the desire in me to want to come home, and now bring that experience with me to do that very same work here in the United States."
Back in United States, Jennings brought her international and multicultural experience to The Winchendon School, a college preparatory school with students from around the world, where she began the next chapter in her professional career in the position of Dean of Community, Leadership, and Service. Designing a leadership program which became an academic track, Jennings also directed the school "Service Learning Program" to engage students in the community, which allowed Jennings to meet and work with many different Toy Town organizations, such as the WCAC. Jennings left her position at The Winchendon School to become the Program Director at HEAL ("Hope, Empower, Access, Live") Winchendon, before taking her new position as Interim Director at the Winchendon CAC.
Asked why she would like the people of Winchendon to know why the WCAC is more important than ever before in its mission to better serve its clients, Jennings immediately referenced data on her laptop computer. "These statistics were very shocking to me. We know 12.3 percent of residents in Winchendon have an income below the poverty line compared 10.5 percent of residents in Massachusetts. Nearly 19 percent of children in town under the age of 18 are living below the line, and 40 percent of children ages 5 and under are now living under the poverty line in Winchendon."
Poverty Disparities by Race statistics told an even more troubling story. The Poverty rate for White-Non Hispanic persons in Winchendon is 12.8 percent, while Black / African Americans register at 79.3 percent, Hispanic/Latinx at 80 percent, and Multiple Race groups are 59.8 percent. The poverty disparity by race, documented in Winchendon by factual data, can not be disputed.
"We need more than basic help for these families, we need pathways for possibilities and empowerment, and that is what I really love about the CAC. I want people to come in here, and under the legacy that Jennifer Sibley has created, I want people to continue to feel really respected, treated with the utmost kindness, have their immediate needs met so they can get back on their feet, and then have them on a pathway so they can get on a pathway that they can help design to help them get their best future, no matter if that is helping them get a job, housing, or learning a new skill. I don't want this place to be seen as just a food pantry, but to be seen as community center," Jennings elaborated.
Jennings also explained that as Winchendon is now becoming a more culturally diverse community, the CAC will explore what other kinds of foods can be offered. "I am also really looking forward to being able to work with all the institutions and agencies in town that I have gotten to know and work with over time between my previous positions."
At this point during the conversation, Jennings' son, 5 year old William Wilder Jennings, peeked around the corner of his mother's office door and said, "Mommy, look what I've got!" while holding up a drink and a snack with big smile, prompting warm laughter. A family unit, settling in, in a center designed to help families.
"I want to emphasize this again," Jennings concluded. "Poverty doesn't discriminate. We have many systems that are broken in our country, and we need to look at many root causes. Don't be afraid to come in and ask if you can receive help, and don't be embarrassed. This is what this agency is here for, and we are here to help."
The Winchendon CAC is located at 273 Central Street, next to CVS. Its hours of operation are Tuesday and Wednesdays 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Thursdays 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Fridays 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. The CAC is closed on Mondays and weekends. It can be reached by phone at 978-297-1667. For the food pantry and shelf, and the clothing room, please call to make an appointment. You can find the Winchendon CAC online at www.winchendoncaccom.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/winchendoncac and email the Director at director@winchendoncaccom.com.
BOS Sign Proclamation for Children's Mental Health Week to be Observed May 1-7
by Inanna Arthen
At their meeting on Monday, April 25, the Board of Selectmen unanimously approved and signed a proclamation naming the week of May 1 through May 7, 2022 to be Children's Mental Health Awareness Week. Winchendon resident Renee Eldridge appeared to present the proclamation request.
In 2021, a ceremony was held outside Town Hall which culminated in the exterior lights around the building being turned on to shine green to symbolize awareness of Children's Mental Health. This year, it was not possible to organize a ceremony, but Town Manager Justin Sultzbach confirmed that the Town Hall outside lights will be changed to green for the week.
Town residents are invited to display green lights outside of their homes to help raise awareness of Children's Mental Health.
For more information about Children's Mental Health Week, see the ppal.net/childrens-mental-health-week/ on the Parent/Professional Advocacy League website.
Commonwealth COVID Average Positivity Going Up, Winchendon/Gardner/Athol Numbers Still Low
As of the Thursday, April 28, Massachusetts Department of Public Health update, Winchendon registered a COVID-19 testing positivity average of 3.54 percent, up a half percent since last week's report. In the last four weeks, Winchendon has slowly increased from a very low 1.23 percent on April 7, to 2.74 percent on April 14, to 3.01 percent on April 21, and the current level of 3.54 percent.
The two largest population centers close to Winchendon, Gardner and Athol, both tested slightly up but are still low. Gardner with 21,000 residents has increased from 3.19 to 3.34 percent, and Athol with 11,500 residents has increased from 2.02 to 3.07 percent.
Other local municipalities increasing were Ashburnham moving from 3.99 to 4.67 percent, Ashby from 7.04 to 7.26 percent, and Templeton moving up from 4.02 to 4.57 percent. Decreasing slightly in our region were Phillipston dropping from 4.17 to 1.39 percent, a large drop, Royalston dropping 3.85 to 2.82 percent, and Hubbardston going down from 4.39 to 3.57 percent.
While the Commonwealth of Massachusetts 14 day positivity testing average increased from 3.72 to 4.39 percent, the ten-town area surrounding Winchendon reduced slightly from 4.00 to 3.88 percent positivity.
The North Quabbin Region continues to see regional clusters with higher numbers, as Warwick just several towns to Winchendon's west registers at 8.33 percent, Erving yields 6.90 percent, Petersham tests at 8.06 percent, and Northfield shows 6.67 percent. To the east, Fitchburg and Leominster with a combined population of nearly 90,000 people test at 3.17 and 3.70 percent respectively.
Overall, Massachusetts now registers 5,356,389 of its 6.9 million residents as fully vaccinated, with the newest report showing 7,000 Bay State residents obtaining full vaccination status in just the last 7 days. Massachusetts now registers 89 percent of its residents with at least 1 dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, versus the nationwide average of 77 percent, and 56 percent of its residents with at least 1 booster shot versus 46 percent of residents nationwide.
The Town of Winchendon Board of Health recommends becoming vaccinated if healthy enough to do so, especially if you have pre-existing conditions or are immunocompromised.
Keith Kent
Chair
Board of Health
Town of Winchendon
Montachusett Public Health Network Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic
at the Clark Memorial YMCA on April 29, 2022 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m.
The Montachusett Public Health Network is hosting a Covid-19 Vaccination Clinic at the Clark Memorial YMCA, 155 Central Street, Winchendon, on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. Registration encouraged but walk-ins welcome!
Vaccines available: Pfizer, Moderna and J&J
Doses: All doses available
Ages: 5+
To register, call the Montachusett Public Health Network COVID-19 Response Team at 978-602-2356, Monday-Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Pleaase bring vaccine card and health insurance card if you have them.
$25 grocery gift cards available on a first come, first serve basis (eligibility criteria apply).
