10 Questions with School Committee Candidate Robert Cohane
Monday, April 20, 2015
Cohane made an unsuccesful bid for school committee in 2011, receiving only 7.5% of the votes.
GoLocal caught up with Robert and had ten questions for him.
What do you think is the most important issue for Worcester's School Committee today?
There are many critical issues, such as the school budget priorities at the district, city and state level, assuringthat all Worcester Public School students receive an superior education that prepares them for professional life, that the School committee needs to address over the next couple of years. However I think they can all start with building confidence within our community that the school committee can lead the Worcester Public School to new academic heights while providing a safe place for all students and staff to learn and work. This needs to be accomplished through proactive and open conversations with all community stakeholders.
Why did you decide to run for school committee?
During the last six years I have worked as a parent advocate, including multiple terms as Co-Chair of the Citywide Parent Planning Advisory Council. Over that time I have come to believe that the current school committee needs to have more parent representation. The school committee has lost connection to an important stakeholder group in the process. We need to re-open the dialogue with parents to regain their trust in the district.
What part of Worcester are you from and what do you remember most about going to school in Worcester?
I am originally from South Worcester and now live in the Indian Lake area. I am a proud product of the Worcester Public Schools. Over the years I have had many phenomenal teachers who had pushed us to learn and become better people. We always had a sense of community that continues to be strong even now. The diversity of thought and ideas as well as culture allowed us all to become better people.
If elected, what is the one thing you hope to accomplish in your first term?
If I am elected, I would make it a priority to encourage all members of our community to engage in the process of improving the Worcester Public Schools. The people and businesses of Worcester care about the success of the Worcester Public Schools and the School Committee should be open and accepting of everyone’s involvement. Communication needs to be a high priority for the district. Whether it is listening in on principal selection, or reaching out to outside resources to advance student academic experiences,or decision about safety in the schools, the school committee should be standing up and defending open two way communication.
What challenges do you anticipate over the course of the campaign?
The campaign season can be grueling, but I am looking forward to engaging all of the candidates in creative conversations about how to improve the Worcester Public Schools. Two years ago, in my first campaign I was lucky enough to meet many great people across our city. These people came from all walks of life and they showed me that Worcester cares about education and wants to see it flourish. I hope to get the opportunity to meet even more Worcesterites this time around and hopefully bring their voice to the School Committee.
What role has Worcester played in your life and what has the city provided you?
Worcester has been my home for many years. It has provided me an education within the WorcesterPublic Schools from Downing Street Elementary School to Sullivan Middle School to South High School and then on to Clark University. When my wife and I decided to start a family, we choose Worcester as our home because we knew that it is a great place to raise a family. I now have two sons who attend Worcester Arts Magnet School. Worcester provides a wonderful urban environment with strong neighborhood connections. The cultural diversity provides so many learning experiences. Worcester also has many great resources like the Eco-taurium, the Worcester Art Museum, the Hanover theater, Historical Museum and all of the universities. It truly is a great city.
What is your opinion of Superintendent Melinda Boone's tenure thus far in Worcester?
Through my time as Co-chair of the Citywide Parent Planning Advisory Council I have been given theopportunity to work with Dr. Boone on several projects. I believe she has a very good vision for the academic direction of the Worcester Public Schools. However, the role of Superintendent does require more than improving the academic standing of the district. I believe that communication with the community should be a key area for improvement. We need to involve all stakeholders early in the process when important decisions need to be made.
What is your take on the situation at North High?
The situation at North High has gotten out of hand. What started with a small group of disruptive teens has infected the entire community. I believe the district should have taken swift action to involve all of the community stakeholders as well as taken swift action to protect all of the students and staff as the overwhelming majority of them are focusing on education.
What are some of your favorite restaurants/hangouts in the city of Worcester?
There are so many great places in Worcester to go, whether for dinner or just to have a good time.Certainly one of my family’s favorite things to do is go to George’s Coney Island for lunch on a Saturday.
If you could give one piece of advice to Worcester kids enrolled in public schools what would it be?
Education is the great equalizer. No matter where you come from or what challenges you have been faced with a good education will level the playing field. Take advantage of every opportunity you are given to learn. As you continue to learn the world will open up to you. Find a piece of that world that matters to you and pursue it with everything you’ve got. And never let anyone tell you that you are not capable of doing it.
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