Only 1 of 13 Education Appointments From Central Mass.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Derek McLean, GoLocalWorcester Reporter

Governor Deval Patrick announced the two newest members of the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education, both of them are from the Boston. Central Massachusetts only has one seat on the 13 member board.

With the additions of David Barron of Cambridge and Fernando Reimers of Belmont, 11 of the 13 members reside in the Boston area.

Paul Reville of Worcester is the lone representative from Central Massachusetts. Western Massachusetts also only has one representative as well, being Henry Thomas III from Springfield. Former board member Mary-Elizabeth Beach is also from Springfield, but she stepped down last June and was replaced by Barron.

“It’s not possible on such a small board to have every region represented,” said Reville. “We’re trying on the board to create the best environment of Higher Education, despite where they live.”

In 2010, Central and Western Massachusetts counties including Worcester, Franklin, Hampshire, Hampden, and Berkshire made up nearly one quarter of the state’s population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Worcester and Hampden County have one representative on the board each. Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampshire Counties have none. Meanwhile, representatives from Middlesex and Essex make up over half of the board with seven members combined.

But despite little representation, many feel that Central Massachusetts still has plenty of tout in the state’s education decision making. Reville, serves as the Secretary of Education for the Massachusetts Executive Office. Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone said Reville “is a strong voice for statewide education and has an up close and personal knowledge of educational issues in Worcester and Central Mass.”

Some local education advocates like, School Committee Member, Tracy Novick, said having Lt. Governor Tim Murray advice on the board appointments is a good thing for Central Massachusetts. “We feel it is in good hands in terms of the mix of people we have there. We have seen a good degree of influence from Tim Murray,” said Tracy Novick. “My impression is that it is a conversation the Governor and Lieutenant Governor have had.”

Because many of the state boards are located in Boston, Reville said “naturally you are going to see more people on state boards from that region.”

Reville said when appointing new members to the board, their qualifications are based on their expertise rather than their place of residence. “We really need to focus on thriving every school despite their geography to provide the best possible education,” he said.

Novick said that she thinks it is common that the board is made up of people who live east of Route 128. Novick said she would like to see representatives from areas like Pittsfield and Longmeadow on the board, but, “It does not make much of a difference,” she said.