The candidates for mayor of Boston may not debate a more controversial topic than education.
On Wednesday, the Boston Teachers Union hosted a forum for the 12 candidates. It was heated, and discussion lingered over the issue of charter schools. But there are a number of other issues teachers and parents want to talk about.
It was in part a conversation about education, but it was still politics.
"When I'm mayor I will renegotiate contracts with the teachers union and we'll do it together…”
That’s Rob Consalvo…
“We'll work together and we'll get a negotiation that's in the best interest of the Boston Public Schools and the teachers union because that's that whole point of collective bargaining."
Consalvo received the warmest welcome from the audience, which was mainly full of teachers and union officials. But there was earnest discussion about the challenges facing the school system. Like this, from Felix Arroyo.
"Third shift workers who are working their second, third job, you're going to have a real difficult time getting them to parent teacher meetings because they're working to provide for their family."
And there were parents in the audience. Kenny Jervis, a 43-year-old father from Southie, said he and his wife send their two children to the Roger Clapp Innovation School. Their daughter’s in 5th grade, their son in 2nd.
“My kids luckily are very happy to learn, excel very well in school. Could use some extra challenging. Could use some advance programs and a little tougher curriculum,” he said.
Jervis attended the mayoral forum last night to hear the candidates show what they know about the Boston Public Schools. He was interested to hear about extracurricular activities and school choice, but instead he heard division.
“It hasn’t reached the necessary discussion on real, true education policy. It’s more the dynamic of charter versus public, testing versus non-testing. I haven’t really seen the discussion of what will affect kids on the playground and at the school desk.”
And Jervis was particularly nervous about the brief but enthusiastic attention given to extended days at school.
“I can’t see sending my kids to a school day longer than anyone would be willing to work in a work day,” he said.
But topics like that were covered briefly, as they are in every evening debate with 12 different candidates. Afterward, Teachers Union president Richard Stutman said he was happy the debate was largely optimistic and without much sparring between candidates. He believes charter schools should be a major discussion on the campaign trail.
“Charter schools are not the end all and be all and they want the next mayor and superintendent to use their bully pulpit to make sure our public schools which educate all are supported. I think the applause was clear that they want something that levels the playing field and is fair for all kids.”
Nearly all of the candidates for mayor are either Boston Public School graduates or parents. Some are both. Former Massachusetts Education Commissioner David Driscoll says the focus of conversation should be on closing achievement gaps.
“The mayor issue - and I know candidates are talking about this and they should -is to get students young. And I think early childhood education is key. We’re seeing a drop off at our third grade reading tests for the first time in a long time.”
Driscoll says testing methods are an ongoing conversation, too, but one that’s largely governed at the STATE level.
It’s not the end of mayoral candidate forums on this subject. Others are scheduled at Boston University’s School of Education and at UMass.
