A few notes from Wednesday's forum

One can hardly pretend to be unbiased on such things, and you can get a holistic (if abbreviated) view of answers in the article by Jackie Reis.
The format was a one minute opening statement for each candidate, and a one minute closing statement for each candidate. In between, 15 questions were asked, each answered by two candidates. The questions (paraphrased from my notes) were as follows:

• Worcester is in the fifth percentile statewide when it comes to municipal contribution over the required contribution to the schools' foundation budget. Please comment. (This to Salmonsen & Biancheria)
• Massachusetts has now adopted the Common Core. Thoughts? (to Colorio & O'Connell)
• The new teacher evaluation system calls for incorporating "student outcomes." What are your thoughts? (to Monfredo & Mullaney)
• What would be your priorities for Worcester Public Schools facilities for the next five years? (to Trobaugh & Novick)
• What technology needs do you see for the Worcester Public Schools over the next five years? (to Foley & Ramirez)
• No Child Left Behind, Race to the Top, Ed Reform II...how do you see the balance of all of these with local control? (to Mullaney & Trobaugh)
• Looking, for example, at 3rd grade ELA and 7th grade math scores, what would you say is the community part in supporting our students? (to O'Connell & Colorio)
• Some parents have expressed concern with disciplinary policies and how they are implemented. Please comment. (to Monfredo & Biancheria)
• Given the great varities of people in Worcester, what is your plan to reach out to constituencies and neighborhoods? (to Novick & Ramirez)
• What affect would you say the changing demographics of the city have had on the policy, culture, and teaching and learning in the Worcester Public Schools? (to Foley & Salmonsen)
• What would you say are the three most pressing issues to the Worcester Public Schools? (to Colorio & Foley)
• What, in the Worcester Public Schools, are you most proud of? (to Biancheria & Ramirez)
• From your own educational experiences, what would you like students to have, and what would you like students to avoid? (to O'Connell & Salmonsen)
• Some parents have been concerned about all students having access to a demanding curriculum, particularly as it pertains to sorting of levels in middle schools. Please comment. (to Monfredo & Novick)
• What balance do you strike between management and School Committee? (to Mullaney & Trobaugh)