Clancey To Run At-Large For Worcester Schools, Setting Up 3-Way Race

WORCESTER, MA — Worcester School Committee member Laura Clancey on Monday announced her intention to run for an at-large seat on the committee in 2023, setting up a three-way race between incumbents for two at-large seats.

In a campaign announcement, Clancey said she's running again in 2023 for a chance to continue working with newly hired Superintendent Rachel Monárrez, and to continue working on issues like providing social-emotional support for students and increasing the quality of schools overall.

"She understands the stressors that WPS students, teachers, staff, and families face, and would like to continue to advocate for them as an at-large member of the Worcester School Committee," the news release said.

Over the last two years, Worcester has created a district representation system for the school committee following a 2021 lawsuit led by the Worcester NAACP and Worcester Interfaith. The suit charged that the city'a all at-large election scheme for the school committee led to a board dominated by white members.

For the first time ever in 2023, voters will select two at-large school committee members and six district members — similar to how city councilors are chosen.

Late in 2022, incumbents Sue Mailman (first elected in 2021) and Tracy Novick (most recently elected in 2017) announced they would also seek at-large seats. It's also possible more candidates will step forward to run for the two at-large seats.

Clancey's reelection announcement puts a cap on school committee incumbents in 2023. Every other incumbent has announced plans to run, including:

• Jermaine Johnson, first elected in 2021, running for the District F seat covering Worcester's west side
• Jermoh Kamara, first elected in 2021, will run for the District C seat covering parts of the east side, including Grafton Hill
• Molly McCullough, first elected in 2015, will run for the District A seat covering north Worcester, including Burncoat and Indian Lake

That still leaves three district seats open for newcomers to fill: District D covering parts of downtown, Vernon Hill and Main South; District B covering parts of downtown and the neighborhoods around Green Hill Park; and District E covering the entire southern part of the city west of Route 146. See a full map here.

There's a long way to go before all the 2023 candidates known. Candidates can start picking up filing papers on April 4, with those due back to the city clerk on May 30.