Schools
Worcester Schools 'Divided Along Racial Lines': Official
Worcester School Committee member Dante Comparetto said the body is "morally corrupt" and represents a "racist community."
WORCESTER, MA — On the heels of the controversial contract renewal for Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Maureen Binienda, School Committee member Dante Comparetto announced he will not run for re-election after calling the body "morally corrupt" and representing "a very racist community." Comparetto made the comments in a lengthy Facebook post Friday, a day after Binienda had her contract renewed for three years at a salary of $215,000.
Binienda and Worcester Public Schools have been the center of debate for activists and politicians in the area. Opponents argue that Binienda has not been effective in handling equity disparity issues and have pointed to punishment disparities in students of color versus white students, as well as overall education outcomes.
"It is a slap in the face to communities of color for the Mayor and the Worcester School Committee to respond with a huge raise and the maximum extension of 3 years to the Superintendents contract," Comparetto said in his post. "As a man of ethics and principles, I cannot remain a part of a body that is morally corrupt, a committee representing a very racist community. It is for all of these reasons that I am not seeking re-election. I call on all of my colleagues to do the same. We need new leadership that reflects and represents the beautiful diversity of our community."
Comparetto was one of two School Committee members to vote against the contract renewal.
He said the institutionalized racism was evident in the room the night of the contract vote. "We had the white teachers union taking up the whole gallery while the Teamsters were keeping communities of color out of the room and attempting to intimidate School Committee members into supporting the superintendent," he said.
Comparetto added that the issues of communities of color have been disregarded and the Superintendent has "yet to apologize for her insensitive remarks and acts." He plans to fulfill the remainder of his term.
Read the full statement:
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