“We have a very uneven school system,” he said. “If we want help from these world class institutions, we have to provide them with a world class environment in which to work.”
The challengers took the opportunity to tout their experience and pledge change.
“Parents need to know that no matter what school their child attends they’re going to be learning the same skills,” said challenger Marc McGovern.
Candidates also discussed the recent appointment of Superintendent Thomas Fowler-Finn—widely regarded as an experienced superintendent and Cambridge’s best hope for its ailing schools.
But committee member Richard Harding Jr. said the committee would still have to monitor Fowler-Finn.
“There does need to be leadership on the school committee,” he said. “Don’t believe that one person, however talented he may be, can move us forward.”
—Staff writer Claire A. Pasternack can be reached at cpastern@fas.harvard.edu.