School Committee Candidates Air Platforms

Candidates for the Cambridge School Committee stressed parental participation and curriculum reform yesterday at the Agassiz School gymnasium for an audience of approximately 30.

Ten of the 11 candidates running for the six-member committee--mostly parents of Cambridge-area students--discussed their platforms in three-minute spans.

In addition to increasing parents' roles in their children's education, candidate Anthony Knopp advocated empowering school principals, improving school facilities and managing the system's $84 million budget more efficiently. He also explained his plan, Technology 2000, to bring personal computers to the classroom.

Jon Maddox also focused on curriculum reform, arguing that excellence in English, math and science is paramount. While teacher and parent Alice L. Turkel emphasized faculty development, incumbent David P. Maher argued that by initiating the recruiting process for teachers earlier, Cambridge schools can attract a much larger applicant pool.

Joseph G. Grassi, also running for his second term, said his agenda included improving safety in the schools.

Susana M. Segat also championed parental involvement, suggesting that teachers inform parents of the expectations placed on their children to facilitate more efficient monitoring of their progress.

Candidate Denise Simmons, seeking her third term, stressed equity in quality among individual schools.

Alfred B. Fantini, also an incumbent, said his work with parents and teachers in the past to develop a new local school curriculum provided him with ideas to improve the curriculum of the entire Cambridge public school system.

Christine Arruda addressed increasing teacher quality, and Robin A. Harris said she would encourage teachers to actively share ideas. Charles L. Stead, a final candidate for a seat on the committee, was not present at the debate.