Superintendent Finalists Take Questions, Commit to Equity in Public Forum

The three finalists in the ongoing Cambridge superintendent search pledged to focus on equity in the school system at a public forum on Thursday, explaining their motivations and plans to improve support for teachers and close achievement gaps.

David G. Murphy, the current interim superintendent, is running against Lourenço Garcia, the assistant superintendent of equity and inclusion for Revere Public Schools, and Magaly Sanchez, chief family advancement officer in Boston.

The forum, held at Cambridge Rindge and Latin School and livestreamed, was moderated by Carolyn L. Turk, former CPS deputy superintendent, as well as student representative to the School Committee, Eva S. Asraf, and CRLS senior Roz Patterson. Each candidate had 45 minutes to individually answer a list of questions submitted ahead of the event by parents, teachers, students, and other stakeholders in the district.

During the forum, Murphy stressed the importance of maintaining a “genuine belief in equity,” in order to ensure success for every student.

“The most basic fundamental responsibility that we have is that our educational programming that we are offering students is grounded in equity, such that no matter where the student's coming from or the context in which that student’s learning, they have a chance to succeed,” he said.

Murphy was appointed interim superintendent in July 2024, after the School Committee voted to remove his predecessor, Victoria L. Greer, amid growing controversy over her management style.

As interim superintendent, Murphy presided over several changes in the district, including the closure of a school and the implementation of universal preschool. School Committee members gave Murphy positive end-of-the-year evaluations, praising him as an effective leader.

Cambridge’s search for a permanent superintendent has amassed increasing backlash from the public in recent months, becoming a key issue in the upcoming School Committee elections. In August, the Cambridge Education Association released a statement accusing the School Committee of running a search that lacked transparency and public input.

Thursday’s forum coincided with a CRLS “curriculum night,” when parents can attend their children’s classes and meet their teachers. CRLS teachers were required to work by contract and could not attend the superintendent forum — though the forum was recorded and posted online.

The forum allowed Garcia and Sanchez to directly address families and teachers for the first time. All three finalists received tours of CRLS from student leadership earlier on Thursday.

Garcia, the assistant superintendent for Revere Public, said that his experience living in four countries and proficiency in six languages has allowed him to connect with families of different backgrounds over his 20 career in teaching and district leadership.

“My focus is on equity, equity for families, by engaging them in school activities, by inviting them to school,” he said.

Garcia said that Cambridge needs to “diversify our teaching board” to address achievement gaps in the district.

“There is no other way around. If we don’t diversify, that gap will continue to be there,” he said.

Sanchez, who served as a principal of a high school in Providence and held leadership positions in six school districts across Massachusetts and Rhode Island, said she is passionate about improving curriculum.

In her previous role as ​​Curriculum, Data and Assessment Manager for New Bedford school district she worked to establish a new advanced curriculum for the high school, as well as increased black and brown student enrollment in advanced curriculum.

“My success is our student success, and I think all of our successes include our School Committee members, our teachers, our school leaders,” she said. “I would measure success by our student outcomes.”

More than 40 parents, students, and staff attended the forum in person, including every current member of the School Committee. The members will hold public interviews with the finalists on Tuesday. A vote for the next superintendent will be held on Oct. 6.

— Staff writer Ayaan Ahmad can be reached at ayaan.ahmad@thecrimson.com. Follow him on X @AyaanAhmad2024.

— Staff writer Claire A. Michal can be reached at claire.michal@thecrimson.com.