WORCESTER – After 16 years on the Worcester School Committee, John Monfredo will not seek reelection this fall.
In a statement released on Monday, March 8, Monfredo said he wouldn’t be running again and would instead be “…moving on to the next chapter…” of his life.
Monfredo, a strong advocate for literacy programs and the founder of the annual “City that Reads” book drive, spent 56 years as an educator, including 40 as a teacher and administrator.
“During all of those years there was not a day that I didn’t enjoy what I did and looked forward to working on the many challenges associated with education,” Monfredo said. “As a school committee member coming up with agenda items that would benefit the district, volunteering to assist those in need or making decisions on ways to improve education has been most challenging but also very rewarding.”
Monfredo is the second longest-tenured school committee member after Jack Foley, who has been on the committee for more than 20 years.
Here is Monfredo’s statement in full:
Since I have received numerous telephone calls from people wishing to sign my nomination papers for this coming election I thought that I should clarify my position.
After 56 years as an educator, 40 as a teacher and administrator, and 16 years as a school committee member, I will not be running again for school committee. I will be moving on to the next chapter in my life.
During all of those years there was not a day that I didn’t enjoy what I did and looked forward to working on the many challenges associated with education. As a school committee member coming up with agenda items that would benefit the district, volunteering to assist those in need or making decisions on ways to improve education has been most challenging but also very rewarding.
Reading to children, assisting staff members, giving out free books ( 910,000 in 16 years to schools and organizations) , doing a variety of community service work has been very rewarding.
I loved my job as an educator and as a school committee member and enjoyed working with my colleagues even when we had disagreements on issues. Every decision that I made as a school committee member and as an educator was based on what was in the best interest of the children.
It has been a very rewarding journey and I certainly thank the voters for their support in allowing me to represent them as a school committee member.
I would encourage other retired educators or others to consider running for we need candidates who know what school policy is all about and what works in education. We must advocate and work to find common ground to ensure that we provide the best education possible for ALL of our children and look for needed reforms in the funding system.
