Meet the candidate: Mark McCarthy seeks seat as at-large School Committee member
CHICOPEE — Almost exactly a year ago, Mark McCarthy won the approval of sitting School Committee and City Council members for an at-large seat on the committee.
McCarthy, 42, of Chicopee, replaced long-standing committee member Chester "Chet" Szetela, who stepped down last fall due to health reasons. Szetela was in the middle of a four-year term.
The at-large candidate had no prior experience in politics and didn't think he would be chosen for the position.
McCarthy and newcomer Robert Cantin will face off for the only at-large position on the committee.
Ahead of Tuesday, Nov. 4, The Republican reached out to all candidates for the opposed City Council and School Committee seats to answer a short questionnaire.
Each council candidate was asked the same four questions. A different set of four identical questions were sent to the candidates for School Committee.
Over the next several days, The Republican will be publishing the candidates' answers to the questions in print. Find more candidates and responses at masslive.com/topic/election .
Name:Mark McCarthy
Age:42
Address:Chicopee, MA
Profession:Literacy teacher educator, associate professor at Springfield College
Position running for:Chicopee School Committee at-large
Introductory statement:
"As a literacy teacher educator, I teach teachers how to teach kids to read and work with schools to strengthen instruction and support teacher growth. Chicopee has dedicated educators and strong leadership, but we must ensure our schools are funded, staffed, and equipped to meet every learner's needs. I believe in local control and schools that reflect our community's values. My goal is to advance 'equity and excellence for all' through investment in literacy, teacher retention, and safe, inspiring facilities," he said.
Question #1: What letter grade would you give the school system? Why?
I'd give Chicopee a B — we have committed educators, thoughtful leadership, and improving student outcomes. With greater investment in staffing, facilities and family engagement, we can move toward an A. Our teachers work hard with limited resources; it's time for the community to match that dedication through sustainable support and long-term planning.
Question #2: What is the biggest challenge the schools face?
Our biggest challenge is maintaining stability amid uncertainty in funding and policy. Staffing shortages, aging facilities, and increased student needs demand consistent investment and collaboration. We must align vision, morale and resources to retain great teachers and provide every student with an environment that supports both learning and well-being.
Question #3: The school budget is roughly two-thirds of the city budget and there are concerns about federal and state assistance dropping. How should the School Committee address any loss of funding?
We need a transparent community dialogue about priorities and local investment. Chicopee should move above the state's minimum funding level to ensure stability. Responsible planning, careful spending, and pursuit of aligned grants can soften funding shifts — but sustained local commitment is essential to preserve quality teaching and learning.
Question #4: With the MCAS no longer a condition of graduation, what should the diploma requirements be?
Diplomas should reflect consistent learning and authentic achievement, not one test. Students should demonstrate literacy, numeracy, and civic readiness through coursework, projects, and educator-designed assessments. Graduation should represent both academic preparation and community contribution — the full measure of what it means to be ready for life after high school.
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