WORCESTER, Mass. - Having worked in the Worcester Public Schools for 46 years, Maureen Binienda is no stranger to the district. She is, however, a stranger to running a campaign for public office.

She said her experience will do talking.

"I've done the work," Binienda said. "I understand what it's like to be a teacher. I was a teacher for 18 years on the ground floor, department head, assistant principal, principal and then superintendent."

Binienda's tenure with the city came to an end last year. She's currently the interim superintendent in Easthampton.

Even with her new title, Binienda said she misses the Worcester Public Schools, and if elected, she will prioritize school safety, academic success and growing community partnerships.

"There just wasn't enough funding and resources available, and we had to reach out to community agencies and they always stepped up and helped us," said Binienda. "So, to continue to use those same agencies, appreciate, and expand that."

Another person who isn't a stranger to the district is Tracy O'Connell Novick, who is seeking reelection once again.

She described the work of the school committee as "amazing" the last two years.

"We're in our second year of in-district transportation," Novick said. "We reformed our rules. We went through our policies. It has actually been really invigorating."

Novick said the district has changed drastically since Dr. Rachel Monárrez has taken over as superintendent and her hope is to continue on the same path.

"All the work we have seen in, it's been about 16 months since she's been working with us, in terms of restructuring the administration, in terms of the supports that I've seen, is working with the community and a new relationship with families," Novick said.

Novick's colleague Laura Clancey is seeking her third term as a school committee member.

When asked why she wanted to run again, she said she loves what she's doing.

"I truly am passionate about education, and I really think I found my passion when I joined the school committee," Clancey said. "It got my juices flowing and I just love it."

Clancey chairs the standing committee on governance and employee issues, saying it has kept her and her colleagues busy.

"We're looking at safety issues, we did a lot of updating for our policies, which has been huge," said Clancey. "And that's one of the main focuses of the school committee, is to update policies."

Rounding out the field is Sue Coghlin Mailman, who is looking for her second term. She said the city needs to address the condition of school buildings.

"The list of building repairs, and the maintenance, and the list of new buildings needed is just long and never ending," said Mailman. "We've got to have more of a system."

Mailman said two-year terms are simply too short and wants to continue going to work for the district.

"Our strategic plan is going to have a lot of focus on community and families, and I think that is something I bring to the table from an outside perspective," Mailman said.