There is a difference between a high school principal getting the best she can out of the ninth-graders who walked through her doors and a superintendent making sure that the students who get to the ninth grade are accomplished enough to get the best out of their high school education.

At the conclusion of School Superintendent Maureen Binienda’s presentation Wednesday on “The First 100 Days” of her tenure, replete with tables and charts of events and statistics of where we are now and the road ahead, the superintendent began to read from a document, “A Compact for Public Education in Worcester.”

Worcester’s future success is directly related to the quality - and perceived quality - of its system of public education, as well as the belief that if we establish the best urban school system in America, success will be ensured. Quality public education stimulates economic opportunity, grows our tax base, improves the quality of life for all of our citizens, provides a highly educated next generation of Worcester citizens, and fulfills our most important obligation to our children.

WORCESTER - He’s a New Hampshire guy who came to national prominence as chief of staff in the George H.W. Bush White House and then as the co-host of CNN’s "Crossfire." But former New Hampshire Gov. John H. Sununu came south to Worcester Thursday night to discuss the adage “all politics is local” and found it to be a challenge.

WORCESTER - Worcester’s front and back door could use a new paint job, maybe even a new frame, according to a research report published by a Worcester nonprofit.

Somewhere between the extremes of the city of Worcester owning and operating all of its on- and off-street parking assets for the purpose of economic development and a full privatization of those assets which would maximize profitability, lies the city’s solution for Worcester in optimizing public assets. The Worcester Regional Research Bureau, in its recent study of Worcester parking assets chose the former, by adding yet another layer of government by recommending a politically-chosen Parking Commission and parking czar. This is the wrong recommendation.

A report released in June by the Worcester Regional Research Bureau urged the city to create a master-plan to revamp public parking.

Contrary to popular public belief, there appears to be sufficient parking in downtown Worcester to meet its needs.

WORCESTER – The School Department plans to raise funds of up to $100,000 to develop a strategic plan for the district.

Downtown Worcester is at a tipping point, where the city needs to be less concerned about incentivizing businesses, residents and visitors to the area and more concerned about providing a positive experience for those going downtown, said Timothy Murry, president and CEO of the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce.