As an educator, community organizer and frequent participant in civic service, I know how incredible our teachers, students and families are. But Cambridge has a clear socioeconomic and racial divide, and the achievement gap is still a persistent issue.

The state chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, through its political action committee, has endorsed Kathleen M. Kelly in her reelection bid to the School Committee.

As a student in Cambridge Public Schools, I got to see and experience the differences firsthand, and I am still asking: With all the money spent on their students, why aren’t Cambridge Public Schools producing the best in the state?

Boston city councilor at-large Ayanna Pressley, an Emily’s List Rising Star recipient, has endorsed School Committee candidate Manikka Bowman.

School Committee candidate Jake Crutchfield plans an Oct 24 “Conversation on Education” where residents can deliberate over issues including equity, inclusiveness and the role of testing in education.

When Manikka Bowman, candidate for School Committee, thinks about Cambridge public schools, she thinks about potential – the potential brimming out of each student and the potential of the school system itself. And she thinks about how to turn into reality.

Manikka Bowman launches her campaign for School Committee from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Rev. Thomas J. Williams Park in North Cambridge.

There are 24 candidates for City Council and 11 candidates for School Committee that can run in November elections, as of a Monday meeting of the Election Commission that certified nomination signatures for candidates.

School Committee member Mervan Osborne has opted not to run for reelection in November, citing job and family priorities: a second child and promotion to head of school at Boston’s Beacon Academy.

Midway through the month when City Council and School Committee candidates can pick up their nomination papers and must file them, election commissioners certified signatures from a dozen council hopefuls and eight potential committee members.