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| Sharon Goulet |
In it they addressed the resignation of assistant
principal Sharon Goulet. The article reported the circumstances surrounding her
departure as follows:
School
officials dispute the anonymous claim of a recently submitted Southbridge
Evening News “Sound Off” entry ….
Regarding
Goulet’s departure, Perreault said the Sound Off claim is true, but had nothing
to do with the discipline issues.
“She got a big job offer in another district,” the principal said. “People don’t always leave for bad reasons. We’re happy for her; I wish we could have kept her here.”
She
said she’d have Goulet call, but that did not happen before deadline.
Ely
described the change as “a really good move” for Goulet, although “it hurts our
team-building.” Perreault said she believes the other staff members will be
able to bridge the gap until a new person gets adequately trained to take her
place, possibly by tapping Frank Koumanelis or Brian Davis for some assistance.
The remaining principals (Perreault, Greg Leach and Doug Daponde) were planning
to interview three people Thursday, but she said before then she didn’t expect
the newcomer to start this week.
Goulet
had been waiting to hear from that district, Ludlow, and had applied for the
same job here — Special Education Director (now being called Pupil Personnel
Services Director here). She had expected to be interviewed here Oct. 3, but
the meeting got postponed and she “couldn’t wait” until the new date to give
Ludlow her response, Perreault said.
“It
hurts her to go, but it’s what’s best for her and her family,” Perreault said,
noting the Ludlow job pays notably more than her current one. “It’s a huge loss
for Southbridge. Her skill set is bigger than an assistant principal.”
 |
| Tammy Perreault |
Based upon a letter in the possession of The O’Zone,
Ms. Goulet did, indeed, notify Ms. Woodruff as well as the rest of the school
committee and the superintendent of her reasoning.
While there can be no doubt that the position in
Ludlow offered substantial advantages, the letter also indicates substantial
dissatisfaction with the administration at the new Southbridge Middle/High
School. In particular, Ms. Goulet singled out principal Tammy Perreault for a scathing
critique in the second page of her letter.
According to an article
in today’s Worcester Telegram Southbridge Schools Superintendent Eric Ely has
retained an attorney to investigate Goulet’s allegations.
The article quotes Southbridge School Committee
Chairman Patricia Woodruff as noting, “We are confident that by referring the
matter to an independent investigator, we will obtain an unbiased opinion about
the allegation,” she said. “The School Committee emphasizes that these are
allegations only, and that it has no evidence to support them at this time. The
administrator continues to perform the duties of the position, and we ask
everyone to reserve judgment until further information is obtained in this
matter.”
Obviously someone on the school committee had to have leaked this letter to the press. Once again, not thinking of the taxpayers they represent. I see lawsuits coming...
ReplyDeleteI Agree on the leak statement. If you're in the national news and the story category won't go away until the next fire is lit to change the conversation. Gee who would benefit from that?
DeleteThe good news is, despite the old tactics at play here (the same tactics the community has witnessed from a select few for what feels like decades), the tides are changing, F - I - N - A - L - L - Y !!!! It's actually a pleasure to watch School Committee Meetings again; the changed dynamic is fantastic. My kids attend SMHS and they love Ms. Perreault. Thus far, I have been impressed by my interactions with her. And finally, despite the potential implications to the tax payers, if these allegations are proven to be false, I hope that Ms. Perreault takes legal action - maybe then, this nonsense will finally cease. Those responsible for releasing this letter pose extreme reputational risk to this community and they set a poor example for our children. Out with the old. In with the new. Let's keep the positive momentum going.
DeleteWow. I don't know Ms. Goulet, but what a well-written letter. While her allegations scare and concern me, I hope that the Bishop/Lazo team is not congratulating themselves on a "win". Had she worked under the Bishop administration, I'm sure she would have had quite the letter to write about that as well!
ReplyDeleteKudos to Supt. Ely and the School Committee to turning the investigation over to an unbiased outside attorney.
When will people in the Town of Southbridge stop thinking in terms of political "factions" and start thinking in terms of the kids. The School Committee is in place to help the district make important and well-prescribed decisions for OUR KIDS. Every person on that committee is well-educated and has children of their own, some currently in the system. I believe that each one of those educated parents on that committee has the best interest of this town and our kids at heart. It's time to put personal opinions and past history where it belongs . . . in the past. This is a new year, a new committee and new issues. These issues at the new school are no joke. If these things are in fact happening around OUR KIDS all day, I have a very big problem with that. As a parent, I have heard some rather disturbing things myself from other parents, as well as employees of that building. And, from what I've heard, I believe we are doing absolutely the right thing having this matter investigated by an outside source. I, for one, think it's difficult enough for the teachers at the high school to ensure our kids are receiving an education that will make them competitive in a very high-tech world while they're working under the microscope of the state. Add to that a potentially corrupt administrator who may be destroying the morale of her staff, and I don't feel very confident that our kids are getting the educational environment they need and deserve. We need to look into this quickly and deeply, and the school committee needs to do it together and leave their personal feeling for each other out of it. It's about the kids!
ReplyDeleteThe letter was presented to several individuals and being public employees no expectation of privacy should have been expected. Transparency should be expected by all Southbridge residents because it is about the kids. Southbridge get over the petty arguments about certain people and look t the big picture. The allegations made are serious and are deserving of investigationn. Southbridge, do you ever want to be a leader in the Commonwealth? Strive for the best!
DeleteWhere was all your concern when the arbitration report was released?
DeleteWe should all thank our lucky stars that we have you here to tell us what the public has a right to know.
DeleteI bet Woodruff was totally sincere when she told the paper that she would have Goulet contact them.
Why wasn't it a personnel matter when the arbitration matter referred to Jacobson's medical condition? Why weren't the disparaging remarks about Bishop a personnel matter?
If there is bias here you are from immune.
I think the principal is AWFUL and not qualified to lead SMHS. My interactions with her have been her beng passive agressive in emails. She doesn't care about bullie in the school and if someone threatens to punch another kid her answer is "so". Not to mention that recently there were about 7 fights in the school in one day. She simply needs to go!
ReplyDeleteNo Brent its about the true facts from what i see
ReplyDeleteDear (?)
ReplyDeleteThe salutation is incomplete...to whom was this “Exit Letter” addressed?
Where have we seen this win at all costs, annihilate your opponent regardless of any negative consequences to the town or the schools mentality before? I do believe I saw it on Fox News, ABC News, NBC News, NECN, etc. this week. Can it be leaking this letter was more about deflecting attention from one story to another? What -or rather WHO would be the common link? Welcome to CLUE-Southbridge. Was it Mr. Ely, Mrs. Woodruff, Mrs. Donovan, Dr. O'Leary, Ms. Prencipe, Mrs. McLoughlin, Dr. Dominko or Mr. Lazo? This one isn't even hard to figure out.
ReplyDeleteThere MAY in fact be some legitimacy to what Ms. Goulet asserts in her letter but that is to be determined by an investigation. Ms. Goulet was here a very short time - is anyone certain those words really are her own? If such a letter had been written about Mr. Montigny, Mr. Labb or Mrs. Shaw the media never would have seen it.
This is personal. This is political. And it is disgusting.
In speaking to my hgh school son about this he states..."there is more drama with the adults than the students"....After this week, it probably is true. What kind of example are our administrators and certain school committee members setting?
ReplyDeleteAll I have to say is was the letter marked confidential and if it was, Brent is right if it isnt its open game Brent, I guess what goes around comes around. So stop saying shes been crucified before shes proven guilty. Some members of the school committee have had it done to them. Whats up Mary ellen?
ReplyDeleteLike a broken clock Brent is correct twice a day. At this particular time he is correct in saying we should wait for the results of the investigation. The rest of his political rhetoric is just an Obamination, useless, nasty, self serving and finger pointing at everyone but himself. He is entitled to his opinion but not his perception by the public.
ReplyDeletePlease let me give you an example of what the kids have to deal with on a regular basis. Exact quote from Ms. Perreault on Friday, 10/26/12. A small group of students walked up to her and asked, " Can we talk to you about homecoming and the dance?" Ms. Perreault puts up her hand and replies,"I am not going to talk to kids today!" REALLY? She is truely a fraud. More examples will follow.
ReplyDeletewere you there? identify yourself if you are going to "quote" someone!
DeleteThis letter needed to be "leaked". Even if her certification is valid please believe that Ms. Perreault is not a leader and is not capable of being successful in this position. Mrs. Goulet was a breath of fresh air and will be missed by both students and teachers. Please take her letter seriously. All of her observations are true!
ReplyDeleteI don't know who the anonymous writers are but I'd like to thank them for coming forward. No one who works in that building every day will identify themselves Brent.
DeleteBrent is beating you with your OWN stick!! LOve the Anonymous...I can picture you now...Keep going, pretty soon you will be in the DOO-DOO you created. You are making a nice bed for yourself...
DeleteMr. Abrahamson has the liberty of being outspoken now that he has retired and is living off his union negotiated pension.
ReplyDeleteThose of us still in the system don't have that liberty.
Just how outspoken was he when he was in our shoes?
Signed Anonymous because I have to be.
ANONYMOUS,You choose to be. Sound mighty resentful too.
DeleteYou have been “outed” Brent.
ReplyDeleteYou are nothing more than a “sunshine patriot”.
You pontificate, dodge and deflect.
You can’t, or won’t, answer the questions about why you attack this letter as being a personnel matter but didn’t do the same when the arbitration report came out.
You won’t answer about whether you were such a champion of “victims” when you were still grubbing for your pension.
Answer the questions and stop criticizing those of us who need to remain anonymous for fear of the consequences you pious hypocrite.
First the union and now O’Brien.
DeleteSpeak for yourself. You have been asked legitimate questions and now you want to throw others under the bus rather than answering.
So much for your credibility.
like a broken clock Brent is wrong most of time. He was right when he said "The letter was presented to several individuals and being public employees no expectation of privacy should have been expected.
ReplyDeleteReally? When it comes to evaluation of personnel, they most certainly do."
However, he is horribly wrong when now asking for union and personnel to speak out in the public and not follow their own internal processes. When this all goes to court those officials that spoke out will be in court for doing so. If it is a personnel issue than officials and staff should not be discussing this in the court of public opinion. When the investigation is completed and the results are made public that would be the appropriate time to opine in the court of public opinion. Until then Brent shut your pie pole you are not doing anyone any good fanning the flames of yet another educational PR disaster.
Brent:
ReplyDeleteTeachers and concerned parents are intelligent people.
They know how long you have been bashing Bishop and Lazo.
But you won't answer why the arbitration report should not have redacted comments that were personnel issues.
You can't show when you spoke out while you were still a teacher.
Now people who can't sign their names because they are likely to be the victims of retaliation are discounted because they remain anonymous.
You wanted the union and Ken to vouch for you. That's not their job.
You are a bag of hot air with one objective - destroy Bishop and Lazo whatever it costs.
Just shut up and go away.
I don't see too many anonymous posts that support you or the principal Brent.
ReplyDeleteThats because the most people who would agree with Brent are not into these forums. Dont let the silence fool you.
DeleteThis is not grade school dodge ball.
ReplyDeleteYou have been asked direct questions and you have refused to answer them.
Man up or man out.
Now we see this big time liberal doing the Romney thing - just don't answer the question.
ReplyDeleteBrent is one of those who found religion when it didn't cost anything.
ReplyDeleteAnd you are so damn brave when it costs you nothing.
ReplyDeleteWhere are your answers? You are free to criticize others who have everything to lose when you have nothing to lose.
When did you speak out when it could have cost you? Let's see the proof.
COWARDS? You lead the pack.
B. A.
ReplyDeleteAt this point you are a joke.
You won’t answer questions.
You claim that an independent investigation by an Ely and a school committee (run by Prencipe through her puppet Woodruff) chosen “independent investigator” will give us the truth.
You want to call other people trolls. Look under the bridge. You will find yourself.
Enough already. I am also a teacher at SMHS and I recognize one of these people talking but not the other. I will invoke your same gutless "I can't say who I am" B.S. we are part of a union and a such, you damn well know that we won't be fired for speaking the truth. But that's not what you're doing. You know that the group of you cavort together both in school and out of it. You know that your love of BB and hatred for TP is what's driving this. A disgruntled, but good AP leaves, someone who was/is part of your clique, and you blame BA for your B.S.? Here's what I'm going to do: send everything I have to the media. I've been documenting what you've been saying, and I'm happy to name names. Why? Because you're gutless, perpetuating a smear campaign. Brent is right: if she's proven wrong, fire her. But if not, you should be fired. And you KNOW what I'm talking about!
ReplyDeleteAh, Finally a sound mind!Thanks for posting even though you are anonymous too
DeleteHopefully some good will come from all this crap being spewed. Some good people are being persecuted for no reason other than being human. What bullies there are in Southbridge at the Adult level. Shame on everyone involved for this senseless witch hunt. Not one of you Bullies thinking of the kids. Shame on you!
DeleteMy name is Stephanie DeMartino and I live at 92 Harrington Street in Southbridge. Just in case you want to come and visit!
I am also a teacher at SMHS and what I think should happen is this: Both Mr. Ely and Ms Perreault should be suspended until the investigation is complete. The State should appoint an interim superintendent, principal, and the investigating body. This will ensure that the investigation is both fair and fast. If any part of the accusation is found to be legitimate then the suspensions should be permanent and a process should be put in place to hire a new superintendent and principal.
ReplyDeleteNot only do the seriousness of these allegations require this, but the quality of education we provide to our students demand it.
A parent who absolutely agrees with you.
DeleteBased on my limited experience working with state officials I'd say it's very unlikely the state would get involved. The state does not like to get involved at the local level. Unless there is a clear indication that Ely/Perreault have done something wrong it would be premature to impose any kind of penalty on either of them.
DeleteAn independent investigation has been kicked off and we should wait for the results rather than trading gossip. Patti Woodruff is no pushover and I am confident the investigation will uncover the facts. My only advise would be to conduct the investigation as openly as possible to limit the kind of back stabbing we read here.
Being suspended (with pay) is not a punishment. It is, however, a way to protect the students, staff, and the community from hazardous decisions that may be made by either the superintendent or the principal because of the pressure and stress caused by the allegations. A suspension would also serve to cool things down a bit and to ensure an impartial investigation.
DeleteGood point but who would run things in their absence? Suspending both people leaves a vacuum at the top that I don't think we're prepared to fill.
DeleteThats a lot of faith to be putting in someone who was only here for such a short period of time. Why do you believe someone you didn't even get a chance to really know before they left over the supt. and the math director/ turned new principal? Perhaps Sharon Goulet should take up dentistry because she just didn't fit in!
ReplyDeleteSharon Goulet was qualified unlike "Tammy". This is apparent as Mrs. Goulet's qualifications has provided her the ability to move on to a better position. If the investigation proves our actress isn't qualified and she was promoted for other reasons, them both should be replaced.
DeleteThe letter reeked of agenda!A piece of paper does not always mean the author is smarter.There is so much personal agenda on the part of these ANONYMOUS BLOGGERS- it is pathetic! I cant even believe credibility is given to them.The allegations may be true, but the way they were presented leaves many people like myself wondering about the validity and the motive.I guess these are two seperate issues.- The emotional stock some anonymous people have invested -and the truth. Two different issues that are being blended into one. The truth will be harder to see if bloggers continue to bash instead of look for truth.
DeleteAs a parent of two students in the SHMS, this whole incident makes me SICK! I met Mrs. Goulet during a visit/ tour of the new school. She shared her credentials and I believe that everthing she has outlined in her letter is absolutely true! My child attends the new high school and even she can see through Ms. Perrault as she pIrouettes across the stage seeking attention. She continously tells staff "she has bigger fish to fry", she doesnt allow school traditions to continue, cannot be bothered with the needs of the Arts, she expects staff to grovel to her and is disconnected to the day to day ongoings. I was not a fan of Bill Bishop and was open to give the new leader a chance, but from what I understand, she is not qualified to do the job! I hope that her credentials are invetigated and if she is not qualified, move her along. Kudos to Mrs. Goulet for speaking out so the rest of the staff and students dont have to put up her reign of terror!
ReplyDeleteThank you to the parents above who seem to understand the horrible situation the teachers and students have been placed in. As a teacher at the new middle high school, I worked like a dog (for free I might add) over the summer to pack up my old classroom and set up my new classroom with high hopes of a productive school year. I am heartbroken with what has transpired. The school committee needs to do the right thing and fire Mr. Ely!
ReplyDeleteMS. Perrault may indeed not be right for the job.She may just be differnt- Attacking her ethics and morals was the wrong way for ms. Goulet to go. The tone of her letter was more personal than "helpful" as she proposed it would be. Her intentions were well noted among those who can read between the lines. Seperate from what the truth may be.That will remain to be seen.Apparently MS. Perrault comes across as overconfident, but has anyone tried to bring this up to her diectly or are people just enjoying seeing someone crumble? Harper Valley PTA style?
DeleteI also work at SMHS, and a lot of what is asserted in Ms. Goulet's letter is true. Should she have gone after her character and ethics, no but those are a direct result of her inability to run a middle and high school. Simple things like knowing how to talk to people most importantly your employees, everyday on goings like why do we have to cc her on just about every email and then complain when she gets too many.
DeleteHonestly, they way she presents herself to staff just about everyone is afraid to say anything to her because no one knows what to expect. Very few teachers and staff respect her because they can see through the facade, she only looks the part.
There have been many decisions that just don't make sense, like hiring her, and honestly she isn't to blame, she didn't hire herself. She burnt a lot of bridges last year with many teachers and staff, why do you think three of our Math teachers left us? I know it's hard to believe if you aren't in the everyday mix at the school, but it is what it is.
I like the idea of having her and Ely step aside while an investigation takes place to preserve integrity. Confidence comes out only if you know what your talking about, I think you meant she comes off as aloof, very disconnected.
Something needs to be done for our students, they do not deserve any of this. Unfortunately not a lot of people have faith in her or respect her so I don't see it getting better. I am posting as anonymous because I like to keep my job but people need to know.
I for one am glad that brent has shut up, I had him for a teacher and he was awful he should have been fired! How they let that tub of lard teach I will never figure it out He was such a self centered blow hard and know it all. I dont want to sound mean but lets call a spade a spade here!! Ken now hes taken his ball and gone home because your not filtering for him I say kudos to you Ken he needs to hear this he's not that almighty were he can sit and dictate his views and we are suppose to accept what he says. Thanks Ken for being fair
ReplyDeleteThis "blog" is a mess. I know, you'll come back with a comment that its yours and you can run it your way, which you can. However, you should know since you can't see it for yourself that people are laughing at it. You don't accept all opinions, but you allow fake "former students" to lodge insults regarding someone's looks. You sure wont post comments about yourself that way. For a person that others have told me is book smart you're not very street smart. This is not a forum. It's a cluster of crap. If you think this garbage is productive I'd sure love to hear your explanation. Your site is the National Enquirer of Southbridge. Few facts, innuendo, and school yard name calling. Since everyone else signs anonymously, so will I, but I'm not coming back. It's childish.
DeleteI agree with Anonymous 12:53PM. This site has done more damage to the town of Southbridge's reputation than any person, group, or political faction could ever do.
ReplyDeletegood ridens
ReplyDeleteIt's riddance, not ridens. Ironic when talking about education. You guys/gals want to dunk the people like in Salem: if they don't drown, they're witches, if they do drown, they're not! The same bassackward hillbilly way of doing things in the town: ready, fire, aim! The state doesn't give a shit about Southbridge and it's school. The investigation, whether it comes up clean or not, will have naysayers on both sides,so why not cut to the chase and start your conspiracy theories now?
ReplyDeleteClearly an unhappy committee member or members have leaked this information-how old are they? This is not in the best interest of our town or our children.I think that when the people or person resonible are found they should be terminated from thier positions . I am sorry for both the principal and vice principal. after this, who would want to take a job in this town? seriously
ReplyDeleteFrom what I understand about how things work, the letter was brought up at a public meeting. It became part of the public record even though the text of the letter was not discussed. And, anyone can have a copy of anything that has been broached at a public meeting. This situation is completely different than the Jacobson matter. The Jacobson settlement had a negotiated (by the arbitrator) non-disclosure proviso because of medical information contained with-in. Therefore, the release of the "exit" letter was well with in the spirit of the law.
ReplyDeleteI AGREE 110% With Brent!! This is nothing more than a witch hunt for the removal of Bishop!! Open your eyes!!
ReplyDelete