AG Rules Southbridge School Committee Did Not Violate Meeting Law

Susan Spencer Teleggram & Gazette Staff

The Southbridge School Committee did not violate the state's Open Meeting Law when it voted to appoint an interim superintendent and a recording secretary in July, the attorney general's office ruled last week.

But Assistant Attorney General Hanne Rush wrote in her letter of Dec. 22 to the School Committee's lawyer, Kimberly Rozak, that because commitee Chairman Scott S. Lazo knew the identity of the sole candidate for each of the two positions, he should have posted their names on the meeting agendas.

The Pivot?

Ken O’Brien

The School Committee has appointed John M. Flick of Gardner to investigate allegations made against Southbridge Superintendent of Schools Patricia Gardner. He is mandated to present his findings to the Committee by December 3^rd.

While indicating a concession to public opinion, the action is essentially meaningless.

First and foremost is why the Superintendent was not put on paid administrative leave as has been the practice in the past. Certainly the charges preferred against her would seem to warrant such an action. According to the presentation made by Committee Member Raymond Page the Superintendent threatened not merely to “get” the complainant. She also attempted to compel the individual to sign a document implicating a former school official in acts of misconduct and threatening to destroy documents relating to last year’s MCAS. In addition, she supposedly made reference to the medical condition of an employee, indicating that, had she been aware of the condition, they would not have been hired. 

Second or Third Best Practices

Ken O’Brien

Bent Abrahamson

At the last meeting of the Southbridge School Committee on May 13, Southbridge School Committee candidate Brent Abrahamson praised the current administration.

He waxed poetic about the wonders of the Principal Search Committee. The extent to which the public’s input was sought and heeded was, one had to be convinced, a marvel of inclusiveness and populist democracy.

And the constant critics and naysayers, he was quick to remind all, were nowhere to be seen.

Pop Quiz - Which School Committee Member Is Peter Imitating?

Woodruff Speaks Out

Ken O’Brien

Former Southbridge School Committee member and Chairman Patricia Woodruff has spoken out about her resignation to reporter Brian Lee of The Worcester Telegram.

In the article titled, Southbridge School Committee chairwoman quits, Ms. Woodruff expands upon the statement she made at Tuesday night’s meeting.