Chairman's Statement On MCAS, Gardner and Magnan

The case by Amy Allen Magnan against the School Committee and former Superintendent Gardner was recently decided in Ms. Magnan's favor. Here is Chairman McLoughlin's statement on that matter.

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. 

Worcester Telegram Reports On Gardner Complaint

Today's Worcester Telegram carries an article titled Southbridge superintendent in hot water over probe of MCAS mistake by Brian Lee.

Superintendent of Schools Patricia Gardner allegedly threatened to "come after" a school employee if that person did not cooperate with the superintendent's desire to assess blame for mistakes made administering the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System tests last year, according to Raymond Page, a School Committee member.

As a consequence, the School Committee unanimously voted this week to authorize hiring an independent investigator to look into the allegation of "a serious account of unprofessional behavior" against the first-year superintendent. 

Complaint Against Southbridge School Superintendent

Southbridge School Committee Meeting, March 11, 2014 (Video)

Ken O’Brien

After a week of waiting, the video file of last week’s School Committee Meeting is finally available on line

Half the meeting is occupied with a discussion of a planned student trip to Spain.

At about the 43 minute mark we get the opportunity to witness Pat Gardner, Director of Teaching and Learning, discussing preparations for this year’s MCAS tests. The taking of these annual evaluation tests began today.