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Breaking News: Director Of Operations For Southbridge School System Resigns

Ken O’Brien

Roland Gaboury, Director of Operations for the Southbridge School District, today resigned from his position.

Also, Everything Southbridge informs The O’Zone via Twitter that School Committee member Dr. Thomas O’Leary has been removed from the Harrington Hospital’s Doctors Listing. 

Southbridge Schools Lose Another Arbitration Case

Ken O’Brien

Following the report by The O’Zone regarding the arbitration decision in the case of Jonathan Jacobson, the results of another case have come to our attention.

On September 29, 2011, Timothy Bornstein, Arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association rendered a decision in AAA Case 11 390 01501 10, A Salary Schedule Grievance between the Southbridge Education Association and the Southbridge Public Schools. 

Ely’s Latest Exit Effort

Ken O’Brien

It  is becoming an increasingly sad soap opera.

Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely has now applied for a position as superintendent of North Canton City Schools in Canton, Ohio.

According to the CantonRep.com, “At least 18 people have applied by the deadline Friday to become the next superintendent of North Canton City Schools, according to the Stark County Educational Service Center.” 

Southbridge Meeting Videos On YouTube

Ken O’Brien

Amelia Peloquin has now begun making town council and school committee meetings available on YouTube.

Thanks to her for expanding her prior efforts and increasing the convenience of access to these public records.

The most recent additions can be accessed at:

Southbridge Town Council Meeting - April 23, 2012

Southbridge School Committee Meeting - April 24, 2012

If At First…; Ely Also Seeking Job in Montana

Ken O’Brien

UPDATE: May 1 - Ely eliminated from finalists in Montana.


There can be little doubt that there is blood in the water in the administration of the Southbridge school system.

At the end of March The O’Zone reported that Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely had applied for a position as school system director in Roane County,Tennessee. 

Poll Results on Southbridge High Principal: A Tossup

Ken O’Brien

After a week of input, 259 votes cast and more vituperative comments than a lifetime of Don Rickles’ and Joan Rivers’ performances combined, the results are in.

And the results are as definitive, and rewarding, as either the Soviet or American experiences in Afghanistan.

With a difference of only 13 votes out of the 259 cast, the opinion that the current SHS principal should stay came out on top by a statistically insignificant 5%.

Is Ely Moving On?

Ken O’Brien

Less than two years after succeeding Dale Hanley as Southbridge School Superintendent, Eric Ely is apparently seeking greener pastures.

According to Knoxnews.com, Mr. Ely is among ten semifinalists for Director of the Roane County school district in Tennessee.