Earls Tenders Resignation From SMHS

Melissa Earls has submitted her resignation from Southbridge Middle/High School effective June 30^th, according to The Worcester Telegram.

Mrs. Earls said she has been hired as head of schools for Academy Hill School in Springfield, a pre-kindergarten to Grade 8 independent school for gifted and talented students. Its enrollment is approximately 107 students. Mrs. Earls said the head of schools there is leaving for a post at a similar but larger school in Virginia. "This place came after me. I didn’t send an application out," said Mrs. Earls, whose daughter, Emma, will graduate from Academy Hill School this year. 

Is Moriarty’s Decision Fair To Southbridge?

Ken O’Brien 

Council Chair Shaun Moriarty has announced his decision to resign from the Southbridge Town Council effective January 9, 2016.

However, he has already resigned his position as Council Chairman. That resignation was effective as of December 15.

His reasoning is that this will spare the town the need to hold a special election prior to the regular election to be held the last Tuesday in June.

The question is, “Is this really fair to the voters of Southbridge?” 

Moriarty's "Goodbye" Message

From Shaun Moriarty's Facebook page:

Priorities.

There are few things that better show your character than what you prioritize in life.

I was raised to uphold a basic tenet that has served me well in life: Make no promise that you cannot or will not keep. In my campaigns for a seat on this Town Council, I didn’t do much in the way of your standard political campaign promises. I did, however, promise two things to the citizenry of Southbridge: 

Moriarty To Resign From Town Council

Brian Lee tweets: Southbridge‬ council chairman Shaun Moriarty announced he is resigning from the nine-member panel, effective Jan. 9







UPDATE

Southbridge Council Chairman Shaun Moriarty to resign By Brian Lee

SOUTHBRIDGE -Town Council Chairman Shaun M. Moriarty announced Monday that he's resigning, effective Jan. 9.

The teacher at Pathfinder Regional Vocational High School in Palmer and former Southbridge Evening News scribe cited his increasing commitments.

Abrahamson Announces Resignation - Video

Abrahamson Announces His Resignation From School Committee

Ken O’Brien

Saying that the public should be able to choose a third person to serve on the School Committee in the next town election, School Committee member Brent Abrahamson announced that he would resign from the committee tomorrow.

His remarks came during the Members Forum segment of the meeting.

Six MASSDOT Board Members Agree To Resign

By Matt Murphy State House News Service

John Jenkins

All six members of the Massachusetts Department of Transportation board whose resignations were sought by Gov. Charlie Baker have agreed to step down, paving the way for Baker to remake the leadership team in charge of the embattled MBTA.

Almost a week after Baker and Transportation Secretary Stephanie Pollack requested the resignations of the board members, all of whom were appointed by the governor's predecessor Deval Patrick, the officials on Tuesday complied either verbally or in writing. Pollack is the only person who will remain on the board.

"The Governor is grateful for all of the members' service to the Commonwealth, is thankful for their recommendations and looks forward to assembling a new team of transportation experts to assist MassDOT," Baker spokesman Tim Buckley said.

Breaking News: Christopher Olivo Chosen To Fill School Committee Vacancy

Ken O’Brien

Christopher Olivo has been chosen to fill a vacancy on The Southbridge School Committee. The opening was created with the resignation of former School Committee Chairman Patricia Woodruff. The selection was made during a joint meeting of the Southbridge Town Council and the School Committee as mandated by the Town Charter.

Mr. Olivo stated he had been a resident of Southbridge since 2006. He is an active duty member of the Massachusetts National Guard with experience in overseas deployment and is a native of Texas. 

Chairman Resigns from Southbridge School Committee

Ken O’Brien

In an action that surprised most observers, School Committee Chairman Patricia Woodruff announced her resignation from the School Committee during tonight’s meeting.

Reading from a prepared statement during the Chairwoman’s Announcement segment of the meeting, she said; “It appears to me the politics of the school committee have overtaken the true mission of this committee.  There seems to be a prevailing opinion of the current majority of the school committee that this would be cured by my absence.  While I do not share this opinion, I feel it is only fair to our children, who should be the true focus of our actions, to allow the majority to have their way.  I therefore resign from the committee to be effective at the conclusion of this meeting. I hope that this gesture will encourage the remaining members to focus on what is important, the youth of our community.” 

General Petraeus Resigns as CIA Chief: Cites Extra-Marital Affair

Ken O'Brien

Andrea Mitchell of NBC News reports that General David Petraeus today resigned as director of the CIA after admitting an extra-marital affair.

The former general had been one of the most respected figures in the military and intelligence establishment, but has stepped down to deal with the 'personal and professional issues' surrounding his relationship with a woman who is not his wife.

He had been sworn in as head of the CIA in September 2011.

Departing Assistant Principal Severely Criticized SMHS Principal

Ken O’Brien

Sharon Goulet

Monday’s Southbridge Evening News carried an article titled, “School officials address fights, resignation”.

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.