Breaking News: Gardner Resigns

Sources tell the O'Zone that Southbridge Superintendent of Schools Patricia Gardner resigned her position on Monday.

Sheryl Stanton, the district’s Assistant Superintendent for Teaching & Learning, has been named to fill the post for the time being.

In a joint statement, the committee and Ms. Gardner cited "philosophical differences on how the School District should move forward" as the reason for ending their working relationship.

Will History Rhyme In Southbridge?

Ken O’Brien

Mark Twain observed, “History doesn't repeat itself, but it does rhyme.”

I propose to put that observation to the test.

Last month an incident is alleged to have occurred at one of the Southbridge schools.

I will not discuss, nor allow speculation about, the nature of the incident in this forum.

The subject matter is too sensitive, the facts too obscure and the threat to personal reputations too severe for casual gossip.

Suffice it to say that the incident in question is undergoing proper review and will be adjudicated appropriately.

What I believe is a worthy topic for discussion is how the alleged incident was handled by the school administration, particularly in light of an analogous event in the recent past.

New Details Emerge About Meeting That Put Ely On Leave

Ken O’Brien

Sources close to the decision to place Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely on paid administrative leave have provided new details regarding the matter to The O’Zone.

Initially the Worcester Telegram and Gazette reported on November 14^th, in an article titled “Southbridge school committee votes to put superintendent on leave”, that, “The decision was made during an emergency meeting held in executive session at the district's administrative building on Cole Avenue, the former high school.” 

A State Takeover Of Southbridge Schools?

Ken O’Brien

In light of recent developments a number of people have suggested that it is time for the Southbridge School District to go into state receivership.

I am not convinced that this is a good idea.

I fear that it may be a hasty, knee-jerk overreaction to unfortunate but correctable personnel decisions as well as the concurrence of those issues with a period of transition and realignment. 

Breaking News: Ely Placed On Leave

Ken O'Brien

The Worcester Telegram is reporting that an emergency meeting of the Southbridge School Committee has voted to place Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely on administrative leave. The action results from an undivulged complaint received by the committee.

School Business Manager Terry Wiggin will assume the duties of temporary acting Superintendent.

The story is available HERE.

Southbridge Superintendent Announces Rumor Control Plan

Ken O’Brien

Southbridge School Superintendent Eric Ely has launched an effort to keep the public informed regarding the truth about rumors relating to the school system. In addition, it is his desire to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions in a concise forum.

He informed The O’Zone as well as Brent Abrahamson of his plan in an email this morning. The email read as follows: