Concord Education Association President Michael Macri urged school board members to “take a deeper look” into allegations made by staff members against a school administrator.
During the public comment period on board agenda items, Macri said some staff members are “afraid” and “feel they haven’t been represented.” Board president Jim Richards cautioned Macri about discussing the matter during the public comment session of Monday’s board meeting, but Macri continued without naming the administrator.
“When we have situations in our schools, we look at bullying, harassment, we don’t look at the 10 kids in class who like the harasser, we look at the three kids who’ve been bullied,” Macri said. “That’s the story that needs to be told.”
Superintendent Kathleen Murphy said Wednesday that the matter is not related to student safety, and involves a “staff concern with administration.” She said an investigation, which was conducted by a third-party, is now complete, and the administrator continues to be employed by the district.
At the end of Monday’s School Board meeting board members disagreed over whether to accept a slate of nominations of school administrators, which included building principals and assistant principals. Board member Kate West had made a motion to table the nominations, but the move was voted down 6-3, and the slate was ultimately approved 6-2. Board members Bob Cotton, Gina Cannon, David Parker, Jim Richards, Pamela Walsh and Jonathan Weinberg voted to approve the slate, while Barb Higgins and Brenda Hastings voted no and West abstained.