Parents look to School Committee for answers on principal’s leave
Nearly a month on leave, Goodrich parents still asking why
It’s always clear what item at a government meeting had themost public interest — just count the number of audience seats that open up after the discussion.
And on Monday night, the seats vacated after the School Committee heard from parents wanting answers after the January decision to place Goodrich principal Alexis Curry on paid leave.
Nearly a month after placing Curry on leave, school officials weren’t any more willing to share details about why the much-beloved school administrator is being kept off the job — and away fromher students.
While only two parents spoke during the public comment section of the meeting, many others attended and were certainly ready to speak if necessary. While a police officer had to approach during one parent’s forceful comments, the meeting was able to proceed peacefully.
Curry, the principal of Goodrich Academy, a public elementary school with specialized instruction, was placed on paid temporary administrative leave on Jan. 12 and, at the time, said she hadn’t even been told why.
In the discussion that happened during the public comments period, many were disappointed that the committee members weren’t allowed to respond.
A current Goodrich parent, who identified himself as Ron, said that has had multiple children succeed with the help of Curry at Goodrich and said the action by the school district has already affected one of his children in tangible ways.
“I have another daughter who just graduated. She’s 18 years old. She wanted to be a school teacher. She also got the superintendent award,” the parent said at the school committee meeting. “Now because you guys have pulledms. Curry from that school, this child no longer wants to be a school teacher for Goodrich Academy.”
Continuing, he said he still has two children at Goodrich Academy now.
“Allmy kids [are or were] students with Ms. Curry. Now you guys put somebody else in her place. Why?” Ron said.
Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia confirmed that nothing has changed in the situation with Alexis Curry and that the Committee doesn’t have the authority to make those decisions about personnel.
“We’re being told that Ms. Curry’s being pulled out for some, sir. So I do apologize … the School Committee does not have jurisdiction overmatters of hiring or firing,” said Squailia. “She hasn’t been fired.”
School Committee member James Walsh chimed in as well to further clarify the rule.
“Just so you know, public
comments, both at the School Committee and at City Council, is just that, it’s public comment,” said Walsh. “Can you state what you wanna say? Correct … there’s no discussion at all during public comment. There’s no questions asked. No questions answered. And that’s how it has always been.”
Fitchburg School Superintendent Jonathan Thompson, who was hired in November after first serving as interim superintendent, also commented and reaffirmed the school district’s position.
“I understand your frustration. Currently, like the communication I’ve put out said, we are currently in an investigation stage,” Thompson said. “I cannot comment on what’s going on right now, because I don’t have any information. The investigations’ going on.”
Ron responded immediately.
“It’s been almost a month and you’re telling me there’s still no information about it,” the same Goodrich parent said. “This is a public meeting, correct?
I’m asking for public information that needs to be addressed.”
A police officer at the meeting eventually walked up to the podium to tell him that he can contact the Committee the next day — and told him to sit down. The Committee members and parent eventually agreed someone would speak with the parent afterwards in order to provide information on who is investigating the matter.
Another parent had spoke up earlier in the meeting in order to bring up an issue about the effectiveness of bullying mediation at regular education schools in the city.
“I understand you don’t want people’s names thrown out there but I did wanna address the way that bullying is handled for children with disabilities,” said Amanda Green.
She explained that her children’s bullying problems were dealt with in a way that just created more bullying.
“And that is the biggest reason why Fitchburg Public had failed my older two and why they ended up with Mrs. Curry at Goodrich Academy,” said Green. “I just think that there needs to be a new approach to it.”