Superintendent of Wayland schools files discrimination complaint
Wayland Public Schools Superintendent Omar Easy filed a racial discrimination complaint against the town, school district and school committee Friday, following a high profile incident of racist graffiti targeting him in December and a pattern of what he calls “severe and persistent harm.”
“On December 21, 2022, I was the victim of a hate crime at work—the words “OMAR = ******* ” were scrawled on public property adjacent to the high school,” Easy wrote in the complaint, referencing a racial epithet.
“This is not the first time explicitly racist behavior has targeted me, Black employees, and Black students in Wayland,” the superintendent continued. “Such behavior has been the apex of a hostile work environment fostered and stoked by the Wayland School Committee—and in particular Chair Chris Ryan and Vice Chair Ellen Grieco.”
Easy, appointed in June 2021 as the district’s first Black superintendent, filed the complaint with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination alleging unlawful racial harassment, retaliation and threats, among other charges.
Easy said he was placed on leave on Feb. 8, after raising concerns about unlawfully discriminatory conduct to the committee. As of Friday, Easy said, he has not been provided with explanation for the leave.
In a statement, the Wayland School Committee said they are “unable to comment on specific allegations” as the legal matter is ongoing and asked the community for patience.
“However, the School Committee wishes to reiterate that the Wayland Public Schools seeks to foster a welcoming, inclusive, anti-racist environment; our actions have and will continue to demonstrate a commitment to those principles,” the statement reads.
The town of Wayland is less than 1% Black, Easy notes in the filing, and all school committee members are white.
The superintendent lists pages of allegations against the committee in the complaint.
In one, Easy alleges the Vice Chair asked hiring consultants to “find additional White candidates after two of the three (superintendent) finalists were Black.” In another, he says members refused to support the termination of an administrator based on racist conduct, requiring Easy to retain outside legal counsel.
Over time, “big scary Black man,” “thug” or similar stereotypes of him were perpetuated, Easy argued, and repeated complaints and investigations that did not result in disciplinary measures damaged his reputation.
Easy also notes prior to his being placed on leave, his performance was rated as “proficient.”
“As a result of Respondents’ discriminatory, retaliatory, and other unlawful actions, I have suffered, and continue to suffer, significant harm, including emotional distress,” Easy concludes.
Following the complaint, the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination will launch a formal investigation and request a response from the parties listed.