The Middletown Press (Middletown, CT)
Officials back probe of top schools leadership
City HR director urges investigation of harassment complaints
MIDDLETOWN — A report this week by the city’s human resources director urges the Board of Education to launch an independent probe into alleged “inappropriate workplace treatment and conduct of harassment, bullying, and intimidation by senior management.”
The city’s top leaders also issued a statement early Tuesday in support of the school board’s decision to place the school chief on a leave of absence amid an investigation into allegations of harassment against unnamed administrators.
The request for the leave of absence by Superintendent of Schools Michael T. Conner came three days after the mayor and Common Council called for an investigation into allegations by 15 unspecified persons “regarding conduct at the Middletown Board of Education” after unions representing school employees asked for city assistance in dealing with allegations of “harassment, intimidation and retaliation.”
Attempts to reach Conner for comment have been unsuccessful.
Jackson wrote in her memo to school board Chairwoman Deborah Cain that she recommended Conner be placed on leave after a “preliminary factfinding” investigation.
“My office considers issues of this nature in the workplace a serious matter,” Jackson wrote, noting she met with the school employees on more than 30 occasions.
The purpose of a probe, Jacskson wrote, is to “reduce further occurrences of such conduct continuing in the workplace...”
Measures could involve assigning current staff to serve in acting capacity and / or hiring outside resources until an investigation has been completed, Jackson said.
During the public comment portion of a council meeting last Thursday, a joint statement was read from USPEU Local 6457, AFSCME Local 466, the Middletown Federation of Teachers, AFT Local 1381, and the Middletown Federation of Paraeducators, Local 3161. These represent more than 1,000 district employees.
The statement, read by USPEU Local 6457 President Ann Gregg, expressed that “numerous past and present members have come to us with serious concerns about repeated harassment, intimidation and retaliation by members of Central Office senior management.”
Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities Freedom of Information Officer Charles Perry declined Tuesday to confirm whether the agency had received complaints related to the case, citing a “possibly pending investigation.”
Officers of all four unions issued a statement Tuesday afternoon.
“An independent investigation that will reveal the truth demands integrity,” it said, in part. “The fact that the BOE has yet to approach our coalition to further discuss the issues raised gives further rise to the appearance of a flawed investigation.”
Middletown Common Councilwoman Megan Carta, who is also an attorney, said the statements alleging harassment were addressed to the unions, council, school board and Jackson. “The authors were never named,” Carta said Monday.
All of the employees have left the district to pursue other jobs in order to escape the alleged harassment they faced, according to their statements, the councilwoman said.
After an executive, or closed, session held during a special, virtual Board of Education meeting Monday night, Cain was named as liaison for addressing the personnel complaint and any other complaints related to the superintendent, according to a motion made at the meeting. She also was authorized to make decisions and coordinate the activities of, as well as act as the spokesperson for, the board.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the Board is not authorizing Deborah Cain to finalize any changes to the terms and conditions of the Superintendent’s contract or execute any such revised written agreement. Any such changes would need to be approved by the Board of Education,” the motion said.
Jackson wrote that she determined that the employees felt they had no other recourse than to file grievances.
“We are glad to see the Board of Education taking this step towards a full and impartial investigation, which we hope will begin promptly, and support Dr. Conner’s decision to take a leave of absence as Superintendent while the investigation proceeds,” Mayor Benjamin D. Florsheim said Tuesday in a letter signed by Council Majority Leader Eugene P. Nocera and Minority Leader Philip J. Pessina.
“This is a difficult time for Middletown Public Schools and for the whole Middletown community,” Florsheim said. “An investigation that reveals all the facts and brings forth the truth will allow us to continue moving our district forward — ensuring that every student receives a great education, and every employee feels safe and supported at work.”