The School Committee’s recent meeting addressing citizens’ concerns left me with more questions than answers.
1. Willie Wickman said she never received reports confirming investigations about the issues leading to the citizens’ petition to vote on censuring her committee. The issues prompting the investigations have been in our three newspapers since February. How is it possible to read the papers, hear discussion before the warrant article for a special education audit, and not be aware of town sentiment?
2. Will Verbits described how parents can unilaterally decide to place their children in private schools and later ask the town for reimbursement, which can lead to expensive litigation. If our schools operate in fear of litigation, a parent need simply choose a preferred school and threaten to sue unless his tuition is reimbursed. Or does that only work if you are on the School Committee?
3. Don’t judge Dr. Jefferson on hearsay; he’s entitled to due process. What about Margaret Grogan? Why did she lose her job on hearsay? Why isn’t she entitled to due process?
4. And what about site-based management—a keystone of education reform? Mrs. Grogan was Charles Horn’s secretary, and he didn’t want her dismissed. Why/how can Dr. Jefferson unilaterally make such a decision?
5. If the town is obligated to pay Dr. Jefferson to leave, should the School Committee members who opted to extend his contract be personally responsible for the $150,000 they added to the bill?
6. Mrs. Wickman and Stu Sklar explained that the power of School Committees was severely limited with the Ed Reform Act of 1993. With such a limited scope of power, shouldn’t the school committee be able to do a better job of selecting/terminating, particularly having spent at least $25,000 to hire a consultant to assist them?
7. Is the School Committee aware of how Dr. Jefferson treats his staff? I received calls from school employees applauding my petition simply because of their dislike of Jefferson, citing his intimidating tactics and their fears of retaliation. At least one employee called from a pay phone, to assure anonymity.
8. Mr. Verbits gave a summary of special education regulations and pointed out that even if students attend private prep schools, the town is responsible for providing IEP services. As a special educator, I frequently provide services to private school students, but they are required to come to my public school classroom. Why doesn’t Harvard likewise insist prep school students make use of Harvard’s special educators during Harvard’s school day in Harvard’s school buildings?
Margot Holtzman
Bolton Road
