Recent meetings between Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness and the MEA before and after the incident at Glover Elementary School have not led to any resolutions, according to statements made by both parties.
Both parties are standing firm, adding to the friction that began when four educators were placed on paid administrative leave after an incident involving one or more dysregulated students at the school.
In an updated statement, the MEA called McGuinness’ response to the situation “inadequate.”
“It is disturbing that an interim superintendent would prioritize maintaining the incompetent leadership she inherited over supporting the rank-and-file educators she purports to value and hopes to lead,” the statement reads.
Following the MEA’ first statement, made on Dec. 6, the union met with central administration a day later. Afterward, membership subsequently called for a vote of no confidence in Student Services Director Paula Donnelly and Associate Student Services Director Emily Dean, which received 97% approval on Dec. 13.
According to the MEA, meetings have been held with central administration “frequently before and after” the incident at Glover Elementary. More recent meetings with McGuinness have focused on concerns with the “actions and decisions” made by Donnelly and Dean, which the MEA says have led nowhere.
“Our meetings with Interim Superintendent McGuinness thus far have not moved us closer to identifying acceptable solutions,” the statement reads.
In response to the vote of no confidence, McGuinness, in a statement to the MEA, said that she was “disappointed” by the vote.
On Dec. 14, the School Committee announced that it had initiated a third-party investigation of “the student support process” and is “hiring a consultant to evaluate and make recommendations regarding district systems and support services.”
The MEA warned in its statement for the committee to not use the investigation as “an excuse to delay any actions which should be taken immediately to protect staff and student safety.”
In her statement, McGuinness said that she will “prioritize and implement” recommendations that come from the investigation, including ones that involve leadership at the district level. However, she outlined the difference in responsibilities of individual school and district leadership, stating that the building principal is “squarely responsible” for the safety and education of their students.
On Dec. 6, it was announced that Glover School Principal Hope Doran went on medical leave. The length of her leave is not yet known.
“At the district level, the administration works collaboratively to support the building level administration in this pursuit,” McGuinness said in the statement.
McGuinness added that at this time, she does not believe there is reason to remove or reprimand Donnelly or Dean.
“I believe that removing either of them at this time will lead to further instability that will impact staff and students,” she wrote.
Though resolutions that would satisfy both parties seem to be currently out of reach, the MEA said that it is still confident that it can work with the district’s administration to find a solution.
“We continue to feel optimistic that we will be able to facilitate opportunities for the interim superintendent to meet with a delegation of MEA members in order to further the conversation about what we need to ensure a safe working and learning environment for all,” the MEA wrote.
In response, McGuinness wrote that she shares the “dedication and admiration of our educators and will work diligently together” to provide that environment.
The MEA said that “until that time, we look forward to the interim superintendent turning her words of support into action.”