MONSON — At its meeting on Nov. 13, the School Committee voted to move forward in an effort to hire an interim school superintendent in light of the retirement of former Superintendent Cheryl Clarke on Oct. 24.
On Nov. 4, Clarke announced she need to take an extended medical leave and would not be returning from medical leave. Clarke had worked for the district for 20 years with 12 of them serving as superintendent.
Kate Watts is the acting superintendent until an interim is hired. The district’s website has already been changed to reflect Clarke’s departure.
Although there are four school district employees who have the licensures to take on the job, none of them want it, School Committee members said. The committee will seek an external candidate who would run the district until June 30. Committee members added that the four employees who have the necessary licensure will not be barred for applying for the permanent superintendent job.
Clarke’s departure came before the Monson Educational Association could address the committee with the results of a no confidence vote it took. Kaitlyn Walker of Monson Educators Association explained during the meeting’s public speak-out time the no confidence vote of 93% of the employees expressing their opinion in Clarke’s record. The association consists of teachers, nurses, speech therapists, assistant principals, instructional aides, teacher assistants and cafeteria workers, among other employees.
Walker explained 93% lack confidence “in Dr. Clarke’s leadership, safe working environment, professional and her overall awareness of building matters.”
Seen over the course of several years, “district matters have become worse.”
“Through all of this, we want to be clear on one thing — the heart of our staff rests on firmly on the safety and success of our students,” Walker said,
She added the association’s “efforts are in the protection of a school system we love deeply.”
Monson resident Bob Lamb said of Clarke’s leadership, “We have been burdened for many years by a school administration that for unknown reason be they personal, ego, arrogance, incompetence or just plain laziness, has been underperforming and stealing countless opportunities from our young people.”
He charged that Clarke blamed the students at the Quarry Hill Community School for their MCAS results and then closed the school so their scores would not affect the district’s overall scores.
Lamb also accused Clarke of financial mismanagement.
He called for termination and said, “Nothing short of termination is enough.”
Jessica Allen, a parent of a fifth grader in a situation with an adult bully, said her child’s principal was a “consummate professional,” but believed Clarke did not have the documentation to keep her safe.
Allen had to take the issue to state officials.
She said, “Cronyism raises superior over my children’s welfare.”
The committee members did not respond to any of the statements made during the public speak-out period, which is policy.
The committee then reviewed some aspects of the superintendent job description and have scheduled a working meeting to revise it in light of hiring an external candidate for the interim position.
