Boston Latin Controversy: Interim Headmaster to be Named

Boston Public Schools Superintendent Tommy Chang said he will announce a new interim headmaster at Boston Latin and asked the school to come together, the latest development in another week of controversy for the nation's oldest public school.

The statement came shortly after Boston Mayor Marty Walsh said in a separate statement Saturday afternoon he does not want to see Boston Latin's "level of excellence" diminished and that he fully supports the school.

It's been some kind of week for BLS, which has seen the headmaster and assistant headmaster resign in the wake of racism complaints and alleged civil rights violations.

On Friday, the Boston Globe reported that a review by school investigators deemed administrators mishandled "several racially charged incidents" as a source detailed one such incident involving a student.

"Boston Public Schools does not publicly release confidential information pertaining to students or student discipline that would warrant an invasion of privacy," Chang said in a statement. "I am troubled by any information shared publicly that constitutes a breach of that confidentiality."

The following is the full statement from Chang:

"Boston Public Schools does not publicly release confidential information pertaining to students or student discipline that would warrant an invasion of privacy. I am troubled by any information shared publicly that constitutes a breach of that confidentiality.

In a letter that was sent yesterday to the Boston Latin School community, I shared that I am committed to ensuring that BLS continues to uphold its longstanding tradition of providing outstanding education and preparing students for responsible, engaged citizenship. We must also continue the important work initiated this year of creating meaningful dialogues around race and culture to develop a school environment where all feel welcomed and supported.

Next week, I plan to name an interim headmaster for Boston Latin due to this week's resignation of Headmaster Lynne Mooney Teta, who was a dedicated leader of the school. Thereafter, BPS and BLS will begin to map out the process to find a permanent school leader.

I ask the Boston Latin School community to come together in respectful and engaged collaboration and dialogue as we begin this important process and continue to provide the best possible education and experiences for our students."

The following is the full statement from Walsh:

"As Mayor, I will continue to strongly support Boston Latin School's high standards of excellence and rigor, and the record of achievement that benefits the entire city. More importantly, I will never take steps that diminish that level of excellence, or put it at risk. I am committed to the goals of the BLS student, educator and alumni community, not only in maintaining the tradition of excellence, but also in ensuring the culture at BLS is one where every student feels safe from discrimination."

Photo courtesy of WHDH, 7-News