Tensions Between Marblehead Teachers, Administration Remain High

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Several meetings between Marblehead Education Association leadership and Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness in recent days did little to quell the tensions between the teachers union and district administration following the union's call for the removal of two student services directors late last week.

The teachers union last week took a vote of "no confidence" in the student services leaders for what the union said was their inability "to secure safe and healthy learning environments in our schools" following a student restraint incident and subsequent staff paid leave suspensions at the Glover Elementary School two weeks ago. The union said 97 percent of the district's 260 teachers, paras and tutors voted in favor of the "no confidence" vote and statement sent to McGuinness calling for the dismissal of Students Services Director Paula Donnelly and Associate Director of Student Services Emily Dean.

(More on Patch: Marblehead Teachers Union Cites 'Unsafe Working Environment' At Glover)

MEA Co-Presidents Jonathan Heller and Sally Shevory told Patch on Monday that McGuinness denied their request to remove the directors and told them in a letter: "There is no need to place either Dr. Donnelly or Ms. Dean on a paid administrative leave, and I believe that removing either of them at this time will lead to further instability that will impact staff and students."

"The MEA members and leaders are extremely disappointed in the inadequate response that we received from Interim Superintendent McGuiness," Heller and Shevory told Patch on Monday. "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."

"Our meetings with Interim Superintendent McGuinness thus far have not moved us closer to identifying acceptable solutions."

McGuinness told the School Committee on Dec. 7 that the district will begin an investigation into the restraint incident and the response to it using a third-party investigator as well as conduct a review of all protocols and procedures to help create guidelines for any future need for restraint tactics involving students.

Four staff members were placed on paid administrative leave pending an investigation into the incident.

"The district's independent investigation must not be used as an excuse to delay any actions which should be taken immediately to protect staff and student safety," the union said on Monday. "We disagree with the superintendent's assessment that removing Dr. Donnelly and Ms. Dean from their posts at this time would be destabilizing. Rather, we understand that removing Dr. Donnelly and Ms. Dean from their positions would allow the interim superintendent to stabilize our Student Services Department. Under strong, capable leadership, we will be able to move forward together and shift the focus to where it belongs: safely and effectively serving our students."

The union said its leadership is willing to meet additionally with McGuinness "to further the conversation about what we need to ensure a safe working and learning environment for all."

"Until that time, we look forward to the interim superintendent turning her words of support (for the staff) into action."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. X/Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)