Amid Criticism, School Committee Recording Secretary Resigns

The recording secretary for the Stoughton School Committee has resigned after a committee member made comments aimed at her during a meeting in October.

During the Oct. 27 meeting, Julie Giroux announced through a correspondence that she is stepping down from the position.

“My resignation is due to the way I was treated by Mr. Soares at the October 13 meeting. His words that were directed at me were inappropriate, unfair, and uncalled for. I do appreciate the committee’s support during the time I was the secretary,” the letter said.

On Oct. 13, committee member Joaquin Soares took issue with the minutes for the June 9 meeting, protesting that a statement read by him as part of a performance evaluation Superintendent Marguerite Rizzi’s performance evaluation was listed as an additional document in the minutes and not summarized inside the minutes.

“My speeches get mashed with some title that gets boring,” Soares said, claiming that he is unfairly treated. “This is my story and how I visualize what has taken place.”

Chairperson Katie Pina-Enokian told Soares that a copy of his statement is given to anyone who requests the minutes since it is an attached document.

“The fact is that it only refers to your statement is because you read a statement,” committee member Joyce Husseini said. “I don’t understand why the statement process continues. I think it’s horrible that you put our recording secretary on the spot like this.”

While open meeting law requires a summary of meeting minutes, a direct transcript is not considered to be necessary.

Vice-chair said that the inclusion of statements as an attached document has been explained to Soares in the past.

“You are now wasting this committee’s time,” she said.

The minutes were approved 3-1, with Soares voting no

After the resignation letter was read, Cochran said, “I’d like to add that I thought (Giroux) did a very good job. It’s not easy to take minutes and condense what people say, but I always found her very accurate and professional.”