Was Wayland AD's Theft Arrest 'Over the Top'?

Some Wayland residents are taking issue with the way an arrest of a former high school athletic director was handled.

Several made comments at a recent school committee meeting about the recent arrest of Stephen Cass, 49, reported the Boston Globe.

Cass, 49, 21 Woodland Road, Wayland, was arrested and charged with larceny over $250 and receiving stolen property over $250. On Monday, Oct. 26, the Wayland Public School District reported that an employee no longer employed by the district was believed to be in possession of a computer owned by the district, reported police.

After an investigation and search warrant, police recovered the computer.

Cass’s contract was not renewed by the district last year.

He pleaded not guilty and the case was continued to Dec. 18.

But residents are commenting that the arrest was “really over the top” and a “black mark on our school administration and sadly against our police department.” Another resident said it impacted the perception of the town and is disturbing, said the Globe. Another questioned whether Superintendent Paul Stein needed to contact police.

According to the Globe, Cass said that he had gotten the OK from a school employee to take the old laptop.

“There were efforts to handle this internally, “ Superintendent Stein told Patch. “Mr. Cass was sent two notices asking him to return this school department-issued computer. When later asked directly, he reported that he had already returned this computer, an assertion which we took at his word. In conducting a routine inventory of the district’s laptops, the Instructional Technology Department concluded that this computer, in fact, was never turned in. This information was reported to the police department, which subsequently conducted an investigation and recovered the computer.”

Earlier in the summer, after his contract was not renewed, Cass had made waves in the community and media by alleging that the sports department suffered from problems that ranged from discrimination to misused funds.

Superintendent Stein responded with a letter to the school community, indicating, “The recent dialogue about allegations regarding our athletic program has understandably created questions and concerns. Unfortunately, these allegations and the ensuing public speculation, have led to an erosion of trust which is fueled by the need to keep personnel matters confidential. It’s our hope that with direct information about our policies and practices, we can establish a more balanced dialog and set a tone of positive discourse.”

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