State's AG Says Weymouth Superintendent Search Committee Violated Open Meeting Law

WEYMOUTH, MA — The committee pegged with finding Weymouth's next superintendent violated state law by entering executive session to create questions, only advancing one candidate for finalist interviews, and withholding draft minutes, the state's Attorney General's office said.

Thursday, the AG's office released the findings of their investigation into the search committee. The complain was filed by Christian Schiavone of the Patriot Ledger.

"Following our review, we find that we find that the Committee violated the Open Meeting Law by improperly convening in executive session to formulate questions, forwarding only one candidate for final approval, and creating insufficiently specific meeting minutes," Assistant Attorney General Kevin W. Manganaro wrote.

The now disbanded committee was ordered to comply with the law, warning that multiple violations could show an intent to break the Open Meeting Law.

In April, the committee recommended then-Assistant Superintendent Jennifer Curtis-Whipple as the only finalist, sparking controversy in the search process. A total of 20 applicants were received and five were interviewed.

Prior to the search, the committee was advised to only advances candidates they felt comfortable with as the superintendent.

Click here to read the full decision.