Lowell Sun Editorial Demands Answers from Wilmington School Committee

WILMINGTON, MA — In a recent edition of the Lowell Sun, the newspaper penned an editorial criticizing the Wilmington School Committee for a "lack of transparency," in regards to the handling of the situation surrounding the resignation of former superintendent Mary DeLai.

The editorial stated that residents should be questioning the school committee about when they became aware of DeLai's arrest on Aug. 25, and whether or not they knew about the arrest before news broke on Oct. 1. The editorial also questioned the role of DeLai's allowing a teacher charged with domestic violence to return to school, and whether it played a part in DeLai's concealing it from the public.

"It's inconceivable to us that no one in the Wilmington school system was aware of DeLai's arrest and court appearance before the news broke over the weekend," wrote the Sun's editorial board.

The Sun also argued that while the school committee may be wishing to move on from this incident, the taxpayers deserve answers.

"Vice Chairman Steve Bjork and the rest of the school board may want to put this whole disturbing episode behind them, but the people who pay their salaries deserve some answers," read the editorial.

During the Oct. 12 meeting of the school committee, the first public meeting of the committee since DeLai's resignation, Chairwoman Julie Broussard applauded members of the school committee as well as school staff for their handling of the situation. She did not reference the editorial, but added that the Wilmington School committee has done what it can to inform the public.

"I acknowledge the last few weeks have been challenging for our school community," Broussard stated at the meeting."The Wilmington School Committee has done our very best to be as transparent as legally possible."

Broussard also clarified that school committee members are not paid and are volunteers.

"Please remember that while the individuals sitting besides me are elected officials, the Wilmington School Committee members are volunteers," said Broussard."It may surprise you, but we receive no pay or stipend for the work we do. Our children and grandchildren attend Wilmington public schools. Members of this committee have devoted countless hours of service to this town. We do this because we care all the children of Wilmington, and are passionate about public education.

You can also read the Lowell Sun's full editorial here.

Image via Wilmington Community Television Screenshot.