Wilmington Superintendent Resigns from Position: Reports

WILMINGTON, MA — According to multiple media reports, Wilmington Public Schools superintendent Mary DeLai has resigned from her post as the superintendent of schools.

According to reports from the Lowell Sun and Wilmington Apple, The Wilmington School Committee has accepted DeLai's resignation after an over three-hour meeting. Monday evening.

The school committee met in executive session Monday following news that DeLai had been arrested on Aug. 25 for driving under the influence.

The Wilmington Town Crier reports that the School Committee will now begin the search for an interim superintendent.

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Original Story

WILMINGTON, MA — Wilmington Public Schools Superintendent Mary DeLai was arrested on Aug. 25 for driving under the influence of alcohol, and the Wilmington School Committee will meet in a closed executive session Monday regarding the issue.

According to Essex County District Attorney's office spokeswoman Carrie Kimball-Monahan, DeLai was arraigned on a charge of operating under the influence on Aug. 31. She was ordered to participate in a driver safety and a brains at-risk class and her driver's license was suspended for 45 days, which Kimball-Monahan said is a "fairly standard outcome for a first offense."

DeLai was arrested on Aug. 25 in Salem. The Town of Wilmington stated Monday that Town Manager Jeffrey Hull and at least one selectman received the State police report from an anonymous source on Thursday, Sept. 29, and notified town officials.

According to the announcement, the School Committee is the appointing authority for the superintendent position, and will meet in executive session Monday to discuss the matter.

The superintendent had recently begun her third school year at the helm of Wilmington Public Schools. She was presented with the Massachusetts Association of School Business Officials, Inc. (MASBO) President's Award in June, given to an an individual who has contributed to the growth and improvement of MASBO.

DeLai has made headlines recently regarding the handling of domestic violence allegations against WHS physical education teacher Anthony Altieri. Altieri was permitted to return to work one week after he was arrested on domestic assault charges in Essex on Sept. 11.

A petition urging the school committee to take a vote of no confidence against DeLai began accumulating signatures in regards to the superintendent's handling of the situation. Selectman Greg Bendel also expressed his disappointment in the superintendent's failure to communicate with town officials before communicating with the public.

LATEST UPDATE: 2:37 p.m., Oct. 3.

A request for comment was not immediately answered by Wilmington School Committee Chairwoman Julie Broussard.

>>Image: Wilmington Community TV Screenshot