An open letter to the New Bedford School Committee and Mayor Mitchell

By Julie Lavoie

First, let me congratulate those members who have sought and won re-election. As you all know, it was a very energizing election and in some races, it was closer than some of those running would have liked.

Second, I’d like to bring up the elephant in the room. We are facing a very difficult battle ahead in the search for the right candidate to lead our schools as superintendent. If you are not aware, the reputation for this district is not favorable among those looking to fill similar positions. This leads us to a smaller pool of candidates and even smaller of those who be the right fit for the job. This is deeply concerning.

Currently we have a situation which directly hampers any ability we have in finding the right match for our district. We have an outgoing superintendent that has taken out a no trespass order against an incoming committee member. Without presuming guilt or innocence on either side, if anyone felt there was sufficient fear for their personal safety, a no trespass order is not at all appropriate or even effective. Under a no trespass order any school official can summon Mr. Oliveira at any time to any place. According to FERPA, even a parent volunteer is considered a school official. Instead, the allegations should be presented to a judge with due process involved and the appropriate order put in place if the case has any merit. To be blunt, without due process and the presentation of that merit, this no trespass order gives the direct appearance of retaliation. And since perception is truth, that’s not something we want associated in any way with our district.

Regardless, this pivotal time for our district. This trespass order and the chaos surrounding it only serve as a major distraction from the serious work we have before us and furthers the already poor reputation we have as a district. The longer this plays out, the less effective we become at filing the position with a qualified candidate and the less qualified people are attracted to the position. In the end, I fear that this circus will only lead to yet another poor candidate in place and our children’s education will be no better for it.

At this time, I’m asking you to vote to remove the trespass order initiated by the superintendent against Mr. Oliveira. If there is sufficient rationale for her allegations she should pursue it in court like everyone else as any form of protection order. I’m asking you as a highly educated parent, as a resident who is invested in this city and as someone who wants the same thing everyone else does. Vacate the order so that we can all stop talking about it and get back to work on more important issues.