Dear Students, Families, Staff, and Community Members:
As many of you know, in late March, the Mayor indicated to me directly and in person that he wanted a change in leadership for New Bedford Public Schools. He gave me two business days to decide on my course of action. I subsequently entered into discussions with the Mayor (through our respective attorneys), who acted on behalf of the School Committee. I want to announce that, ultimately, we have arrived at a compromise regarding my status with New Bedford Public Schools. I must emphasize that this has not been an easy decision, and that there are many paths I could have chosen to follow. I have, however, at all times sought to keep the best interests of the district in mind. It has been decided, therefore, that I will remain as Superintendent through August 3, 2012 , but will be taking my accrued vacation leave beginning May 14, 2012 , while an Acting Superintendent takes over the reigns of the district’s operations. Subsequent to that time I will receive a severance package and will regrettably cease my association with New Bedford Public Schools, except by virtue of my retirement. This is not the path that I would have originally chosen, as I had hoped to remain with New Bedford Public Schools for several years to come. However, given the circumstances, and the need to ensure stability in the district, this appears to be the best alternative for all concerned. Most importantly, I am focused on what is best for the students and staff of New Bedford Public Schools, and given all the hard work that has been undertaken in the district, I wanted to ensure a minimum of disruption.
I will miss you all terribly, and want to express my profound and immense gratitude to those who have offered their kind support during this time, and who have been so diligent and thoughtful in all of their efforts. It is my sincere wish that the district can move forward from here, and that our students will thrive and ultimately experience academic and career success. They deserve no less.
Dr. Mary Louise Francis
May 9, 2012
4 comments:
Thank you Mary Lou for the countless hours and all that you did for the school district.
Just a few months ago they praised you and called you a healer. Today, because of an election and a person with no heart they've discarded you like trash. What does that say about our elected school committee?
"As societies grow decadent, the language grows decadent, too. Words are used to disguise, not to illuminate, action: You liberate a city by destroying it. Words are used to confuse, so that at election time people will solemnly vote against their own interests."
—Gore Vidal, Imperial America, 2004
WE will miss you. Thank you for all that you have done for the New Bedford schools. Mayor Mitchell should step into your shoes and let's see him try to accomplish what you have done without the heart you posses.
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