Dear Editor,
Every Wilmington citizen has the ability to call for change.
It is easy for any one of us to get on our Facebook soapbox, but how much change will that really bring? It floods message boards and fuels online arguments that make us feel better our opinion was heard, but this is only for a while, and nothing will change.
In Wilmington, the Superintendent is solely responsible for personnel decisions. Superintendent Mary DeLai acted alone to reinstate a teacher back to work after that he was arrested on charges of “domestic assault and battery on an intimate partner, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, and wanton destruction of personal property.”
Mr. Altieri was placed on a very brief, paid-administrative leave, and allowed back into our school system to teach. In a recent statement, Superintendent DeLai communicated that the decision to allow Mr. Altieri back was based on his record with the school as a 13-year veteran.
I remind the community that actions speak louder than words. By allowing this instructor back into our school, Superintendent DeLai made her opinion clear on how she feels about providing a “safe community” for the students and families of our Wilmington School system.
No prudent regard was taken for our children who may be the victims of domestic violence themselves. Are we so naïve a community that we can say that there are no families who may be the silent victims of domestic abuse within our town? How do you think these students who live in these abusive situations feel when their last place for a safe haven was the halls of our schools? We need to reach these children on every level so they can to break their silence. The Superintendent should be asking herself how she expects to handle the fall out now that her actions show the well-being of our students and community are not put first on her agenda.
Mary DeLai needs to be questioned on what she feels her true duties are as our Superintendent; perhaps even reminded that her duties include moral and ethical decisions as they affect the safety and well being of our students and community. Perhaps she should also be reminded that the voice of the people is far more audible than her own, and perhaps it is we who should be making these decisions.
So how do you make your voices heard? WHO does Mary DeLai report to? Simple; the School Board, and The School Board answers to all of us.
So go get on your Facebook soapbox, then jump down and do something with your voice. Email your thoughts and feelings to every School Board Representative. We alone can bring change, and we will, but only if your voice is heard by those whom we have elected.
Below is a list of all the email addresses for each School Board Member. Let them know how you feel, let them hear your voice. Send a message to the Superintendent that the students; our children; come first.
julie.broussard@wpsk12.com
stephen.bjork@wpsk12.com
virginia.bonish@wpsk12.com
margaret.kane@wpsk12.com
thomas.talbot@wpsk12.com
manny.mulas@wpsk12.com
maryjane.byrnes@wpsk12.com
Please also consider signing this Change.org petition, asking the School Committee to take a vote of no confidence on Superintendent DeLai.
Sincerely,
Brooke Silva
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