Pittsfield Council Sets Special Meeting Amid PHS Staff Scandal
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will vote on a statement in solitary with the School Committee amid Pittsfield High School's staff scandal.
Over the last week and a half, three PHS staff members were put on administrative leave for allegations of misconduct — one of them under federal arrest for drug charges. A special City Council meeting has been called on Monday at 6 p.m. to support, or not support, the School Committee’s request for an independent, third-party investigation.
A petition put forward by Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso, Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto, Councilor at Large Alisa Costa, and Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi on Dec. 19 requests the following statement be sent to Mayor Peter Marchetti:
"The City Council joins the school committee on its call for an investigation into the allegations against city employees as it pertains to recent personnel actions surrounding Pittsfield High School. Further, the City Council requests to be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports, or findings submitted to the City as part of this investigation. As the voice of the public, the City plays a role in protecting the rights and safety of all residents, as well as city employees."
In an email, Lampiasi wrote to iBerkshires that the allegations being addressed by the School Committee strike at the core of our community’s trust and safety and that the gravity is too serious for the City Council to remain silent or passive.
"It is essential for Pittsfield’s leaders to stand united in rooting out misconduct within our schools and addressing the systemic failures that may have allowed such behavior to occur or persist," she wrote.
"This is about protecting our children and fulfilling a responsibility to support residents while safeguarding the well-being and integrity of our entire community."
On Dec. 11, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine. Two days later, a second staff member was put on administrative leave because of an investigation conducted by the state Department of Children and Families.
On Dec. 19, a third PHS staff member was put on administrative leave — the second one to be investigated by the Department of Children and Families. Additionally, in a civil lawsuit, a PHS student has accused retired English teacher Robert Barsanti of making inappropriate comments to her and to classmates and Pittsfield Public Schools for failing to act.
During Wednesday's School Committee meeting, Chair William Cameron recommended that a third-party law firm be brought on board to investigate the administrative response to the alleged misconduct and the following day Superintendent Joseph Curtis seconded the recommendation.
President Pete White recognized that the district and School Committee have committed to investigations and that the council doesn’t like to get too involved in the committee’s matters that are out of its jurisdiction. However, when he saw the request signed by five councilors, he thought that having the special meeting on Monday was in order.
"I didn't want to put it off until the first meeting in January because constituents are concerned about this," he explained.
"Even though it is a School Committee matter, with five councilors and the public wanting something done, I thought it would be prudent to have the meeting this coming Monday night."
Ward 3 Councilor Matthew Wrinn wrote that he supports the independent investigation that has been presented by the School Committee.
"This year in our schools has been very challenging for many and a nightmare for others. I think an independent analysis of the totality of the Pittsfield public school system is necessary to be able to move forward," he wrote.
"Most specifically we need to substantiate any rumors or accusations while maintaining privacy and professionalism. Our children deserve better and I hope our administration can allow the investigators to have complete access so that we can hold those individuals accountable. It is of the utmost importance the school system be transparent. A change is needed and I strongly believe we will have answers and be on the right track to a better school system."
Wrinn feels that the school system needs "a lot of work," including the recruitment of new teachers, retention of teachers, and more thorough hiring practices. He said "It is obvious there has been a serious disconnect from reality" and encouraged people to run for School Committee during the next election.
"I am encouraged that we can move past this."
White seconded Marchetti’s comments during Wednesday’s School Committee meeting.
At the meeting, Marchetti acknowledged that the school community is hurting, afraid, and in need of help. He pledged to take care of them today and when the investigation comes back, take action to hold folks accountable.
"So my pledge is two things. I think if you've listened to me or watched me, I have concerns about the hiring process so I think our recommendations and where we're going is a step in the right direction," he said.
"I pledge that we will hold everyone accountable along the way when we get a fair investigation back from DCF and the FBI but right now, I want to turn away from the investigation for a moment and spend some time thinking about the students and the teachers, first at Pittsfield High School but then secondly across the district."
