Paul Kadri Barred from School Property; Maintains his Innocence

The Groton Board of Education approved a resolution Monday adopting the arbitrator’s decision dismissing former Superintendent Paul Kadri and permanently barred him from school property.

Meanwhile, Kadri continued to maintain his innocence and said he has evidence such as telephone records, e-mails and text messages which show he did not harass employees.

“If you or a loved one was charged with something that you personally believed was completely false, and that you believed you have solid evidence that confirms that, what do you do? And I believe what you’re supposed to do is respectfully indicate that ‘I have what is the truth’,” he said.

On March 5, Arbitrator Timothy Bornstein found “due and sufficient cause” to terminate Kadri’s contract, saying he had abused, humiliated and threatened employees, according to the decision issued in the case.

Bornstein did not find Kadri guilty of moral misconduct and said "as an education leader he apparently made valuable contributions to Groton’s public schools."

Board Chairwoman Kirsten Hoyt said Monday that the school board would begin discussing the search for a new superintendent next week, and would decide then what that would entail.

She said many conversations would likely take place in executive session because the search involves staffing, but that hadn’t been determined yet.

Kadri said his legal defense has cost $40,000 and he may have to sell his house.

“If the goal was to hurt me, they’ve done a great job," he said. But he added that he took a substantial pay cut to go from investment banking to education because he valued it.

“And in a similar but somewhat less way, if I’m not given that opportunity to present the truth that I have, what about somebody else who may not be as strong as I am?” he said.