Citizens Want School Management to Reverse Firing

Editor's note: The following was written by Patch Mayor Jack Buba, who was one of the residents who spoke against school officials' decision to fire Facilities Director Richard Matthews.

Marblehead – A group of local residents, including your Patch Mayor, went to the microphone at Thursday’s School Committee meeting to voice their disappointment with Superintendent, Maryann Perry; Executive Director of Technology and Operations, Ken Lord; and the HR Director, Rachel Bowen; for what seemed to be a rush to judgement in the firing the Facilities Director, Richard Matthews (Matty).

Weeks earlier Matthews was fired for allegedly knowing about and failing to stop the Bell School facilities staff from rinsing out previously emptied floor washing machines near the Bell School organic Garden. Parents noticed the rinse water running into the garden and alerted School Administrators.

A Facebook firestorm ensued. State and local health and pollution agencies were called in, and soil samples were taken.

Before the soil analysis results were known the School Administration demanded that Matthews resign, “effective immediately” even though Matthews retirement on September 21, 2018 had already been submitted and approved by the same School Department.

Subsequent to the firing, the soil analysis showed no contamination.

Cliff Smith pointed out that Matthews was a long-term employee and deserved to retire with a clean record in light of the no contamination finding. It was pointed out that once retired he may want to work at a golf course or some other job and this unfair blemish could hurt his employment possibilities.

Another local resident, Brenda Kelly Kim, was concerned that the communication from the Superintendent initially implied in her first school wide communication that hazardous chemicals had been dumped directly on the organic beds straight from the machines over a long period of time. Then after a few days it came out that it was only rinse water and it only impacted a small section of one of the organic beds; “Words really matter” she said.

All of the supporters used almost identical phrasing telling the School Committee and the Administration to “… make this right.”

As is their practice during the public comment time, did not engage in any back and forth discussion before going on with the remainder of the agenda.

Matthews has indicated that he has contacted a labor attorney and is considering legal action against the town.