The Newton TAB is appealing to the Massachusetts Secretary of State’s Office to request a more substantial version of heavily redacted investigation into the response to the anti-Semitic graffiti at Day Middle School.
TAB appealing redacted report about Day hate incidents
by Village 14 | May 11, 2016 | Newton | 9 comments
I was looking at Newton’s Commissions and Boards on the City website and noted that we have a Human Rights Commission and Advisory Council made up of 9 members (with several openings currently). According to the City’s website: “The Human Rights Commission and Advisory Board promote tolerance and diversity in Newton with the goal of ensuring that all residents are treated fairly regardless of nationality, race, religion, abilities, age, or sexual orientation. They run programs for public education on human rights issues and examine reports of discrimination in any form within the City.”
Have they examined these reports? If so, what have they found? If not, why not?
Thank you to the Tab for doing this. A reminder of why community newspapers are so important.
I’m glad that people aren’t letting this go away. There are many layers to this whole issue and how it has been handled. I feel like when this report comes out, it will be quire embarrassing for Turner and Fleishman. And hopefully give some vindication to the teachers of Day.
Not just about this, but the Tab is firing on all cylinders now. Andy Levin and Jonathan Dame deserve kudos for doing a great job. Wicked Local has had horrible turnover with reporters. As an outsider, I would interpret it as evidence that they are underpaid. Hopefully, Jonathan sticks around for while.
The problem is Newton’s City Solicitor digs her heels in without any regard for the Citizenry or the taxpayers. So much for Setti Warren’s pledge for open transparency. Hopefully, the Globe and TAB will prevail on their Freedom of Information Requests.
Doug, the attorney who redacted the report was not the city solicitor, but David Connelly, of Morgan, Brown & Joy. He has been involved in school union contracts and personnel matters.
Jeffrey: Thanks so much. Jonathan is not too bad for a BC grad.
Andy,
The lawyer was hired by the City and I’m sure the bread crumbs will lead back to the City Solicitor.
He who pays for the Report controls the outcomes. Maybe you can put one of your Investigative Reporters on it. Good luck in getting your Freedom of Information request.
I think it’s fair to call David Connelly, the School Committee’s attorney. When you break the law and violate the public trust as often as Matt Hills, you certainly need your own attorney. And of course the taxpayers foot the bill.
The Globe is reporting that Newton teachers are demanding the full report
http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2016/05/23/newton-teachers-demand-full-report-graffiti-incidents/MzXMOzSTa5gLGeg9mz78KL/story.html