Residents and students press Pittsfield School Committee on safety; committee extends investigator retainer
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Summary
Public commenters and student representatives urged the Pittsfield School Committee to act after students reported safety concerns; the committee approved a one-month extension of a retainer agreement with outside investigators to complete an inquiry into accusations against district employees.
At its March 26 meeting, the Pittsfield School Committee heard public remarks and student testimony about safety and bullying in district schools, and voted to extend a retainer agreement with outside investigators working on accusations of wrongdoing by certain Pittsfield Public Schools employees.
Community member Karen Kalinowski told the committee she came after watching the prior meeting and said students had described feeling unsafe and pressured. “You have to do something. You have to listen to them,” she said, adding that she had seen students pressured during mediations when she worked in the schools and in law enforcement.
Student representative Miss Klepitar told the committee she and peers felt disappointment at the committee's earlier response to students who raised safety concerns. “We shouldn't have that feeling going into school every day,” she said.
Mister Sinopoli, a school committee member, apologized for remarks he made at the previous meeting and said he had failed the students: “I should have been stronger, and I wasn't. … We need to figure out a way to make you all feel safe.”
The public comments dovetailed with later agenda business. The committee voted to approve an extension until April 30, 2025, of the retainer agreement with the law firm retained to investigate “accusations of wrongdoing by certain Pittsfield Public School employees.” Committee members were told the investigation was nearing completion but documents might not be finished by the original March 31 retainer end date; the extension was described as a precaution to allow the contracted firm to finish its work. The motion to extend the retainer was made and seconded and carried by voice vote.
Superintendent Curtis told the committee the district must respond when students raise safety issues and highlighted that public comment and student testimony reflect concerns that need attention. The committee did not discuss investigative findings in open session.
Ending: The extension authorizes the investigators to continue their contracted work through April 30. Committee members said they expect the inquiry to conclude soon and indicated the results will be shared in line with legal and personnel rules once the investigative documents are complete.