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Parents and former staff say Bentley Elementary unsafe, raise staff-exodus concerns
Summary
Multiple parents, former teachers and paraprofessionals told the Plymouth‑Canton School Board that repeated safety lapses at Bentley Elementary and ongoing workplace harassment under the current principal have driven staff departures and left students at risk.
Multiple parents, former teachers and paraprofessionals urged the Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools Board of Education on Monday to act after what speakers described as repeated safety failures and a pattern of staff harassment at Bentley Elementary School.
“I am here tonight because what is happening at Bentley is not just concerning, it's dangerous,” said Carol Weisner, a former English language development teacher at Bentley, who spoke on behalf of a colleague. Weisner, other former employees, and family members described a series of incidents they say shows leadership and safety problems at the school.
Speakers recounted that a student with special needs went missing on school grounds for a third time. “Just yesterday, a special needs student was lost for the third time while attending Bentley. Although she was eventually found on school grounds, her mother is now living with trauma and constant fear every time she sends her daughter to school,” Weisner said.
Parent Crystal Clark told the board her daughter, a first grader with Down syndrome, “was lost on the playground again for the third time” and asked the district to prioritize a fence and better‑trained paraprofessionals: “Please get a fence at the school to protect the children.”
Former teachers described what they called a pattern of personnel departures tied to building leadership. “That's 21 employees that have left,” said Sherry Bowler, listing teachers and paraprofessionals she said had left Bentley. Michelle West, a former Bentley teacher, said the school has “lost 10 teachers. None were planning to retire,” and described the departures as an “exodus.”
Speakers asked the board to take specific steps including investigating the leadership environment, clarifying personnel safeguards, and accelerating safety fixes on campus. Several urged administrative leave for the principal while investigations proceed.
Board members did not take immediate action during the public‑comment period. Vice President Anupam Chuk Sidhu told commenters the board does not answer detailed personnel or operational questions during citizens' comments; instead, Superintendent Merritt was asked to investigate and follow up in writing.
Superintendent Merritt acknowledged the concerns and said district staff will follow up with those who requested further contact. No formal disciplinary actions or personnel decisions were announced at the meeting.
The public remarks cited trauma and declining staff morale, classroom disruption from repeated turnover, and concrete safety demands such as playground fencing and stable paraprofessional staffing. Those asking for follow‑up said they will await the superintendent's written report and clarified evidence they believe supports personnel action.
The board meeting continued with other agenda items after the public‑comment block closed. The Bentley speakers told the board they would provide further documentation if requested.
