Parents and former teachers urge board to investigate staff departures and alleged harassment at Bentley Elementary

Several current and former staff members and parents raised concerns about working conditions at Bentley Elementary, asking the board to review multiple staff departures and allegations of mistreatment by the school’s principal.

A number of speakers during the public comment period identified themselves as current or recently retired Bentley Elementary teachers and described a pattern of supervisory behavior they said created a fearful and “toxic work environment.” The speakers included a recently retired teacher who said he experienced anxiety and chest pains related to stress leading up to his departure; another speaker described emails and meetings with the principal that she characterized as degrading and emotionally abusive and said a doctor advised her to step back for health reasons.

A parent, William Heckman of Canton, said his daughter’s classroom experienced a sudden staff change and that he was seeking information from the district about whether the administration had investigated the departures. He asked that the district share the results of any investigation before the fall to help families know what to expect. The parent told the board he had not been informed of the reasons for a substitute’s replacement with a different long‑term substitute and asked the district to communicate findings and next steps.

Speakers said large numbers of experienced teachers left Bentley in the last two years and asked the board to review exit interviews, internal communications and Human Resources responses. Several said they had filed complaints and had not received acknowledgment from HR. One speaker asked why a highly qualified internal candidate had been passed over for principal openings in the past, suggesting that hiring decisions may have wider implications.

Superintendent Monica Merritt and other district leaders were present at the meeting; during the comments board members acknowledged the concerns and later reiterated that district complaint processes exist and that administrators and HR can be contacted. Superintendent Merritt and other administrators invited individuals to use established complaint channels so the district can investigate and act on substantiated concerns. Board members and administrators said they could not discuss personnel investigations in a public forum but encouraged those with concerns to escalate them through the chain of command so the district can follow up.

No formal board action or personnel decision was made on the record during the public meeting; several speakers asked the board to ensure follow‑up and to provide families and staff information about any resolution before the start of the school year.