Parents and teachers raise allegations of bullying, harassment and staff turnover at Bentley Elementary; board told investigation is underway

Multiple current and former teachers and parents urged the Plymouth‑Canton Community Schools Board of Education to investigate workplace conduct at Bentley Elementary, alleging a pattern of bullying and emotional abuse by the school’s principal that they say has caused teachers to leave or seek transfers.

Speakers who identified themselves as current or former Bentley staff described repeated criticism, over‑monitoring, exclusion from duties and alleged public shaming. Nicole McGinn, a reading specialist who said she previously served under the same principal at Lakewood Elementary, described a pattern of staff departures in his first year there and alleged relentless criticism and overbearing supervision that she characterized as “gaslighting.” Several parents — including one who read a letter from another parent — said sudden mid‑year teacher departures had harmed students and family trust.

Retired art teacher Peggy Leonard and other public commentators said numerous Bentley teachers had left or gone on leave since the principal arrived and called on the district to take the allegations seriously. One parent speaker, who read a letter, asked the board and superintendent to “restitute” staff removed or driven from their positions and to conduct a fair, independent investigation.

Michelle West, who identified herself as a teacher and said she had left Lakewood previously under the same principal, read a letter and spoke on behalf of Bentley teachers. West said she and other teachers provided written statements and questioned why it took more than a week for human resources to contact staff who had spoken at the May 13 meeting. West asked whether the district’s internal investigation process is timely and urged transparency about how transfer interviews were handled for staff who sought reassignment.

Superintendent Monica Merritt and the district indicated that human resources would investigate the allegations. In public remarks recorded in the meeting, district human resources and administration said they take allegations seriously and are committed to a thorough review; staff at the meeting pressed for clarity on timelines and whether the district had interviewed all former employees who left Bentley.

The board did not take immediate disciplinary action during the meeting. Multiple speakers requested a prompt, transparent, and fair investigation and asked for protection from retaliation for staff who have come forward. The speakers also urged the board to review Bentley’s school culture and consider reinstatement of teachers where appropriate.

The transcript also records concerns from parents about the impact on students, including disruption to continuity of instruction when teachers left mid‑year. Several public speakers requested that the board follow up and provide a report on specific investigative steps and outcomes.