Parents, teachers press Pittsfield School Committee over alleged staff misconduct; chair seeks independent review

Multiple parents and teachers used the public‑comment portion of the Pittsfield School Committee’s Dec. 18 meeting to make serious allegations about district hiring and staff conduct, prompting the committee to announce steps toward an independent review.

Jacqueline Rickey, a parent and current teacher, told the committee that "every student has the right to feel safe at school" and outlined allegations that included a dean accused of trafficking drugs and a vice principal alleged to have had inappropriate relationships with students. Valerie Anderson later said an FBI arrest of a dean for alleged cocaine trafficking and other investigations had left her with "lost all faith in the administration."

Chair Doctor Cameron replied that Massachusetts law and district policy limit what the committee can do in open session about individual personnel matters, but he said the committee will seek a third‑party law firm with no prior relationship to the district to perform three tasks: investigate what has transpired regarding the administrative response to alleged misconduct, review hiring and vetting procedures, and issue recommendations for improving practices. "The work product of this investigation and review would be a public document," he said.

Mayor Marchetti told the committee he had "no clue" about the incidents until notified and pledged the city will "follow through with the FBI and DCF" and "hold everyone accountable along the way when we get a fair investigation." Several other committee members echoed calls for patience while the FBI and DCF complete their inquiries and for transparent, independent review of hiring and reporting processes.

Committee members repeatedly cautioned about the legal limits of their authority: Chair and others noted the Education Reform Act and open‑meeting law constrain what the school committee can do in open session about employee discipline, and the committee does not directly hire most staff. Still, several members and the chair said an independent review is warranted to restore public confidence.

The meeting record shows repeated requests from the public for swift action: speakers asked that the committee "clean house," strengthen vetting and background checks, and consider pausing restructuring efforts until investigations are complete. The committee did not take personnel action at the meeting; instead, it voted to continue with regular agenda items and to proceed with the proposed independent review and to allow the FBI and DCF investigations to run their course.

The next procedural step identified at the meeting is for the district to secure a law firm with no prior relationship to the district; the chair said the process of securing such a third party was "underway." The committee emphasized that any findings that can be lawfully shared will be made public and that the priority in the short term is support for students and staff while investigations continue.