Retired Middletown teacher tells board he and others reported retaliation, urges formal protections

Gregory Bennett, a lifelong Middletown resident and recently retired Middletown High School choir director, told the Board of Education on Feb. 12 that retired and former employees have sent letters reporting instances of retaliation, harassment and bullying allegedly by the superintendent and the district’s director of human resources.

Bennett urged the board to investigate the complaints and adopt measures to protect employees who report misconduct. He read and summarized a letter the group submitted that enumerated ten recommended measures, including independent investigations, preservation of documentation, avoiding abolishment of occupied positions as a reorganization tactic, and requiring full written communications to the board.

Bennett said the letter was signed by himself and former or retired district employees Linda Bratt, Richard Collins, Christine Giacchi and Terry Randolph and that the document had been provided to the board and the district clerk.

Earlier in the public comment period an unidentified commenter (speaker 11) announced they are running for the school board and cited the National School Boards Association (NISBA) standards for ethical conduct and a healthy district culture. The board acknowledged receipt of a letter referencing staff protections.

Board members did not debate or vote on remedies during the meeting; the transcript records that the board acknowledged receiving the letter and moved to other agenda items. The board’s next regular meeting is March 5 at 6:30 p.m.