Parents and residents accuse Pawtucket School Committee chair of seeking superintendent’s ouster as board moves to executive session

The Pawtucket School Committee moved into a closed executive session on Feb. 27 to discuss possible litigation and personnel matters after a wave of public criticism about the committee’s handling of Superintendent Ms. Royal.

Parents and residents used the public comment period to press the committee for answers about the superintendent’s status and to question the conduct of Chair Reyes. "You have no intention of listening to what the public wants or needs," said Cameron Segala, asserting the chair intended to remove the superintendent and urging other members "to be brave." Pat Ford asked a series of procedural questions for the record about whether "Ms. Royal had been noticed of a termination prior to notice being issued" for a special meeting, whether she was entitled to a show-cause hearing and counsel, and whether her contract could obligate the district to a payout "in the realm of hundreds of thousands of dollars." Ford said the public "has a right to know."

Several other speakers defended the superintendent. "Since she's done her job, the scores have gone up," resident Glenn Dufault said, asking the committee to provide the data that could justify dismissal. Clovis Greger called the superintendent "the first woman of color to have taken her position" and said it would be "insulting" to dismiss her while resources, not leadership, remain the root problem. Christine Bento told the committee that the chair had misrepresented an earlier meeting in public accounts and criticized reports that the chair planned to have police at meetings, saying such steps "scare teachers and administrators from wanting to work in Pawtucket."

Despite the public contention, the committee completed several routine and substantive agenda items before the executive session. Members approved Draft 4 of the 2025–26 school calendar after debate focused on whether the two-week break between Christmas and New Year’s should be shortened; Deputy Chair Bonolo recorded a "No" during the calendar roll call while the chair and other members recorded "Yes," and the chair announced the calendar approved. The committee also approved a DECA field trip to the DECA International Career Development Conference in Lake Buena Vista/Orlando, Florida, April 25–30, for approximately six students and two chaperones. Mr. Pimentel, who presented the field-trip request, confirmed there would be a female chaperone for any female students.

On school improvement, Dr. Rabbit described two separate consulting contracts with SchoolWorks: one targeted redesign consultation for Slater Middle School and a second, less intensive contract to assist four CSI-identified schools (Shea High School, Tolman High School, Jenks Middle School and Goff Middle School) as they prepare CSIP plans. Dr. Rabbit said SchoolWorks was recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Education and that CSI funds would cover the contracts’ costs. Committee members asked about per-school fees, scope of services and whether each school would produce its own plan; Dr. Rabbit confirmed each school would have its own plan and that the CAB serves all CSI schools.

After those votes the committee voted to enter executive session under Rhode Island General Law 42-46-5(a)(2) (possible litigation) and 42-46-5(a)(1) (personnel). When the board returned to open session, the clerk reported that a motion by Joanne Bonolo to seal the executive session minutes, seconded by Kimberly Grant, was approved, and that a motion to adjourn the closed meeting was also approved.

What happens next: Committee members did not provide substantive answers during public comment about the questions raised concerning the superintendent’s notification, contractual obligations or potential payouts; those matters were listed for discussion in executive session. The committee’s public actions included approvals of the calendar, the DECA trip and both SchoolWorks contracts; the board then moved the personnel and litigation items into closed session for further consideration.