Parents press Middleborough schools for clearer communication as superintendent defends EEE response

Bridget Kearns told the Middleborough School Committee on Sept. 26 that parents are concerned about the tone and clarity of district communications after reports that the Pledge of Allegiance was not being recited daily at some schools. "There's a lot of really condescending, derogatory, just really inappropriate communication coming back from the school," Kearns said, urging the committee to address how the district responds to parent concerns.

Superintendent Lyons said the district has followed state requirements for the pledge and repeated that teachers and schools have continued the practice. Lyons called the recent flap "misinformation" in some online posts and said the district is trying to focus staff time on student safety and learning instead of responding to repeated rumors. "Two things can be true at the same time," Lyons said, describing instances where a classroom-based recital might lead a student to not hear a buildingwide announcement.

Several parents said they remain unconvinced. One resident asked, "Are all of these kids lying?" and urged the administration to investigate whether a PA-system or classroom noise issue could explain the discrepancy. Committee member Jess recommended that parents first speak with teachers to determine whether the pledge was heard in class and, if not, to raise the issue with building staff.

Lyons also connected the communications concern to other items that dominated recent meetings, saying the district spent significant time responding to claims about concessions fundraising and the pledge rather than operational priorities. Lyons said an online public-records request has been filed and urged parents to provide specific emails or examples that the district can review.

On the pledge question, Lyons said district staff are available to follow up on specific reports and asked parents to forward any email communications they find unprofessional so the administration can investigate. "If you have a communication you thought was rude from a principal, I'd ask you to forward it to me, and I'll make sure that we look into it," the chair said during the discussion.

The exchange reflected broader frustration among parents and committee members about the speed and manner of district responses. Kearns and other speakers called on the committee to exercise closer oversight of the superintendent’s communications and to prioritize transparent, timely replies to families.

The committee did not take formal disciplinary action; members said they would accept specific examples for review and that further discussion could follow once staff gathers the relevant emails and records.