Boston Public Schools probes discrimination allegations raised by school leaders of color

Boston Public School officials confirmed Monday the district has commissioned an investigation into allegations of discrimination against school leaders of color.

The move was prompted by an Aug. 24 letter to then-incoming superintendent Mary Skipper alleging that administrators of color were being disproportionately subjected to "investigatory meetings" and placed on administrative leave after speaking out about problematic policies.

The letter, signed by 15 former principals and other school leaders, argues that so-called investigatory meetings have mostly impacted administrators of color. The development was first reported by BPS parent-run news site Boston Parents Schoolyard News.

"We find the recent occurrence to be highly suspect and racist given the history," the letter states. “These cases seem to be orchestrated and intentional, primarily to deliver a message of fear and intimidation, a message that you will be discredited and destroyed if you speak out against racist and ineffective policies and practices.”

Edith Bezile, one of the co-signers and a former BPS literacy program director, says school leaders of color feel they're being labeled as "troublemakers" by raising policy concerns.

"There is a clear message that Black leaders are disposable in BPS unless they 'go along to get along,'" said Belize. "That's part of a racially hostile environment and that has to end."

In a written statement, Skipper, who became superintendent in late September, said the district has "zero tolerance for discrimination." But she added, "The reality is that institutional racism exists and has had an extremely negative impact on our community for many generations." Skipper says BPS is committed to identifying and dismantling the systems that perpetuate institutional racism.

The investigation is being conducted by Natashia Tidwell, an attorney with law firm Saul Ewing Arnstein and Lehr, according to a district spokesman. Officials with BPS say the district initiated a review by outside counsel in late August shortly after learning about these discrimination allegations.

A district spokesman said investigatory meetings are not necessarily disciplinary in nature, but rather give employees a chance to share their version of an incident after a student, family or co-worker accuses them of misconduct. Employees are allowed to bring a union representative or legal counsel to these meetings.

Skipper says she isn't at liberty to comment on the ongoing investigation. But in her statement she added that she has "deep respect" for the retired educators who signed off on the letter, including Al Holland, a 30-year veteran of BPS and former headmaster of Jeremiah E. Burke High School.

"I have had a productive meeting and conversation with Al Holland in the spirit of strengthening our practices to address any known issues. Investigating these allegations and any others that might occur and taking action are critical steps to hold ourselves accountable," said Skipper.

Bezile said she hopes the investigation will be "deep and aggressive." She also hopes that impacted staff who have signed a non-disclosure agreement will be allowed to speak freely with the investigator. If those provisions aren't met, Bezile says, "that would be a red flag."