Its something that we are taking very seriously, Middletown Mayor Ben Florsheim said. Middletown Superintendent of Schools Michael Conner has been granted a leave of absence after a group of teachers in the town voiced concerns of harassment and intimidation in the school district. The board held a special meeting mainly behind closed doors during executive session, in response to allegations by current and former employees about intimidation, harassment, and retaliation by central office senior management. Not worry if I am going to be alive. Minnesota Republicans Continue Calls for Tax Cuts amid Budget Surplus, Croms Crommentary: Biden Is Such a Grifter That He Just Simply Doesnt Understand What Hes Doing, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2QD4895DU0. Conner could not be reached for comment, but gave a statement to The Middletown Press denying any wrongdoing. Her attorney did not respond to a request for comment by the time this article was published. A 15-page letter sent to the home of Middletown Superintendent Dr. Michael Conner last week is now at the center of a police investigation. . Tuesday night. Many people are walking away from these roles.". Inaugural Q Williams Taste Of Middletown Set For October, Meriden Motorcycle 24 Hour Fundraiser For Camp Nerden 7-21 & 7-22-23. According to the complaint, Conners disproportionately poor treatment of female administrators began a few weeks after he joined the district in November 2017. The superintendent of Middletown Public Schools in Connecticut, who has been on paid leave due to an investigation into allegations of misconduct by top district officials, has resigned suddenly, claiming he received threats and a racist letter. MIDDLETOWN The Middletown Board of Education has voted to place school superintendent Michael T. Conner on paid administrative leave while an independent investigation continues into. Posted Tue, Mar 8, 2022 at 3:04 pm ET . Both groups are in favor of an independent investigation into the allegations. MIDDLETOWN, CT Milford resident Michael T. Conner has been hired by the Middletown Board of Education as the district's next superintendent of schools. (Shutterstock) MIDDLETOWN, CT Jennifer Cannata was named assistant superintendent of Middletown Public Schools at a special Board of Education on . In May of 2018, Conner allegedly made explicitly sexual comments to Macri while they were alone in his office. The board held a . Lets us continue to discuss in classrooms as well the shoulders of women who demonstrated progress, voice, and strength.#ChangeTheWorld pic.twitter.com/cxBVlJnsHS, Being raised by four black women built an amazing foundation for who I am today, Conner wrote. The letter written by Roger Passavant includes quotes by Martin Luther King Jr. and lyrics to the song, The Sound of Silence by Simon and Garfunkel. We arent as ignorant to believe racism and biases dont live in our community, but at the first sign we will work to address them thanks to the many strong leaders and partners working to make Middletown a better place.. Middletown Public School Directories In 2022 Otte was awarded "Rookie of the Year," by the New England Newspaper & Press Association. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Results were presented orally to school board members March 30. Back 2 School Community Day: Here's What You Need To Know, How To Beat The End-Of-Summer Blues In Middletown, Summer Passes For The Veterans Pool Available Starting Wednesday, Middletown Home To CT's First-Ever Cosmetology Apprenticeship Program, Middletown's Newest Business Has Soft, Fluffy And Creamy Marshmallows. Evidence was shared with investigators and the BOE that these false allegations were intentionally fabricated as part of a plan to remove me from the Office of the Superintendent. On May 10, the board directed Shipman & Goodwin to provide a summary. Ex-School Administrator Sues Former Middletown Superintendent - MSN New Superintendent Of Schools Hired In Middletown - Patch Author: FOX61 Staff Published: 9:33 PM EST March 4, 2022 Updated: 11:29 PM EST March 4, 2022 MIDDLETOWN, Conn. The superintendent of Middletown Public Schools has submitted his resignation,. "The accusations being made against him, if he was not a Black man, they wouldnot be making them," said David Roane of Middletown. 'Disturbing Letter' Sent To Middletown Superintendent: Mayor. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. The appointment was effective immediately. The Middletown Press is reporting that The Middletown Board of Education on Tuesday named Principal Enza Marci the new assistant superintendent for the city schools. The complaint, which was filed in the U.S. District Court in Connecticut on June 8, alleged a pattern of gender discrimination against Macri and other female employees at Middletown Public Schools, and that Macri was subjected to repeated sexual harassment and outright sexual assault from Conner. Dr. 860-638-1401. Joyce Carey . Middletown superintendent of schools granted leave of absence amid New Haven County woman is first human case of West Nile virus in CT this season. Jessie Lavorgna, the districts director of communications, said that the Board of Education does not comment on pending litigation., The lawsuit also claimed that the City of Middletown acted in similar deliberate indifference.. Conner would schedule meetings with Dr. Macris curriculum team without her knowledge, would not invite her to the meetings she normally attended, and would make decisions in which she would otherwise be involved without her input, the complaint reads. The investigation into alleged workplace harassment, Middletown cop, Eli Cannon's co-owner, others set sights on first-ever marathon in Chicago, Prosecutor: Middletown man who attacked police detective with hammer has history of assaults on cops, Vibrant street art near Wesleyan start of ambitious project to honor, preserve Beman Triangle, 5 shark species that live in the Long Island Sound off Connecticut, Ex-Middletown cop gets 10 years for child porn offenses, This iconic Connecticut bridge is one of USPSs newest stamps, Keanu Reeves' band, Dogstar, playing at New Haven's Toad's Place, Your Privacy Choices (Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads). It was simply a friendly reminder based on his recent, poor behavior.. MIDDLETOWN Former Assistant Superintendent Enza Macri has filed a lawsuit against the Board of Education and former Superintendent Michael Conner alleging that the Board of Education and district administration failed to address repeated instances of sexual harassment and "outright sexual assault" by Conner during his tenure with the district. "There's so many things that have been going on here for years and it's always swept under the rug," D'Antonio said. We are extraordinarily lucky to have Ms. Cannata in our district, and now, as our Assistant Superintendent., Board of Education Chair Deborah Chin said Cannata is a well-respected person in the community and certainly someone who teachers and administrators hold in high regard.. Florsheim urged the school board to include parents and others in that work, saying I ask for full transparency and community involvement in the boards next steps for the district.. In early March, the board announced that Conner had resigned, citing his familys safety. Sign up for the FOX61 newsletters:Morning Forecast, Morning Headlines, Evening Headlines. The Board of Education said Conner gave his letter of. Central Office . NBC Connecticut Dr. Michael Conner has suddenly resigned as superintendent of the Middletown school district, according to a spokesperson. Evidence was shared with investigators and the BOE that these false allegations were intentionally fabricated as part of a plan to remove me from the Office of the Superintendent. Board of Education Contracts. People thatwouldnt speak up because theyre afraid to. While I cannot comment on the status of that investigation while it is ongoing, I want to reassure this community, as I have assured all parties involved, that we are taking this matter extremely seriously. Editors note: Hearst Connecticut Media has reached out to Bourne and Gaylord by email and text for reaction to this article. MIDDLETOWN The Board of Education appears to have chosen a successor for outgoing Superintendent William George: Assistant Superintendent Mary Ellen Walker, one of two assistant. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts. We want to hear from you! Cannata holds a Bachelors of Arts in Sociology, a Master of Science degree in Elementary Education, a Masters of Arts in Learning and Thinking, and two administrative endorsements from the Connecticut State Department of Education, the news release states. FOX61 reached out to Conner for comment but has not heard back. RELATED: 'There are not two sides': Southlake teachers reportedly told to offer 'opposing' viewpoint of Holocaust. Gaylord has been on administrative leave from the district as a result of the Board of Education investigation into the complaints brought forward in October. This exodus ultimately puts our students' learning opportunities at risk. 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