REQUESTING A VOTE OF NO CONFIDENCE FOR THE SUPERINTENDENT OF THE HAMILTON-WENHAM REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT

To: Hamilton-Wenham School Committee and Town Managers,

We, the undersigned Parents of children who are attending or have attended Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District, and community members who share similar concerns, have composed this letter to express our dissatisfaction with the current superintendent, Ms. Mary Beth Banios.

Based on the Superintendent’s Contract, the School Committee may dismiss the Superintendent during the term of the Agreement for the following reasons that include but are not limited to: inefficiency, incompetence, incapacity, conduct unbecoming a Superintendent, insubordination, or other good cause. “Good Cause” shall mean grounds put forth by the employer which are not arbitrary or irrelevant to the task of maintaining an efficient school system.

It is the petitioners’ position that the Superintendent has acted inefficiently, incompetently, and with conduct unbecoming of a Superintendent.

Based on the performance and behavior of Superintendent Mary Beth Banios, we, the undersigned, are asking for a “Vote of No Confidence” in Ms. Banios and her ability to successfully oversee the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District, inclusive of being financially responsible to the communities she serves.  We understand the severity of this decision and did not arrive at it hastily, especially in light of being amidst a pandemic.  However, the present and long term consequences for this school district with Ms. Banios remaining in her position are dire.   

Hamilton-Wenham has always been a district to be proud of, one where decisions are made collaboratively with the best interest of our students in mind. In addition, we’ve been fortunate that the Hamilton-Wenham schools have experienced great vision from school principals and teachers who are empowered to act upon that vision.

However, since the beginning of her position in the district,  there has been growing concern with Ms. Banios’ competency in her leadership role, specifically regarding trust, collaboration, decision making, development and execution of plans, strategic vision, communication and respect-- or lack thereof-- for parents and staff.  

A school system cannot be run successfully with a one-way avenue of communication, nor without the input of those the system is serving.  Her lack of transparency creates distrust in her decisions as well as her intentions.  The undersigned feel she is making many decisions on her own and with little community input, and she has displayed an ongoing lack of respect toward many of the parents who have involved themselves in our public educational system.

Even when input is sought, it’s usually due to a reactive decision made by Ms. Banios and there is a failure to follow through or a total disregard for the ideas of many; when communication occurs, it is too often delayed, incomplete, riddled with errors and causes more questions and confusion.

Ms. Banios has exhibited lack of attention to, preparation for, and appropriate prioritizing of the requirements and interests of our entire student body, as well as failed to recognize and respect the expertise of the educational professionals within the district. 

We have seen continued requests for an increase in central office staffing and public relations firm assistance, which is an obvious indicator of poor leadership and total disregard for talent within the staff of our district.  She has attempted to pass through the Committee applications and information that has been falsified to their veracity as to what is required by the state educational agency to obtain state funds.  

Community wide morale is low; there is no confidence in Ms. Banios’ abilities as a leader nor are we confident she can provide a strategic vision for the Hamilton-Wenham educational system, during this ongoing pandemic and into the future.

For these reasons stated, we the undersigned; concerned citizens of Hamilton-Wenham and members of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District are voting “No Confidence” in  Ms. Banios and now call on our elected representatives on the School Committee to support our petition, and begin the process to remove Ms. Mary Beth Banios from her position as Superintendent for Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District as per section 8 paragraph 3 of the Superintendent’s Contract, detailed at the beginning of this petition.

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ATTACHMENT

Specifics relevant to Good Cause for dismissal of Superintendent.

Inefficiency.  Ms. Banios’ unwillingness to seek, develop or collaborate on any alternate plans that would be based on scientific findings about the pandemic for school re-entry and in the best interest of the students.  She has solely relied on vaccination development and distribution.

Conduct unbecoming a superintendent and Incompetence. Ms. Banios sought to have the School Committee certify a ‘plan’ indicating that she engaged stakeholders as specified by the law, when in fact she openly admitted she has not done so.  In addition, this ‘plan’ was past the deadline to submit.

Ms. Banios solicited information from the local Boards of Health information regarding guidance for pool testing.  She neglected to share it in a timely manner to the School Committee on the evening the vote was to occur.  

Ms. Banios has committed to being at committee meetings and then been a no-show for the Budget and Finance Committee in particular at times when the budget is in process of proposal and review.

Ms. Banios frequently fails to return parent emails or phone calls. A total disregard for the community in which she serves.

Ms. Banios has at her disposal a multitude of professionals both from within Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District, and the community at large, that she fails to communicate or connect with for the betterment of our students. This lack of using the community to help the community shows lack of ability to plan and work with those around her.

This unprofessional behavior is not how Hamilton-Wenham should be represented in the highest educational position and clearly demonstrates conduct unbecoming of a Superintendent.

From our own Mission of the Hamilton-Wenham Regional School District.  It is our mission to educate children to become young adults who are good character and demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills needed to be successful.  We seek to have them: Demonstrate Character, Exhibit Resilience, Communicate and Collaborate, Problem Solve and Think Critically and Lead Locally and Globally. We should expect nothing less from the Superintendent; the leader of our schools.