***Please see the "UPDATE" link for the latest information on the petition submission to the School Committee. 

Our original petition form was unexpectedly taken down after receiving 100s of signatures in less than 24 hours, so we’ve relaunched it here to ensure continued access.

If you previously signed, please take a moment to sign again so your support is counted.

About This Petition
This petition was created by a group of Lexington parents and community members concerned about transparency, accountability, student safety, and district leadership.

How It Will Be Used
All signatures from verified Lexington residents will be compiled and formally presented to the School Committee. The goal is to ensure community concerns are clearly documented and considered as part of public discussion and decision-making. 

-Names will not be given to the School Committee in light of the recent hate mail received by residents who have spoken out. 

Petition to Remove Superintendent Julie Hackett for Cause

We, the undersigned residents of Lexington, call on the School Committee to remove Superintendent Julie Hackett for cause due to a clear and ongoing pattern of decisions and leadership concerns that have undermined transparency, accountability, and public trust. Effective leadership requires both ownership of outcomes and consistent enforcement of standards. Many in the community believe that standards are no longer being met.

Key concerns include:

1.  Lack of Transparency in Critical Decisions  Concerns have been raised regarding the timing and disclosure of information related to significant decisions, including staffing reductions in relation to the $660 million high school project, limiting the public’s ability to make fully informed decisions.

2.  Escalating Staffing Reductions and Inconsistent Communication  A pattern of shifting and increasing staff reduction figures, from early projections in Fall 2025, to approximately 14.5 FTE in January 2026, to 65 FTE in March, and approximately 72 FTE by early April, impacting close to 200 teachers.  This raises concerns about planning, communication, and fiscal oversight.

3.  Questionable Use of District Resources Spending on Central Office events, retreats, and hotel stays in close proximity to Lexington has raised concerns among residents about prioritization and stewardship of taxpayer funds.

4.  Concerns Regarding Transparency and Public Records Access Inflated public records fees and limited disclosure of information have made it difficult for families and residents to access information of public interest. (See Boston Globe reporting.)

5.  Academic Concerns  Continued investment in Units of Study—an ELA curriculum that has been widely discredited for years—resulted in an additional $338,000 in spending despite clear evidence of its ineffectiveness. At the same time, 25% of Lexington students, and nearly 70% of students with disabilities, are not proficient in ELA. Additionally, 21% of students and 65% of students with disabilities are not meeting grade-level proficiency in math. 

6.  Student Safety Concerns  Recent incidents involving harassment, threats, and antisemitic behavior within the district have raised serious concerns among families about whether student safety issues are being consistently addressed with appropriate urgency and transparency.

7. Concerns Regarding Community Engagement and Trust Parents and community members report limited opportunities for meaningful dialogue and feel dissenting voices are not adequately heard. Reports that private social media activity has been monitored, with outreach from the Superintendent following criticism of district decisions, have raised concerns about retaliation and a chilling effect on open engagement.

This pattern reflects a broader breakdown in leadership, oversight, and accountability to both students and taxpayers. Effective leadership requires transparency, integrity, and sound judgment. Restoring trust in Lexington Public Schools requires immediate and decisive action.

We further note that termination for cause, under the Superintendent’s contract, may avoid additional financial burden on taxpayers.