The parents of Barnstable Public Students respectfully request the Barnstable School Committee convene an extraordinary meeting as soon as possible to reinstate Mr Patrick Clark to his position of Principal, Barnstable High School.  

We understand that matters of employment with the district for certain positions is the domain of the office of the Superintendent but as parents, we believe the School Committee is ultimately accountable for any diminished confidence that parents have in the Office of the Superintendent.

We acknowledge that we are in an extraordinary time but that requires even greater collaboration between the School Committee, Superintendent, the Principal and their staff. We believe that the timing of placing the Principal on Administrative leave at such a critical moment for students greatly impacted by Covid shutdown of ‘normal’ schooling, at best shows complete lack of empathy and care for the students within the school district. At worst, it uses students as pawns in some kind of political positioning of which we have little patience.

We believe students deserve more from their Superintendent after such a disruptive year. For the majority of parents to find out by rumor on the Friday and for it to be confirmed after students arrived in school on the Monday shows a complete lack of empathy in keeping parents aware of critical matters that affect our children’s schooling. That level and style of communication is unacceptable from a senior role within the Town commanding such a high salary.

The Principals role isn’t a minor role within the school; it’s the role that defines the school and to mention in passing as a 2nd bullet point in an email suggests parents are deemed not worthy by the Superintendent to know of serious matters that effect our students schooling, confidence and security during unprecedented times. Health protocols are important but more important is that parents know they are sending their children into a school with clear leadership and accountabilities.

The leadership by the Superintendent in this matter demonstrates a serious lack of empathy towards collaboration and community which are pillars of the values of the school district. If students and parents cannot see those values lived everyday by the Superintendent then our confidence in the Superintendent’s leadership is further diminished.

We acknowledge every district has it challenges adapting to a hybrid schedule but we also hold the Superintendent ultimately accountable for the situation and believe they have been focused on matters around mascots, health protocols before scheduling and the priorities within the whole district was clearly communicated by her in August so they need to hold themselves accountable rather than deflect to BPS staff. Any scheduling issues remain the responsibility of the Superintendent, including the lack of teaching staff available to complete the scheduling. We believe that the Superintendent needs to show leadership and hold herself accountable for the performance of the schools in her charge in return for the $230,000 a year they receive as compensation for executing the role of Superintendent of Barnstable Schools. We demand accountability in the use of our Town Taxes from the Superintendent and the School Committee.

We would like to draw attention to established policies within the State of Massachusetts that requires the Superintendent to to establish a representative screening committee for positions such as a Principal of a school in their charge. We understand the administrator has the final say in determining who will be hired but it is expected that the screening committee's input will be a factor in the decision. We would like to be informed of who will be part of the screening committee and request parents are invited to participate being representative of the town Tax Payers and student interests. Please inform us of this expected process.

We would like to remind the School Committee of section 12.2 of the Superintendents employment contract. It’s our assertion that the Superintendent has not acted with competence or efficiency around the placing of the Principal on administrative leave both in terms of causing a material distraction to our children’s focus after months of forced disruption (the timing was truly incomprehensible) and incompetence in terms of communicating clearly and with confidence to the students and parents of the school. This has been a PR disaster for the District and the School Committee.

As an elected School Committee, you have a duty to listen to the community that voted you into your membership of the School Committee. We demand that you take the appropriate action allowed by state legislature to address the lack of confidence that parents have in the Superintendent of Barnstable Schools and demand you address her efficiency and competence in this matter at her next performance review in November 2020.

Therefore, we demand that you reinstate Principal Clark immediately to bring leadership, security and in a non political environment for our children to thrive after such a disruptive time to their education. This disruption has gone on long enough.

Parents of Students of Barnstable High School