Update - January 2025
We need the School Committee to take swift and decisive action to formally terminate Michael Baldassarre
The Uxbridge Public Schools Superintendent was arrested for drunk driving on January 18th at 2:40am. He was pulled over after nearly hitting another vehicle going 100mph on 495 in Bolton as he swerved across lanes after binge drinking at a bar in Worcester. This action nearly caused an accident and could have ended the lives of innocent people. The State Police officer cited that Baldassarre was extremely uncooperative with the requests and directions of the officers. Many residents have expressed concerns regarding his erratic, unusual, unethical and unprofessional behavior for nearly 2 years.
WHDH Video Report of Baldassarre Arrest
T&G Article Baldassarre Drunk Driving Arrest
The Uxbridge School Committee voted to put Baldassarre on administrative leave (paid) and named Dr. Karen Dwyer as Assistant Superintendent. The School Committee will consult with legal counsel and reconvene next week. This meeting will be Tuesday January 28th at 6pm at Uxbridge High School.
In addition, our district is facing some potential budget cuts including teachers, paraprofessionals and the middle school sports program. We should not be paying a salary for a Superintendent (yearly salary of ~$172,000) while he is suspended after his arrest. We need the School Committee to take swift and decisive action to formally terminate Michael Baldassarre and not pay him to stay home for several months. This funding could be used to educate our students and save positions.
We wish nothing but the best for Dr. Baldassarre in the future as he deals with the impact of his choices, but believe the harm he has done in our town and district needs to end. He is a liability and a poor role model for our students and staff. Our district needs to move on to a more positive future that is focused on our students.
Please consider signing this petition and emailing the Uxbridge School Committee with your concerns. Your voice matters!
Benjamin Casper, Chair: bcasper@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
David Shinnick, Vice-Chair: dshinnick@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Christine Pezzullo, Secretary: cpezzullo@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Barry Desruisseaux, Member: bdesruisseaux@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Matthew Kling, Member: mkling@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Jessica Mandile, Member: jmandile@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Brian Butler, Member: bbutler@uxbridge.k12.ma.us
Stay tuned for more information on our advocacy efforts in the coming days.