The Massachusetts Inspector General Gregory Sullivan was a guest at today's Board of Elementary and Secondary Education meeting in Malden. The Board was again discussing the events leading to the granting of a charter for the proposed Gloucester Community Arts Charter School. In addition to Secretary Paul Reville's email, which in crystal clear language lays out the political reasons for granting the charter despite the weakness of the application, serious questions have been raised (some of which are discussed here) regarding how a state agency entrusted by the Legislature with authority to spend several million dollars to open new schools carried out their responsibilities - that is why the Inspector General is now involved.
Inspector General Sullivan stated that he was attending the meeting because it was his understanding the full Board was not aware of the investigation. This was confirmed during the discussion: at Monday night's special Board meeting to discuss the Gloucester charter, Chair Maura Banta was aware of the investigation, but not all Board members had been informed.
In response to questioning, Sullivan recommended that the Board not make any decisions regarding the charter at this time. Board member Kaplan moved to table discussion for a month pending completion of the investigation. She and board member Chernow were the only two who voted to suspened the BESE discussion.
Chair Banta and other Board members cited "Gloucester's need for closure", in stark contrast to the testimony delivered by several Gloucester community members who indicated their willingness to continue the challenges to the manner in which this charter was granted. The Board then voted 8-2 not to revoke the charter.
