School Committee Members Respond to Boone’s Handling of Child Porn Arrests

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Thursday, October 01, 2015

Patrick Sargent, GoLocalWorcester Reporter

Last week, Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone addressed the arrests of two WPS employees on multiple charges of possession of child pornography in two separate incidents. 

GoLocalWorcester first reported that in two separate memos alerting school administration and Worcester’s school committee to the arrests, Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone wrote in similar fashion that the arrests had yet to be reported by media and the administration hoped media wouldn’t report on them.

"The public would have benefited from timely reporting as to these incidents. The WPS would have benefited as well, as it would have been able to explain what took place, and the precautions it utilizes in the hiring and screening processes," said School Committee member Brian O'Connell. "When it addresses these developments in a prompt, forthright,thorough, public and transparent way, responsively to the media, it builds trust and respect."

School Committee member and GoLocalWorcester MINDSETTER™ John Monfredo added, "It would benefit the school system to address these arrests publicly with the understanding that as a system of over 3,000 employees and everyone passing a Cori that sometimes we have employees fall between the cracks but we are swiftly dealing with the situation when in occurs.  This happens in all walks of life in our community."

Dr. Boone's Statement

Earlier this month, it was revealed by GoLocal that a Worcester Public School cafeteria worker was arrested in early September on charges of possession of child pornography.

One week ago, it was discovered that a second WPS employee - a bus driver for children with special needs - was arrested on two counts of possession of child pornography in late July.

In her released statement in response to the media's reports of these arrests, Dr. Boone wrote:"The Worcester Public Schools is aware of certain media reports that have indicated that two Worcester Public Schools employees have been arrested in connection with possession of child pornography charges...To be clear, the Worcester Public Schools take issues of student safety very seriously and ensuring the safety of students while at school is the most important function carried out by District staff...The Worcester Public Schools cannot comment on personnel matters involving current or former employees or with regard to reported arrests of employees."

Boone went on to mention that is the policy of WPS to use all available resources, including CORI checks, during the hiring process. According to Boone, the administration is " not aware of any ongoing criminal investigation involving the potential involvement of Worcester Public School students as victims of any criminal activity."

According to O'Connell, the School Committee has yet to learn any details regarding WPS' internal investigation into the arrrests. O'Connell said, "All that the School Committee has learned is set forth in the memoranda from the Superintendent, and in the detailed coverage, by (GoLocalWorcester) and other representatives of the media, into the judicial processes following from the arrests."

School Committee Candidate Calls for Firing of Boone

"I have no problem having the administration address these issues publicly for it shows the transparency within our system.  Having said that, perception is everything and so many times the media sensationalizes the negative and does very little to address the positive programs and students that everyday are doing great things. Thus, a wrong image is portrayed about our school system," said Monfredo.

That negative perception has triggered a unique response from a school committee candidate. 

Coming on the heels of Dr. Boone's released statement, school committee candidate Cotey Collins released his own statement along with a petition calling for the removal of Dr. Boone as superintendent. Collins, who has been extremely vocal with his disapproval of Boone's term as superintendent, said in his statement, " "Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Boone's deliberate actions to conceal information from the public proves that she has no interest in keeping the public informed of what happens in and out of our public schools. Dr. Boone has attempted to conceal information regarding two public school employees sexual misconducts. Also, since day one of this school year incidents drastically increased jeopardizing the safety of our children. Dr. Boone has kept our children's safety a low priority." 

Collins called for Dr. Boone to step down as superintendent in the "best interests of the city of Worcester and for the Worcester Public Schools."

Related Articles

• Superintendent Boone Addresses Child Pornography Arrests of Worcester School Employees
• Worcester School Bus Driver Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
• Worcester Public School Employee Arrested on Child Pornography Charges
• 25-Year-Old North Brookfield Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges
• 22-Year-Old Man Arrested on Child Porn Charges in Worcester
• Is Boone’s Action Plan for North High Still in Play?
• Worcester Police Still Waiting On Boone to Link Cameras at North High
• Worcester Public Schools to Station WPD Officers at North High
• North High Parents Action Plan Meeting Tonight, Media Not Invited
• More Problems at North High: Vice Principal Assaulted Trying to Break Up Fight
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• Outspoken North High Teacher Transferred Amid Controversy
• Worcester’s North High Welcomes Back ‘Scolars’
• NEW: Superintendent Boone Updates Action Plan Progress at North High
• North High Principal’s Email Not on School Committee Meeting Agenda
• North High Principal Sends Email to Staff Aligning Teacher with “Racist”
• Was North High Principal’s Email Approved by Boone Before Being Sent?
• Two Students Arrested, Still No Police Cameras at North High

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