Editorial: Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School trustees must end turmoil quickly

Published: 05-29-2017 9:26 PM

The trustees of the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Public Charter School in South Hadley must act quickly to end the turmoil resulting from a controversy about the performance of school head Scott Goldman that erupted earlier this month.

We hope that a Wellesley law firm hired by the school’s trustees to investigate complaints against Goldman completes its work in early June, and that the trustees by the end of the month deliver a public report either clearing him or announcing any sanctions. Goldman months ago announced his plan to resign from the school on June 30.

Starkly different descriptions of Goldman’s six years leading PVPA have emerged since he asked that grievances and petitions filed against him by staff be discussed publicly rather than behind closed doors at a trustees meeting May 9. Goldman delivered an impassioned nearly 40-minute defense of his handling of the recent incidents involving decisions about whether to rehire an English teacher and grant a one-year leave to another teacher, as well as his demeanor during interactions with staff and students.

Goldman also more broadly defended his management decisions during the past six years, saying that he had addressed substance abuse by faculty, high dropout rates, noncompliance with special education regulations, unethical practices involving student transcripts and the lack of staff evaluations. He characterized the recent complaints as part of a coordinated attack against him “by a few disgruntled staff.”

However, some teachers and parents described a climate of fear and intimidation cultivated by Goldman with his towering presence and raised voice. The Personnel Advisory Board that represents staff issued a statement after the May 9 meeting describing Goldman’s defense as a “barely restrained tirade (that) rehashed and distorted PVPA’s entire history and legacy. … We hope that after witnessing the behavior of our head of school tonight, (trustees) will now fully grasp the risk employees have taken in speaking up, and will act to protect them from a workplace permeated by fear.”

After Goldman was placed on paid administrative leave while trustees investigate the complaints, parents interviewed by the Gazette had varied reactions. One mother from Chicopee described Goldman’s behavior as “very aggressive, very dismissive” after an incident involving one of her children during the 2014-15 school year. Another mother from Chicopee voiced her support for him, suggesting that staff are trying to undermine Goldman’s authority.

The timing of the complaints is curious because when Goldman announced last fall that he would resign at the end of the school year, there was no hint of any concern about his performance. In fact, Geoff Sumi, president of the board of trustees, described him in glowing terms in a statement sent to parents and staff.

“Under Scott’s leadership PVPA’s faithfulness to its charter and mission has been the foundation of its academic success. Furthermore, during Scott’s tenure, PVPA has been transformed: organizationally and financially PVPA is now a more viable entity; and above all we have a new performance space, long in planning and development, that enables us to showcase the varied talents of PVPA’s dedicated teachers and students,” Sumi wrote.

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Also puzzling is the trustees’ decision to hire an outside law firm to investigate the grievances against Goldman, rather than having the school’s regular attorney handle the matter. The nature of the complaints essentially involve administrative decisions made by Goldman, and his personality, and they do not appear to rise to the level of alleged wrongdoing requiring the time and expense of outside investigators.

Goldman was right to ask for a public airing of the matter because his reputation as an educator is at stake. When Goldman announced his intention to leave PVPA, he said he had no specific plans, though he noted that he has worked in high schools for 31 years. That includes four years as principal at Amherst Regional High School, two years as president of the Holyoke Community Charter School and eight years as principal of Smith Academy in Hatfield.

When Goldman left Amherst Regional in 2001, one teacher said, “He has caused a level of controversy at times, but he has been willing to take risks and that has been a refreshing thing.”

Whatever Goldman’s accomplishments at PVPA, they will be clouded by the events of the past few weeks. A speedy resolution to the trustees’ investigation — and a public announcement of its findings — will provide clarity needed by Goldman and any prospective future employers about whether there is a permanent blot on his record as an educator. It will also give the public insight into whether school trustees are using their power responsibly.

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