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Statement of Matthew Malone

The Superintendent of Fall River Public Schools responds to news that the City Council will vote "no confidence" in him. He states that while he respects the Council, their action is a distraction from addressing COVID-19. Under Massachusetts law, oversight of schools is solely the responsibility of the elected School Committee. The School Committee recently investigated allegations against the Superintendent and disciplined him for inappropriate language and behavior toward subordinates. He acknowledges his faults and is committed to improving. The Superintendent focuses on the important work being done in Fall River schools and will not resign, instead inviting the City Council to support improving the school system.

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3K views1 page

Statement of Matthew Malone

The Superintendent of Fall River Public Schools responds to news that the City Council will vote "no confidence" in him. He states that while he respects the Council, their action is a distraction from addressing COVID-19. Under Massachusetts law, oversight of schools is solely the responsibility of the elected School Committee. The School Committee recently investigated allegations against the Superintendent and disciplined him for inappropriate language and behavior toward subordinates. He acknowledges his faults and is committed to improving. The Superintendent focuses on the important work being done in Fall River schools and will not resign, instead inviting the City Council to support improving the school system.

Uploaded by

NBC 10 WJAR
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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STATEMENT OF MATTHEW H. MALONE, PH.D., SUPERINTENDENT OF FALL RIVER PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2.23.

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I understand the leadership of the Fall River City Council will take action on a resolution to vote “no confidence” in me as
the Superintendent of Schools tonight at their upcoming meeting. Although I respect the role of the City Council and the
elected members of the Council, I am disappointed in this action as it is a distraction from the important work we are doing
to lead through the COVID-19 pandemic and provide exceptional learning opportunities for the children in this great city. In
Massachusetts, the education of students in our public schools is solely vested to the elected School Committee which
functions as one whole governance body using the democratic model of majority vote to make decisions and set policy. It is
the School Committee, and only the School Committee, who have the authority to hire and terminate the Superintendent
of Schools under MGL Ch71, Sec 37. I work directly for the School Committee and they alone are the body responsible for
my employment, my evaluation, and any determination of confidence in me as Superintendent.

The School Committee of the Fall River Public Schools conducted an in-depth investigation into several allegations of
complaint regarding my behavior in August 2020. The School Committee thoroughly vetted ALL complaints and made a final
determination of fact. The School Committee disciplined me per their authority under statute and I deserved the discipline I
received. The investigation found no finding of ageism, sexism, or harassment, but did find me at fault for using course
language and behaving in a blunt manner towards subordinates. The School Committee voted 4-2 to impose appropriately
severe discipline on me based on my behavior and the finding of the investigation. I regret my behavior and the poor
leadership I displayed during the summer of 2020; I am embarrassed by my actions and I have apologized. I have also
acknowledged that I must change my style and therefore, I have committed to the work of being less forceful, less
aggressive, and more sensitive to the feelings of others in my interactions. I own my behavior and my faults and I am sorry
that my passion and intensity crossed the line of acceptable, professional, and winning workplace behavior. I am being held
accountable not only by the School Committee but also by my colleagues, my employees, the families that we serve, and by
my own inner compass; I will be a better person and a better leader. I will not comment any further on the specific
allegations or the results of the investigation and I ask future detailed questions to be addressed to the School Committee.

Last night I presented the FY22 budget to the School Committee and called attention to the good work we have been doing
in Fall River, including 5 years of relentless focus on special education programming, English language learners, and closing
achievement gaps for economically disadvantaged students; 5 years of focusing on school turn-around and building
successful community/state partnerships to steer performance; 5 years of instructional improvements in academics and
social emotional supports; 5 years of robust investments in technology and capital upgrades; 5 years without handing out
any “pink slips”; 5 years without a single labor grievance reaching the School Committee for determination; and 5 years of
building the largest and most cutting-edge public high school in Massachusetts. These accomplishments coupled with our
relentless work leading through the 12 months of the COVID-19 Pandemic and keeping schools open for students is where
my focus is and will remain. No, I am not resigning. I have important work to lead under the governance of the School
Committee and I invite the Fall River City Council members to join us in building the best urban school system in
Massachusetts and delivering on the promise for a better future in Fall River.

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