Pittsfield Council Sets Special Meeting Amid PHS Staff Scandal

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council will vote on a statement in solitary with the School Committee amid Pittsfield High School's staff scandal.

Over the last week and a half, three PHS staff members were put on administrative leave for allegations of misconduct — one of them under federal arrest for drug charges.  A special City Council meeting has been called on Monday at 6 p.m. to support, or not support, the School Committee’s request for an independent, third-party investigation.

A petition put forward by Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre, Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso, Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto, Councilor at Large Alisa Costa, and Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi on Dec. 19 requests the following statement be sent to Mayor Peter Marchetti:

"The City Council joins the school committee on its call for an investigation into the allegations against city employees as it pertains to recent personnel actions surrounding Pittsfield High School. Further, the City Council requests to be included in the delivery of any disclosures, interim reports, or findings submitted to the City as part of this investigation. As the voice of the public, the City plays a role in protecting the rights and safety of all residents, as well as city employees."

In an email, Lampiasi wrote to iBerkshires that the allegations being addressed by the School Committee strike at the core of our community’s trust and safety and that the gravity is too serious for the City Council to remain silent or passive.

"It is essential for Pittsfield’s leaders to stand united in rooting out misconduct within our schools and addressing the systemic failures that may have allowed such behavior to occur or persist," she wrote.

"This is about protecting our children and fulfilling a responsibility to support residents while safeguarding the well-being and integrity of our entire community."

On Dec. 11, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine. Two days later, a second staff member was put on administrative leave because of an investigation conducted by the state Department of Children and Families.