PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A third Pittsfield High School staff member has been put on administrative leave — the second one to be investigated by the Department of Children and Families.
In a Thursday communication to the Pittsfield Public Schools community, Superintendent Joseph Curtis said allegations related to the staff member's time at a previous employer, not at PHS. Former Principal Henry Duval has been called in to support the administrative staff during this time.
"The School Committee and I realize how difficult the past week has been for our community," the superintendent wrote.
Last week, PHS Dean Lavante Wiggins was arrested and charged by the U.S. Attorney's Office for allegedly conspiring to traffic large quantities of cocaine. On Friday, a second staff member was put on administrative leave because of an investigation conducted by the state Department of Children and Families.
The second staff member put on leave was not named and their title was not revealed by the district, though they have been widely reported to be the assistant principal. The substance of the investigation also was not disclosed. Thursday's communication did not disclose either the third staff member's name or the nature of the investigation as well.
Additionally, in a civil lawsuit, a PHS student has accused retired English teacher Robert Barsanti of making inappropriate comments to her and to classmates and Pittsfield Public Schools for failing to act. Barsanti apparently retired at the end of the last school year based on a post on the Pittsfield Public Schools' Facebook page.
The lawsuit, first reported by The Berkshire Eagle, was filed in September in U.S. District Court in Springfield.
"In the cases that have emerged over the past week, the school district is cooperating fully with the law enforcement and legal agencies that are taking the lead on these matters. In the case of charges brought against one employee, the FBI and U.S. Attorney's office are handling the investigation," Curtis wrote.
"In the other cases, no charges have been filed, but the Department of Children and Families is working with the State Police to investigate allegations, as required by law. In the three cases, the school district cannot provide any additional information to the public while investigations are ongoing. The employees who are the subjects of these investigations have been placed on administrative leave."
During Wednesday's School Committee meeting, Chair William Cameron recommended that a third-party law firm be brought on board to investigate the administrative response to the alleged misconduct.
Curtis seconded this.
"I am recommending to the School Committee that they engage the services of an independent third party — one with which we have no prior affiliation — to conduct comprehensive investigations and audits of these allegations, and to conduct a thorough examination of our current hiring practices and procedures to ensure that they align with the highest standards of safety, integrity, and accountability," he wrote.
A special City Council meeting has been called on Monday at 6 p.m. to hear a petition from Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso, Councilor at Large Alisa Costa, Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto, Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi, and Ward 7 Councilor Rhonda Serre requesting the council joins the School Committee's call for an investigation.
On Wednesday, Mayor Peter Marchetti acknowledged that the school community is hurting, afraid, and in need of help. He pledged to take care of them now and, when the investigation comes back, take action to hold people accountable.
Curtis said the school is taking steps to ensure that PHS continues to operate smoothly with no disruptions to teaching and learning while ensuring that students and staff receive the support they need.
He has recruited Duval to return full-time until further notice to support the administrative team.
"Mr. Duval's years of experience and deep knowledge of the school will help maintain a positive culture and climate focused on academic excellence," Curtis wrote. "Assistant Superintendent Bishop will continue to work out of the high school, rather than the central office, in order to be on site for additional support. I will continue to be on site whenever possible."
The school has also provided additional support staff to offer counseling and other services to students and adults struggling with recent developments.
"Above all, we remain committed to addressing these matters with the seriousness they deserve," Curtis wrote. "We ask for your continued patience while the allegations are investigated thoroughly, respecting the privacy of those involved."
Last week, CEO of the Berkshire Family YMCA Christian Bianchi reported via Facebook that "There have been recent posts and serious accusations about the BFYMCA and staff. At this time, we have put some staff on administrative leave pending investigation with the proper authorities."
He said the BFYMCA will be going through its own internal process and all claims are taken seriously.
"The safety of the children in our programs and in our building are of the utmost importance to all the staff of the BFYMCA," he wrote.
The Berkshire Eagle has named both PHS employees and a former PHS employee as the three placed on leave:
"A week ago, vice principal Alison Shepard and former teacher Taverick 'Tank' Roberson were placed on administrative leave pending an investigation. Roberson is on leave from the Berkshire Family YMCA, where he was hired as program coordinator in August," The Eagle wrote on Thursday, and that it "learned that Dean of students Molly West, one of two deans at the school, was placed on leave Thursday."
