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4 <br /> Board of Selectmen <br /> Minutes <br /> January 11,2015 <br /> ADDITIONAL TOPICS: <br /> Discussion relative to the Suoerintendent—Investigative Report: (continued) <br /> Selectman Gottlieb asked as to when counsel advised the report could not be released. In response Mr. <br /> McGee stated he has been in close contact with legal counsel since October 1,2015. Mr. McGee <br /> added the School attorney has 35 plus years of legal experience and the attorney has conveyed at all <br /> times the report cannot be released to the public until the criminal action is settled. It was noted the <br /> non-release of the report will protect the employee with regards to his ability to win the case,and it <br /> would protect the Town and School Department from potential litigation. <br /> Selectman Gottlieb disclosed the incident regarding the appropriateness of the school employee <br /> occurred in September. Since this time,the School Committee has not seen the document, a report <br /> relevant to the conduct of their employee. Mr. McGee responded by stating he was in receipt of the <br /> report last Tuesday,but did not have ample time to make copies of the document. Mr. McGee <br /> indicated the School Committee is scheduled to meet in eight days and there is also another layer of <br /> concern with respect to student privacy. There are some items contained in the report which are <br /> required to be redacted. <br /> Rodney Collins,Town Manager indicated that it is critical for the Town and School to maintain public <br /> trust and that is through transparency. The delays in the process have been attributed to various issues <br /> and setbacks. Mr. Collins indicated he understands the frustration from the public,and he is trying to <br /> put into perspective some of the causes for the delays,but they do not appear to make sense and may <br /> be perceived as an excuse express. <br /> Since the School Committee has voted and paid for the independent investigation Chairman Cahalane <br /> recommended Mr. McGee consult legal counsel regarding the distribution of the report to the School <br /> Committee prior to their attendance at a meeting. <br /> In closing, Selectman Gottlieb strongly recommended the School Committee hold an emergency <br /> meeting to place the report in the hands of the School Committee to allow the committee to review any <br /> concerns and to make an informed group decision,not waiting eight more days. Selectman Gottlieb <br /> indicated the Superintendent of Schools is currently on paid administrative leave, and this represents a <br /> form of crisis for the School Department. A report of this nature cannot be handed out without the <br /> opportunity for the School Committee to read it and to digest it prior to a meeting. <br />