Parents Petition for Superintendent Ouster at School Committee Meeting

A group of parents concerned about recent controversies at the Peter Noyes Elementary School has presented the Sudbury Public Schools Committee with a petition declaring "No Confidence" in Superintendent Dr. Anne Wilson.

"To date, 130 residents of Sudbury have signed this petition," said Christine Hogan, the mother of two children in the first-grade class in question. She said she started the petition drive on Monday night and quickly amassed dozens of signatures in 48 hours, as well as the support of people who she said indicated they were afraid to sign but were in favor of Wilson's dismissal. "Dr. Wilson is not up to the task."

Parents of students in Janice Donahue's first-grade class at Noyes complained that they were not notified properly when Donahue's employment abruptly terminated in early May. The dismissal followed a complaint by another teacher that Donahue broke up a fight between two young boys improperly. Donahue has been defended at length by parents and former students who say that any suggestion that the petite 67-year-old with a good reputation purposely assaulted a student is preposterous.

Her husband, Jim, attended Wednesday night's meeting but did not speak to the Committee or to the press.

"As you know if you attended the last few meetings, we are not at liberty to discuss personnel issues," said Committee Chair Richard Robison, who reminded the crowd to address comments to him and not to Wilson.

"I know that these children's education have been disturbed by this," said Molly Gilmartin, the parent of a child in Room 15, regarding Donahue's unplanned departure shortly before the end of the school year. Other parents said their children experienced a loss of interest in school, episodes of crying and fighting, belly aches and refusal to get out of the car to go to school, during the confusion that followed Donahue's departure. "Now we don't have to read or write anymore," one child was reported to have said.

"There was a lack of compassion for students, a lack of compassion for parents and I am particulary concerned about the lack of compassion for Mrs. Donahue.  This is a woman who has given 27 years of service to Sudbury, and it was just thrown away.  Her life and reputation were just ruined, in a second," said Paul Hogan. His description of a ballet recital that Donahue was advised not to attend due to a perceived legal risk of contact with former students sparked tears from several members of the crowd.

"It's not too late to give this teacher back her reputation," Hogan urged.

Superintendent Wilson sat quietly during the meeting and took occasional notes, but did not comment about the "No Confidence" petition. Wilson joined Sudbury Public Schools last year, previously working as an assistant superintendent for human resources in Brookline.