Most committee members back school superintendent

01:00 AM EST on Tuesday, December 16, 2003

BY MEGAN MATTEUCCI
Journal Staff Writer


NORTH KINGSTOWN -- The majority of the School Committee members say they support Supt. James M. Halley and have no intention of seeking his removal.

"Halley's job is a difficult job and so is the School Committee's. Someone is always going to be unhappy or disagree with a decision that is made," School Committee Chairman Donald DeFedele said yesterday. "Our job is to do the best job we can -- and we are, and the superintendent is."

The Providence Journal polled the School Committee after a group of parents circulated petitions that called for his firing. Five out of seven School Committee members said they stand behind Halley and believe he's doing a fine job as superintendent.

But the more the School Committee supports the superintendent, the more parents seem to get angered. Some parents are also threatening to vote members off the committee during the next election if nothing is done.

"We are highly skeptical the School Committee will take action and we have no recall in our charter," said Lynda Avanzato, a Stony Lane parent who is heading up the petition drive to remove Halley.

Kathy Brown, a parent of three, said she's collected at least 100 signatures on a petition calling for Halley's removal, citing mismanagement and negligence. Parents said they plan on waiting a few months before submitting the petitions to the School Committee to give people time to review the superintendent's actions.

In Halley's nine-year tenure, the union and district principals have voted no confidence in him, parents have filed petitions and one group even sued him. Community members have criticized Halley for his decisions, including reconfiguration plans, management of the new high school construction, teachers union negotiations and most recently the handling of several roof replacement projects. The roof work resulted in two evacuations from Stony Lane Elementary School that caused several students and faculty to reportedly become ill.

But most School Committee members said the roof problems were unavoidable.

"Unless we put the man up on the roof, there's nothing we can do," said School Committee Vice Chairwoman Denise A. Coppa, a Democrat.

The opposition against Halley has grown, with parents now alleging that Halley has lied and violated orders from state officials, including the state Department of Labor's Division of Occupational Safety and the Governor's Commission on Disabilities.

Even as the opposition grows, the School Committee finds little fault with Halley.

"I have no reason not to support him. There's been nothing that's happened so far to change my mind," said Carol Hueston, a Republican who's been on the committee for about three years -- both terms being appointed.

Kevin D. Mulvey, who's been on the committee for about a year, said he supports Halley. Mulvey, who also was appointed, said he came in with some concerns, but never had any intention of removing the superintendent.

But other committee members -- William C. Mudge, Barry M. Martasian and DeFedele -- all ran on the platform of removing Halley.

Mudge, who had the most votes, is the only one who still opposes Halley. The only independent on the committee, he said he has never supported Halley and continues to be shocked at his disregard for safety, budgets, complying with school policies and his lack of consultation with the School Committee.

"I don't need 500 signatures on a petition; what we need is seven School Committee members that should live up to the voters and not the politics of the town," Mudge said. "This problem is not just about the superintendent of schools, but a School Committee that refuses to do due diligence and carry out [its] responsibilities. As far as I'm concerned, the whole School Committee should be impeached."

Martasian didn't return calls Sunday and yesterday. DeFedele, along with several other committee members, said the group rallying against Halley is a minority in town.

"I feel really saddened that a small group of people with a vendetta are looking for ways to embarrass Dr. Halley. I don't believe the population of the town is up in arms to end this man's career," said Patricia E. Watkins, a Democrat who's been on committee for 13 years. "A group of people worked very hard to get specific people in positions to do what they wanted and it hasn't worked."

Hueston said she's gotten more e-mail in support of Halley than against him, but none of the supporters wish to write letters to the editor or speak out at meetings.

But along with the group of long-time Halley rivals, there are parents who are speaking out for the first time and some of them have legitimate concerns, Mulvey said.

Although their support is clearly behind Halley, three members -- Mulvey, Coppa and Watkins -- all said the superintendent's one flaw is his communication skills.

"We evaluate the superintendent on many levels and so far no one has showed me he fell short, other than his ability to communicate with the community," Coppa said.

Most School Committee members declined to say what it would take for them to seriously consider removing Halley. Most said they would look at the petitions once they come in, but doubt they will have any effect.

"You look at the overall picture of what he has done, and he's the best thing that this community has seen in years," Watkins said. "But with the climate today, I have a feeling someone will blame Jim for the snow storm."