KATE DEPRIZIO

SC member

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Kate DePrizio “reluctantly” stepped down as School Committee chair on Sept. 19.

DePrizio recently accused School Committee member Jamie Hayman of violating the board’s “ethical standards” by trying to seek “preferential treatment” for his children. She did not present any evidence or reveal what incidents prompted her to email the letter to Hayman and read it into the public record during the school board’s Sept. 11 meeting.

Additionally, DePrizio alleged that Hayman “threatened” her and her children, and called her an expletive during a phone conversation before the Sept. 11 meeting. She also alleged that Hayman said he would “ruin my reputation in this town and I should watch my back” during the call. She filed a police report about the alleged incident.

Police Chief Nick Secatore conducted an investigation that included listening to an audio recording of Hayman’s side of the conversation.

“I listened to the recording he provided, which is nine minutes and 42 seconds,” the report states. “Throughout the conversation, Jamie states that if his integrity is called into question that he will vigorously defend himself, states he will retain counsel and take legal action against the committee if necessary, take legal action for (libel) and action against Kate personally. I did not hear threats that are of a criminal nature, or Jamie mention her family. Jamie does not call her a (expletive) or mention safety. This report has been deemed a civil issue and is closed.”

DePrizio stated in a letter sent to her four colleagues that she also posted on her School Committee Facebook page that she decided to “reluctantly step down as chair of the committee for the benefit of our constituents.” She wrote that she decided to “immediately” step down as the School Committee’s chair in order to “calm the situation.”

“I will remain on the School Committee and, as a committee member, I will continue to focus my efforts on rebuilding the trust and inspiring our staff and students toward excellence,” DePrizio wrote.  “I will continue to prioritize every student, every day, in every possible way as I have always done. I will continue to hold myself and my fellow committee members to the highest standards of excellence.”

DePrizio also stated in the letter that it’s her “intention to hold responsible all individuals who have led us to this moment and to this unnecessary escalation.”

“We must always resist efforts to steer us away from the primary duty of this committee,” DePrizio wrote. “I remain the public’s humble and devoted representative.”

DePrizio, who was re-elected to a second three-year term in the April Town Election, was appointed as the School Committee’s chair in early January.

“Representing our district as chair has been an absolute honor and privilege of my life,” DePrizio wrote. “I have taken great pride and found incredible joy in my work, and in my collaboration with the town administration, town committees, town groups and Superintendent (Tom) Geary. I cherish the opportunities that I have had to engage with our wonderful staff, and the opportunities to engage, in meaningful ways, with our amazing students. I am proud of all the improvements that I have helped come to fruition, collaboratively, in my time as chair. While we as a committee have faced many challenges, I believe we have always tried to place the interests of our students, teachers, staff, families and community first in all of our decisions and actions. These constituents and their interests have been our guiding light.”

DePrizio also defended how she handled the accusations that she made against Hayman on Sept. 11.

“Unfortunately, instead of the focus remaining on the issues raised at that meeting, I have become the focus of discussions,” stated DePrizio.

A large number of residents have called for DePrizio’s resignation on social media. A resident also reached out to the Town Clerk’s Office about initiating a recall effort against her.

The School Committee reorganized during its Tuesday, Sept. 24 meeting, taking place after deadline.