News Summary
Patricia Royal has resigned from her position as Superintendent of the Pawtucket School Department after a tumultuous period marked by a lawsuit alleging racial discrimination. Royal’s resignation follows a three-month leave due to health concerns and workplace anxiety, during which an acting superintendent was appointed. Her allegations against city officials highlight systemic discrimination and challenges faced by minority leaders. As the community grapples with these issues, attention turns to the future leadership of the school district under Acting Superintendent Buck.
Pawtucket – Patricia Royal announced her resignation from the role of Superintendent of the Pawtucket School Department on Tuesday, marking a significant and contentious chapter in her tenure. This decision follows a three-month leave she took after filing a lawsuit against city officials, including Pawtucket Mayor Don Grebien and members of the school committee, alleging racial discrimination and other grievances.
In her resignation letter, Royal conveyed feelings of being unwelcome, stating that her return was no longer feasible. She articulated that her time in the superintendent position was “marred by events that irrevocably damaged my well-being.” Following her leave of absence, the Pawtucket School Committee appointed an acting superintendent in late February without releasing details regarding the reasons behind Royal’s leave.
Royal’s lawsuit accuses city officials of unlawfully removing her from her position and indicates that she experienced recurring racist comments during her nearly two-year stint. Compounding these grievances, she described feeling “set up to fail” while being undermined and sabotaged by some members of the administration. Royal pointed out specific incidents where she claimed discrimination, including her assertions that a school committee member made repeated racist remarks and that another district official harbored negative sentiments toward her and her minority staff.
Mayor Grebien has publicly responded, stating that the city firmly disagrees with the allegations made in Royal’s lawsuit. Moreover, the Pawtucket School Committee referred to the claims as “dubious.” School Committee Chairman Omar Reyes emphasized a commitment to advancing the district under the leadership of Acting Superintendent Buck, who was appointed while Royal was on leave. Reyes has noted improvements in staff morale since Buck’s arrival, echoing a desire to move forward and wishing Royal well in her future endeavors.
In the context of her medical background, Royal initially requested leave for a health procedure that later transitioned into a period marked by work-related anxiety. She claimed that her recent attempts to communicate her need for a short extension on her Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) leave were overlooked, leading to additional stress. Royal underscored that the environment at the school department had grown increasingly hostile, ultimately detracting from her health and well-being, prompting her decision to resign.
Throughout her time as superintendent, Royal asserted her success in improving educational outcomes, including heightened student proficiency scores and improved graduation rates. She also mentioned achieving a fiscal surplus under her leadership. However, Royal expressed concerns that systematic changes implemented by current district leadership were undermining her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion within the school system.
Royal’s resignation, coupled with the surrounding lawsuit and claims, has sparked discussions about the treatment of minority leaders within educational institutions and the challenges they face in positions of authority. As Pawtucket moves forward, the focus will likely shift towards the leadership of Acting Superintendent Buck and the overarching goals of the school committee to navigate these significant changes while addressing the concerns raised during Royal’s tenure.
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