Speculation arises about Gagliardi's resignation
Published on March 10th, 1999
STONEHAM, MA - Amid rampant speculation and a tight-lipped administration and School Committee, Dr. Frank Gagliardi tendered his resignation last week and withdrew from his multi-faceted position in the School Department.
Dr. Gagliardi, director of Stoneham's Special Education Department and principal of both the North and Colonial Park elementary schools, offered his letter of resignation to Superintendent of Schools Joseph Connelly last Wednesday morning and formally vacated his duties on Friday.
Allegations of misappropriation of funds followed soon on the heels of this decision, but confirmation of an investigation into any acts of misconduct on the part of Gagliardi has yet to be offered by the state or school insiders.
"We've been advised to forward any questions regarding Dr. Gagliardi to the superintendent of schools," School Committee member Jeanne Craigie said when questioned about the issues surrounding the former employee's resignation. "We really can't talk about it."
When contacted by the Stoneham Independent, Dr. Joseph Connelly, superintendent of Stoneham schools, gave a similar response.
"I have no comment."
Connelly did, however, say that the School Department and its employees are working vigorously to maintain a high standard of education despite the situation it was thrown into.
"Within the next couple of weeks, most likely by the March 25 (School Committee) meeting, I'll come up with a plan of action for replacing Dr. Gagliardi," he said. "A number of administrators in town have willingly stepped forward to help us out. I would want to reassure the parents that the instruction of their children will not suffer in the next three months.
"We do not expect any impact at all on service."
Connelly said that he expected to begin a search process for a replacement SPED director within a month and hoped to have one aboard by July. When asked if this replacement would wear the many hats that Dr. Gagliardi once had, Connelly responded, "I think I'd rather wait until the March 25 meeting to think about that further."
In the interim, Thomas Ryan, principal of Stoneham High School, will assume the role of acting special education director while South School Principal Paula Sline will take over the principalship of the Colonial Park School. Maureen Burke, assistant principal of the Central School, has agreed to take over as head of the North School for the time being.
The special education office has been relocated to Stoneham High School to allow Ryan to conduct his dual duties congruently.
Dr. Gagliardi was hired by the Stoneham School Department in 1976. For the past 22 school years, he has served as special education director and, more recently, took on the principalships at the two elementary schools. Gagliardi's home phone has been temporarily disconnected and he was unavailable for comment in this report.
According to town documents, Gagliardi made $93,439 in 1998 for his duties. Apart from police officer earnings which included details and overtime, Gagliardi topped the town list in earnings.
Connelly explained in the February 24 issue of the Stoneham Independent that, apart from his roles as special education director and principal, Gagliardi also served as director of Title 1 funding which are state monies dispersed to local students in need.
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