Central Falls Principal Takes School District to Court

Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Stephen Beale, GoLocalProv News Editor

A Central Falls principal who has been on administrative leave all year is taking the school district to court in an effort to get her job back.

Elizabeth Legault started out the year as co-principal at the Calcutt Middle School but was put on administrative leave in October 2010. She has been on leave since then, all the while collecting her full $105,500 salary.

It wasn’t until earlier this month, on May 5, that the school district issued her a formal reprimand letter. Now, since she wasn’t put on suspension or received another more serious punishment, Legault is wondering why she is not being allowed to return to work, according to her attorney, Jeff Sowa. Since the district has not provided a reason, Sowa has filed an injunction in Providence County Superior Court requiring that the district let her back into Calcutt Middle School.

Sowa declined to provide a copy of the reprimand letter or discuss what misconduct it cited, but he questioned why it had taken the district so long to conduct an investigation in Legault’s misconduct only to issue a reprimand. “Certainly for October through May to conduct a purported investigation is an extraordinarily long period of time,” Sowa said. “If it was serious or had any merit whatsoever … a more serious penalty would have been imposed.”

In the letter notifying Legault she had been put on leave, Superintendent Frances Gallo cited “charges of misfeasance or malfeasance.”

“It’s cute words that people use for trumped up charges,” Sowa countered.

Former coworker: principal was targeted for speaking out

One former guidance counselor at the school told GoLocalProv that he believes Legault was targeted, along with other employees, because she criticized district policies—especially a new approach to discipline known as restorative practices.

“As a result, they were taken out back and shot. That’s basically the way it is—there is no freedom of speech in that district,” said George McLaughlin, who left Central Falls last year after he was transferred to a classroom position. “This is retribution for Miss Legault speaking her mind.”

McLaughlin now runs the Guidance Department at Tolman High School but says he stays in close contact with teachers in Central Falls. “It’s not just Liz Legault. There are people who are frightened and think that if they say anything, even report problems … they will get punished for it,” he said.

A spokeswoman for Gallo was not able to respond to a request for comment in time for publication.

After GoLocalProv first reported that Legault was one of three administrators not working and still collecting a paycheck, Education Commissioner Deborah Gist issued a statement saying the district was limited in what it could say about matters that involve litigation. “Please bear in mind that when allegations involve personnel matters or legal issues, neither the district nor RIDE can readily share information with the media or the public,” Gist said.

Teacher: ‘We’ve been riffling through administrators’

Several teachers and other coworkers told GoLocalProv they were not familiar with the exact circumstances surrounding Legault’s departure, but they praised her leadership.

“The respect factor is huge and that goes from the cafeteria staff to the custodians to the students to the parents,” said Marc Senerchia, a Social Studies teacher at the middle school.

For several years, Legault was principal at Calcutt. Last year, she was principal at Central Falls High School only to be returned to Calcutt at the start of this year. Since her initial tenure at Calcutt, there has been no consistency in the leadership, according to Senerchia. “We’ve been riffling through administrators. No one knows what their role is,” Senerchia said. “When Liz was there we had consistency, structure, rules, and routine, which enhance students’ learning and community relationships.”

The same went for the high school when she was there, according to Justin Drzal, a special education teacher at Central Falls High. “When she’s there, you know who’s in charge. There’s definitely a sense of leadership,” Drzal said. “Miss Legault seemed like she had a vision and she knew where the school was going. … I’m still unsure of where the school is going now.”

Connie Dube, the head of the local union for non-certified staff, said Legault is popular among students and teachers. Dube said she hopes Legault is able to return to the district. “She’s a great teacher. She’s a great principal. She has great rapport with all the students,” Dube said. “She’s done a lot for the community of Central Falls.”

Legault’s injunction is scheduled to be heard in Providence County Superior Court today.

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Comments:

barnaby morse

6:27am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Interesting that she was removed from the high school if there are so many discipline problems. There are now 4-5 PAID staff roaming the halls all day trying to rein in 800 students!

concerned resident

6:39am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Finally, a chance to find out the real truth.

Ms. Legault was a superior leader. Her vision was clear and changes were evident shortly after taking her position as principal. Whether you agreed or disagreed with her, her office was always open for discussion with no fear of retaliation. Students were not perfect during her tenure, but there was a marked difference in the overal climate and there were consequences for misbehavior.

Ms Legault was a constant figure in the community. She met parents, spoke with students outside after dismissal, attended games and events(not out of duty, but because she cared), and organized community events to provide for the less fortunate in the city.

My guess is Ms Legault followed suit with Dr. Gallo until she realized Dr. Gallo's real mission in Central Falls. At that point, her honor and commitment to the students in CF would not let her sit idle and become "one of the minions." Once she began to vocalize her disapproval, her services were no longer needed.

eye wideshut

7:04am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

thanks concerned....given that bit of info....the fact that mr. mclaughlin was reassigned to a teaching position after publicly speaking out about her, and the two gym teachers reassigned....the science teacher dale's story and the countless other unheard stories...it is obvious what is going on....

this megalomanic needs to go before irreparable harm is done to this city....how unfortunate for the 800 or so students caught in the middle of this power struggle.....let's get ms legault back in the school and start the healing.....

Jacob Loupus

7:49am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Finally, the truth about Central Falls is being revealed. If anyone should be suspended for "malfeasance and misfeasance", it is Superintendent Gallo and perhaps her prime enabler, Commissioner Gist.

Concerned Former Employee

11:05am on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

It's about time someone take on Dr. Gallo and all of her cronies! Ms. Legault is an extraordinary leader who always does what’s best for her students and teachers. She was the only administrator who had CFHS under control. Unlike, the other administrators that are currently doing everything Dr. Gallo tells them to do, even to cover-up violent behaviors in the schools. Ms. Legault never drank Dr. Gallo's kool-aid and this is why she was put out on leave. Go Legault!

cindy smith

5:17pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

This is still the United States, and we still do have the right to "FREEDOM OF SPEECH". Very well said Mr. Senerchia

jennifer Wood

5:18pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I agree with Mr. Senerchia's excellent comment.Very well said. Consistency and structure is something that cannot be contolled out of the school environment by us teachers, but we should at least offer this to them in the school system. If the current administration is truly concerned about the students, then let's offer them some stability.

Carlos Ruiz

5:37pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Hey Governor Chafee there is a huge situation in Central Falls..What's your opinion on what's happening since Central Falls school system is state funded. There is mass confusion and unstability going on...

Rose Merry

8:13pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

I thought Fran had a degree in Educational Leadership. Fran honey did you forget to take notes? Or is it because you got the degree from a strip mall diploma factory in Florida? Legault was the best thing to happen to Central Falls. She had a firm hand on what needed to be done, she had the backing of the community, she had Thanksgiving meals, clothes for the needy, and knew the people by name. No wonder Gallo was threatened by her.

Sandy Smith

11:33pm on Tuesday, May 31, 2011

With Dr. Gallo in charge, Central Falls will never be a success. Since she has come to Central Falls there have been 33 different administrators in the schools. That number does NOT include all the changes in the central office. Mr. Senerchia is right, without consistency, structure and community relationships, the students are the ones who suffer. It has become obvious that Dr. Gallo only cares about her power and her ability to bully teachers and staff. For her, it's not about the kids. Ms. Legault ALWAYS put Central Falls first. Dr. Gallo is slowly tearing apart the close knit community Central Falls once was...

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