“Two Sides to Every Story” Says Smithfield School Chair on Alleged Anti-Semitic Incident

“Two Sides to Every Story” Says Smithfield School Chair on Alleged Anti-Semitic Incident

The Chair of the Smithfield School Committee said there are “two sides to every story” and that the investigation into an alleged antisemitic incident at the high school “does not conclusively reveal whether antisemitic statements were made or not.” 

Chair Richard Iannitelli issued the statement on Monday, when the Smithfield School Committee accepted the resignation of Superintendent Dawn Bartz, who conveyed her intention to step down last week. 

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It marks the latest in the controversy involving five football players allegedly assaulting a Jewish student and spraying him with a chemical to reenact a Holocaust gas chamber.

On Tuesday, Council President John Tassoni said that the school committee’s review of its legal counsel’s assessment of the Superintendent’s handling of the incident raises more questions. 

"I’m a little bit disappointed that I haven’t seen the investigation. Obviously, [the superintendent] resigned, because she, quote, mishandled the investigation - but it stops there. What happened with the coach; what about the AD - what happened with anybody that was involved?" asked Tassoni. 

"I’m perplexed about how this all came out - last night - and nothing really came of that letter sent out," said Tassoni. "There was no substance there. The people of the Town of Smithfield deserve substance."

Tassoni has called for an independent investigation; he said he continues to do so. 

 

Letter to Community 

GoLocal received a copy of the following statement made by Iannitelli on Monday.

He wrote: 

"The Committee reviewed our legal counsel’s assessment of the Superintendent’s handling of an incident concerning allegations of student hazing and harassment. It is clear that this matter was mishandled in several respects including student discipline determinations and misinformation provided to the public.  

Accordingly, the School Committee formally accepted Superintendent  Bartz’s resignation. This resignation is effectively immediately.  

The following statement is issued in the interest of full transparency and to provide the students and families of Smithfield Public Schools with a path forward.  

We relied on our legal counsel to conduct a review of actions taken and provide us with legal advice on this matter for several reasons. 

∙ The Rhode Island Attorney General’s office announced that it is conducting an independent investigation. We look forward to receiving their findings. 
∙ Neither the Committee nor its attorney were meaningfully involved in any aspect of this matter and, we trust our attorney’s advice,  conclusions, and recommendations.  

There has been much public discussion regarding the facts of a recent student incident. It is also public knowledge that a complaint was filed with the Rhode Island Department of Education which makes certain factual allegations. Different parties will likely dispute the accuracy of many of the allegations in that document.  

I can say that information provided to us does not conclusively reveal whether antisemitic statements were made or not. The matter can be summed up quite simply as there being two sides to the story.

Regardless of the truth, none of this diminishes the hurt experienced by any targeted student. The administration’s job is to take steps to protect all students from any form of intimidation, threats, bullying or hazing. 

And as recently stated by our Commissioner of Education, there is no place in public schools or in our society for antisemitic statements or behaviors.  The Smithfield School Committee and this department does not and will not tolerate hate in any form, including, antisemitism. Nor will we tolerate intimidation, threats, bullying, or hazing. Full Stop.  

Some in the community may wish to know precisely what occurred between students and how decisions impacting students’ discipline were made. Federal and state law require that student matters remain confidential. The Committee will continue to protect and maintain the confidentiality of all of our students. 

The failure to follow the discipline process and rushed public communications led to confusion and acrimony throughout this community, this includes the release of an October 10, 2025, letter to football families.  That letter should not have been released as written. The school committee will work to review and change those processes to ensure that  students and administrators are held accountable for their actions.  

The School Committee has already started to review all student, employee, and coach handbooks and practices to ensure that these core beliefs are implemented and enforced department wide. Our interim superintendent will help us in this process."