06/10/2023
LISBON SCHOOL EMPLOYEES VOTE NO-CONFIDENCE IN SUPERINTENDENT ON EVE OF CONTRACT RENEWAL DISCUSSIONS
Date: 6/10/2023
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Lisbon Education Association announced today the bargaining unit of employees has voted overwhelmingly to express No-Confidence in current Lisbon School Department Superintendent Richard A. Green as his contract comes up for renewal by the Lisbon School Committee.
The vote of the majority of the bargaining unit was 94% to 6%. The vote was held this week by the Association, who represents both the professional and hourly staff of the district, after its active membership requested and voted to hold it.
Morale here is at an all-time low,” stated one of multiple requests from buildings across the district. “When we think of the reasons for that, they all seem to connect back to the failures of Mr. Green.”
Among the accusations leveled by educators against Green were a lack of good faith bargaining, and allegations of years of intimidation and reprisal toward employees, including reassignment or non-renewal of staff who participate in contract negotiations.
Current LEA President and Negotiations Chair Rick Beaulé, himself fighting a contract non-renewal from Mr. Green, stated that the proposal for a referendum originated with staff across the district, and that the special meeting to hold the vote lasted over an hour before the decision to take action was rendered.
“This was not a decision that was made easily, or swiftly,” said Beaulé. “Every effort was made to solicit and consider any concerns that any member had regarding the situation here in Lisbon and the motion to pursue a vote of No-Confidence.”
Another request cited that, "Dr. Green’s leadership style is autocratic, stifling, and vindictive. Lisbon has struggled to retain teachers, and the repeated loss of institutional knowledge has prevented Lisbon from moving forward to meet the needs of its student population." According to an analysis of data acquired by the LEA from the Lisbon School Department 83 of 110 of its new hires- a staggering 75%- of teaching staff have left the district over the last three years, along with numerous educational technicians. Currently the district has over 20 vacancies it is seeking to fill.
“We have continued to lose irreplaceable staff members over the years due to this man,” stated Past President and P.W. Sugg Middle School teacher Amy O’Brien-Brown. “It is time for a change in Lisbon, and I believe this starts with the removal of Superintendent Richard Green.”
“That a majority of employees would step forward in spite of years of intimidation and bullying is telling,” stated Beaulé. “This vote shows that the majority of Lisbon employees have no-confidence in their Superintendent. It is time for the voices of the many to be heard over those of the few or the one. We call upon the School Committee at their meeting on Monday to both acknowledge these results and not renew the contract of Mr. Green.”
