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School super says MCAS cheating claim unfounded

by John Castelluccio

PEABODY – Superintendent of Schools Milton Burnett announced last week that the anonymous allegation of students cheating on an MCAS exam at the South Memorial School was simply a rumor – one he felt local newspapers should have exercised more discretion on before reporting it.

“It’s not my policy to respond to anonymous sources,” Burnett said, adding that the recent media coverage served to exaggerate the issue.

“The principal has found no substance to this claim,” he said.

Burnett received a call on April 22 from state officials in the Department of Education (DOE) to investigate the claim three fourth-graders were given extra time after school to complete the English portion of an untimed MCAS test on April 1. (All such tests must be completed on the same day within normal school hours.) Burnett said he never saw the anonymous e-mail the DOE received on April 19, which appeared to be from a parent at the school; he said the first time he heard of it was from a call from a reporter.

According to Principal Maryellen McGrath’s report, all fourth-grade tests administered that day were accounted for by the final bell. McGrath said some confusion in transportation schedules was created, however, when some students were delayed because they weren’t ready to leave at their normal time. The delay was caused because the students were moved to another room to finish the remainder of the long composition portion of their exam because the rest of the class had finished the exam already, McGrath said. Her letter said the parents were notified of the change.

Mayor Michael Bonfanti said he also received the anonymous e-mail and replied to the sender to find out more. His attempts were largely unsuccessful in obtaining useful information, he said, adding that the person was afraid of retribution and refused to reveal his or her name. The fact that the story was published because of an anonymous allegation, however, “cast aspersions upon the school, staff and others,” Bonfanti said. He encouraged anyone with a complaint to come forward and at least identify him or herself to him or school authorities to give them a foothold for an investigation.

“If you give me your name, we’ll look into it,” Bonfanti said.

Incensed School Committee members reminded all those present that it was against their policy to investigate anonymous complaints, focusing most of their ire on the initial news story. The harsh words were instigated in part because Burnett initially stated the reporter had initially forwarded the e-mail to the DOE. He later amended that to clarify that the DOE received the e-mail at the same time.

“I’m appalled by this type of behavior,” Edward Nizwantowski said, adding that such behavior on the unknown person’s side could only be for vindictive reasons.

“Dragging someone’s name through a newspaper can ruin careers and reputations,” he said. “What have we turned into, a communist state?”

“It’s embarrassing [and] abominable,” Beverley Griffin Dunne said, adding that she felt the news coverage was becoming similar to that of national tabloids. She demanded that McGrath’s letter be printed in full in the next edition of the newspaper.

“We do not look at any anonymous complaints,” Nizwantowski said slowly, emphasizing each word as he glared out into the audience.