Leaders taking steps to make New Bedford schools safer

March 16, 2016 6:36 pm

By Bianca Buono

bbuono@abc6.com

@BBuonoABC6

The mayor of New Bedford is coming under fire for pulling his daughter out of classes at a middle school that’s become the center of a city-wide controversy.

Parents are questioning whether it’s safe to send their kids to class at Keith Middle School after stories of violence and disrespect have begun leaking out.

Hundreds of parents and teachers have come forward to both the city and the Superintendent throughout the past week demanding change, some even into writing into ABC6 questioning the mayor’s decision to pull his daughter out of the school at the center of the conversation.

"If you think your daughter or your son is going to get a better education at a private school, I think that kind of shows no confidence in the public school," says parent, David Goldman.

Goldman is referring to Mayor Mitchell, who pulled his daughter out of Keith Middle School. The school has recently been scrutinized because of the disturbing acts of violence and disrespect happening in its classrooms, reportedly leaving teachers afraid for their lives and parents questioning their children’s safety.

"I would think that if his daughter was in the school system, maybe the reaction time would be a little bit quicker also," adds Goldman.

But Mayor Mitchell says the decision to switch schools is irrelevant.

"I have three daughters, two of them are in the public school system. I have one daughter who has particular needs that needed to be accommodated better elsewhere, so I don’t think people should be conflating the two. I will say that my job as mayor is to look out for every kid in the school system," Mitchell said Wednesday.

After multiple open meetings where parents, like Goldman, expressed concerns with the school system, Mitchell says that’s exactly what he is doing, starting with the creation of a new sub-committee which will, in part, be assessing discipline.

"I’ve directed members of our school committee to set up an ad hoc committee on climate, on school climate, and they’re going to get to the bottom of it, ask all the questions that need to be asked, and give some direction to the superintendent," said Mitchell.

The mayor is also beefing up one the police presence at Keith by moving the officer at New Bedford High School over the middle school until the violence stops.

"It is a solvable problem. We were talking about discipline issues a couple of years ago at New Bedford High School and there isn’t a peep about that anymore," adds Mitchell.

In the meantime, parents like Goldman are relieved to see city leaders recognizing the problem and taking steps to make the schools safe places for their kids to learn.

Last week, city councilors told ABC6 teachers in New Bedford have been afraid to come forward and report violence in their classrooms in fear of losing their jobs. Wednesday, Mayor Mitchell said he is personally encouraging teachers to speak out, and if there are repercussions, he will take care of it.