Pawtucket schools superintendent Royal resigns, cites alleged ‘differential treatment, harassment’ by officials
PAWTUCKET, R.I. (WLNE) — Pawtucket School Department Superintendent Patricia Royal resigned Tuesday amid her lawsuit against the Pawtucket School Committee, school district administrators, the City of Pawtucket and others.
In her letter announcing the resignation, Royal cited what she called the Pawtucket School Committee’s “unlawful removal of me and the subsequent unannounced appointment of an Acting Superintendent.”
Royal, first hired in 2023, alleged that she was subject to negative treatment in her time on the job, which along with the appointment of the acting superintendent, contributed to her resignation.
“This action, which was taken when I was taking short-term sick time and I was about to return the following week, coupled with the differential treatment, harassment, blatant defamation, and insidious racial discrimination displayed by certain elected officials and a few of my cabinet members, has dramatically affected my health and well-being,” said Royal in the letter. “I tried to hang in there for my students and families, but the toxic work environment made it difficult to endure.”
Royal went on to tout her record and accomplishments as Superintendent, saying that under her leadership that the district experienced increased student proficiency scores, raising graduation rates and a surplus.
“Lately, and throughout my tenure, those in power have attempted to claim that the district is in deficit; however, it is not,” said Royal.
“The district is in surplus, which reflects my commitment to safeguarding the district’s fiscal integrity and planning for a resilient future.”
She also claimed that district leadership was systematically reversing progress made toward promoting diversity.
Her statement went on to credit teachers, staff and students in contributing to district progress.
Royal went on to state that her FMLA (Family Medical Leave Act) expired and that she requested a short extension which she said was initially ignored and followed up by a request for her doctor to complete a 504 plan, a course with which her doctor disagreed.
Royal concluded the statement by asserting that a “hostile” environment and its adverse effects on her well-being led to her decision to resign.
Royal initially filed her lawsuit against Pawtucket officials on March 26 in federal court, claiming that the district interfered in her contract.
At the time, Omar Reyes, Chair of the Pawtucket School Committee said in a statement that the school committee “adhered to Pawtucket Public Schools Policy, aligned with state law,” and that the committee will “vigorously defend against any claims that unfairly attack our integrity and misrepresent that goals and purposes of any of our interactions with Mrs. Royal.”
Reyes’ March statement went on to say, “We believe that the children of Pawtucket deserve the best schools possible, and we will not be distracted from our mission by a randomly assembled narrative of dubious allegations and legal claims. Nevertheless, through our legal counsel, we will vigorously defend against any claims that unfairly attack our integrity and misrepresent the goals and purposes of any of our interactions with Mrs. Royal. Our passion is our students, and we will continue working on their behalf.”
When reached for comment on Royal’s resignation, Omar Reyes issued the following statement:
