Marblehead super requests end to school procurement controversy

MARBLEHEAD – Superintendent of Schools Paul Dulac has asked the School Committee to accept his findings on the Marblehead Village School procurement issue "and declare this issue closed.""I have done due diligence on this matter and have acted appropriately and within the legal and ethical guidelines," Dulac wrote in an Oct. 5 letter.He said Tuesday a copy of his letter will be delivered to the Inspector General’s office by his Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents lawyer and he hopes to get a response from the IG.The School Committee is now ready to schedule Dulac’s evaluation, delayed pending a resolution of this issue.Massachusetts Inspector General Gregory Sullivan said a Diamond Relocation employee claimed that Dulac was willing to circumvent state procurement laws when Diamond’s $42,000 charges for storing school furniture exceeded their $24,969 bid.Sullivan called that statement "troubling" in an April letter and urged Dulac to have the matter investigated.Dulac said he subsequently met with Town Administrator Tony Sasso, Finance Director John McGinn and Goldfield."I brought up this option for consideration," Dulac said. "I was quickly informed by the town administrator that this option would be illegal, at which time it was quickly dropped as a possible solution."Dulac said Tuesday he raised the possibility to get the town officials’ reaction to it.