SAUGUS — The actions of School Committee member Arthur Grabowski before a Sept. 23 meeting have caused committee members to conduct their gatherings online, due to safety concerns, for the foreseeable future.
Before a School Committee meeting in September, there was an argument between Grabowski and a school administrator.
Less than two weeks after the incident, the next committee meeting was held remotely for the first time in three months.
“We are on Zoom, not because of COVID but because we had an issue where a committee member got hostile with a school employee,” said School Committee Chair Tom Whittredge. “Until we get it sorted out, we have to have everyone safe and comfortable coming to meetings.”
Member John Hatch corroborated that Grabowski’s actions resulted in the remote meeting.
“Unfortunately, we had an incident with a committee member that caused us to evaluate the way that we met,” he said. “No one should have to feel uncomfortable or feel unsafe at any of our meetings, especially when it comes to their job.”
This is not the first time Grabowski’s actions have come under scrutiny. Back in the spring, the School Committee called for his resignation after he refused to apologize for alleged racist remarks made during a meeting in January.
The remarks were directed towards the district’s non-English-speaking employees. The School Committee received a complaint from Assistant Operations Manager Steve Napolitana in January, where he accused Grabowski of racially-biased statements toward some of the district’s maintenance workers who were in his presence.
The committee unanimously voted that Grabowski was to stop visiting school buildings unannounced, and all four members also voted to strip him of his positions on the Finance and Facilities subcommittees.
Other committee members are voicing concern over the consistent spectacle connected to Grabowski. Member Ryan Fisher expressed his concern over the dwindling unified front that should be presented in meetings, especially while the committee has its hands full.
“During the meeting, we are discussing the TikTok challenges where students are vandalizing the school and potentially assaulting staff members,” said Fisher.
The idea of showing support for staff during challenging times is important for the committee, but makes it hard to control the situation over Zoom, as opposed to in person, according to Fisher.
“It’s to the point where you have to take responsibility for your actions,” said Fisher. “He’s told us in the past that he doesn’t answer to us; hopefully, he answers to voters.”
Grabowski did not respond to The Item’s attempts for comment.
