Pittsfield City Council votes for an independent investigation at PHS
On Monday night, the Pittsfield City Council met to discuss the growing issues inside Pittsfield High School. The city passed a petition to open an investigation to know the facts and find a solution.
Since this school investigation started, parents and community members have expressed anger and outrage while calling for accountability and transparency.
“My question is, who is responsible? Who is in charge? And, when the investigation is concluded, will there be full transparency in telling the citizens, the parents…if the adults can take responsibility to protect their children,” one parent said during the meeting.
On Monday, 11 city council members voted to support the school committee in seeking an independent investigation into allegations of misconduct by staff members at the high school.
“We’re hurting,” Rhonda Serre, Ward 8 City Councilor, said. “I think it’s important for the City Council to publicly state that we stand alongside the other elected officials in this city. And we’re all going to face this problem head-on.”
Right now, there are at least three school administrators placed on leave, including Wiggins, who is facing drug charges for allegedly running a cocaine distribution ring.
“The Eagle asked if there was a culture problem at Pittsfield High School. The answer is a resounding yes,” one resident said during the meeting. “A culture was allowed to flourish with improperly licensed administrators, allegedly trafficking cocaine, allegedly sending sexually explicit pictures.”
According to the Berkshire Eagle, A student has sued former English teacher Robert Barsanti for sexual harassment. The lawsuit claims Barsanti would make sexual comments towards her and other students on multiple occasions and, at one point, asked the student to go into a janitor’s closet with him.
Right now, the council is not taking any action beyond the scope of the agenda. However, the council says the scope of the investigation will be determined by the school committee, the elected body that oversees the city’s public schools.