By JULIE CUNNINGHAM

(Charlemont, MA) Hawlemont School Committee member Charles Ricko said he finds the current situation surrounding the Hawlemont elementary school and the school committee elected to oversee it, shocking. Ricko has expressed concern not only in regards to attacks on his own character, which have been forwarded to law enforcement, but a call from members of the Mohawk School Committee for the resignations of the Hawlemont School Committee.

“We have an elected committee (Mohawk), now demanding the resignations of members of another elected committee (Hawlemont), and holding 2D funding hostage in exchange for eliminating the electoral process. How does this not send chills down anyone’s spine?” said Ricko. The 2D agreement is a two district agreement between Hawlemont and Mohawk regarding shared services with the two schools.

Ricko also said the committee has received complaints from parents regarding the discipline taking place at Hawelemont, and efforts to work through the issue were reportedly stonewalled by Superintendent Sheryl Straton who responded with a statement that “restorative justice works.” Complaints about the curriculum taught at the school were also reportedly stonewalled, and Straton reportedly told the committee that teachers have a right to privacy and isn’t required to share their curriculum with the school committee. Attempts to discuss the 2D agreement according to Ricko were not taken seriously, and Ricko says certain individuals “rolled their eyes and giggled” when presented with the issues.

“The present situation, I find absolutely shocking. Let’s completely gut the democratic process, so that one political ideology can progress, unchecked. Right? Perhaps we should demand the resignations of the Mohawk Committee. Same thing, isn’t it” said Ricko.

Ricko remains dedicated to his position with the school committee. “Even though the work as a school committee member is thankless, stressful, and tiring, I prefer to do the job that voters elected me to do. I also refuse to allow bullying, defamation of character, and intimidation win,” said Ricko.