School board says meeting not meant to embarrass Espindle

The Lowell Sun

DRACUT — It is a three-minute walk from Lakeview Jr. High School to the high school, and School Committee members are hoping to make it to Dracut Pride Night with plenty of time to spare.

Eyebrows were raised late last week when it was announced that the School Committee had scheduled a special meeting on the same night when high-school seniors are recognized for their outstanding achievements.

The meeting was called to begin the search process for a new superintendent, now that Elaine Espindle has announced that she will not seek to renew her contract, which expires in June 2008. The move was seen by many as an effort to embarrass Espindle.

Committee Chairman Ron Mercier Jr. said the meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m., an hour before Pride Night begins.

“We are hoping to have a half-hour meeting and then we are all planning to attend Pride Night,” Mercier said. “We just want to see what the committee wants to do (to find a replacement for Espindle.) We want to start the process and get everything out in the open.”

Committee members have said there was no conscious effort to upstage the superintendent or the students. Committee member Dennis “D.J.” Deeb said the meeting was scheduled for the same night merely as a convenience, because the board had already planned to attend Pride Night.