Seekonk School Committee Chair Calls for Civility

School Committee chair Erin Brouillette said Monday there had been a “misunderstanding about the purpose and format” of the public comment portion of the meetings. Brouillette noted a “visual timer” will be used from now on for all speakers. “We’ll continue to enforce both Massachusetts Open Meeting Law and our Public Participation policy for all meetings and we hope to continue in a civil and respectful way that continues to focus on improving the growth and achievement of Seekonk students,” Brouillette added.

School Superintendent Rich Drolet was the subject of a verbal broadside from a parent involved in a lawsuit filed against the school committee. The suit was filed October 20 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. Drolet had issued a no trespass order to parent Luis Sousa as a result of incidents at two school committee meetings. The no trespass order has been amended.

The complaint says Drolet and the members of the school committee committed violations of Sousa’s rights under the first and fourteenth amendments, pertaining to free speech and equal protection, along with the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA). Sousa claims he suffers from bipolar disorder.

 “On October 4, 2022, the Seekonk Public Schools issued a No Trespass Order to a district parent following two incidents of disruptive behavior during School Committee meetings,” Drolet told the Reporter via email November 16. “It is the goal of Seekonk Public Schools to conduct our meetings with civility, order and decorum. All speakers who participate in our meetings are encouraged to present their remarks in a respectful manner,” Drolet noted.

Sousa is being represented by attorney Marc Randazza, who has offices in Gloucester.