A Glover School special education preschool teacher fired in the aftermath of a student restraint crisis has been cleared of any wrongdoing by a state arbitrator. Arbitrator Mary Ellen Shea ruled on March 27 that Patty Frawley, who lives in town, be hired back at Glover.
“The decision to fire Patricia Frawley on April 17, 2024, was not supported by just cause,” Shea wrote. “The district is ordered to immediately reinstate Patricia Frawley to her position and restore all wages and benefits she would have received but for the wrongful termination.”
“I’m thrilled,” Frawley told the Current just hours after receiving the news on Friday. “I’ve always felt that I would be vindicated. Of course, you’re nervous, but I really felt strongly about our position fighting this. I’ve been teaching in Marblehead for more than 21 years, and my whole career demonstrated my commitment and hard work.”
Frawley said she isn’t sure what the next steps will be, but she’s looking forward to being back with students.
“I really missed working with the young kids,” she said. “I do think it’s my speciality. And I’ve developed very strong relationships and bonds with people who work at Glover. Everyone has been very supportive.”
Frawley and three other Glover educators were placed on paid leave in early December 2023 after a controversial student restraint in the school. The then-third grader’s family is now suing the district. Several other educators were let go, including Ann Haskell, who is also suing the district.
In the wake of the crisis, the MPS student services director and assistant director stepped down. An outside investigation determined there was neglect of the student. A new student services team has been hired, and new protocols have been put in place.
“The Marblehead Education Association (union) maintained throughout this case that our members did not deserve to be punished for the previous administration’s failure to provide safe working and learning environments,” MEA Co-President Jonathan Heller wrote to the Current. “The circumstances around this unjust dismissal and the School Committee’s decision to ignore educators’ concerns about conditions in our schools were a driving force for the MEA to pursue health and safety language in our contract.”
Sally Shevory, union co-president and Glover School teacher, has worked with Frawley for about a decade.
“We have been fighting this for over a year,” she said of Frawley’s firing. “We always had the students’ safety foremost in our minds. Teachers were repeatedly ignored when they asked for more training and safety precautions. Patty is a wonderful teacher.”
Shevory added, “Justice was really served. We will welcome her back with a red carpet.”
Frawley said it wasn’t easy going through the very public ordeal in her hometown.
“At first it was difficult, but people have been so supportive, people who really know me, because they know me as a teacher,” she said.
She is happy to be part of Marblehead Public Schools again.
“I am committed to Marblehead schools,” she said. “This is my hometown. My son graduated from Marblehead schools. I do have a strong commitment to the town, and I want to make it better. I’m a firm believer in, if you work through challenges, everyone can become better.”
Interim Superintendent John Robidoux, who was not in Marblehead when Frawley was initially fired, said Friday, “We’re going to review the decision and take whatever steps we are required to.”
Shea is the same arbitrator who recently ordered Marblehead to reinstate fired police officer Chris Gallo with back pay.
