NORWICH – Roughly three months ago, as speculation circulated regarding the conduct of the middle school principal, complaints were filed with state agencies. Now, following a lengthy review, they’ve been dismissed.
Four complaints against principal Lisa Schuchman filed with the state’s Human Rights Division, spokesperson Tom Shanahan said, have been dismissed. Although he said more complaints were filed with the state office, only four allegations chosen to undergo further investigation.
“We found no probable cause and they have all been dismissed,” he said.
Shanahan also said matters pertaining to acts of discrimination or sexual harassment listed within the complaints found no probable evidence to go further with the matter.
In various interviews with The Evening Sun in February, some middle school teachers said the administrator had been violating their rights, causing problems with teachers and reported allegations of sexual harassment and verbal abuse.
Up to 19 teachers confronted the Norwich school board and Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan about the matter and roughly a month later, Schuchman’s period of being allowed tenure status was pushed back until 2009. The administrator would have received tenure at the end of this school year.
Schuchman has denied any wrongdoing and according to O’Sullivan, the conflicts are being corrected. Board members say they are watching closely to ensure the morale at the middle school is improving.
According to Shanahan, the teachers who submitted the complaints are eligible to appeal the matter and further their case in court by having it reviewed by a judge.
Middle school teacher Lucinda Jones said she received the letter regarding the matter Saturday and at this point she said, “I am unsure if I am going to appeal or not. I have not decided for definite.”