Educator gets show of support
Former colleagues and school officials from across the region are lining up in support of Maynard Superintendent Mark Masterson as he faces a hearing this week that could determine whether he keeps his job.
The hearing is the latest chapter in the story of Joseph Magno, a long time teacher who died of a heart attack last month on the eve of his trial for raping a Maynard High senior.
The School Committee placed Masterson on paid administrative leave last Sunday pending an investigation into how he responded to a phone call in 2004 accusing a teacher of sexual abuse of a student 30 years earlier. Masterson said the caller did not identify the teacher; the caller said he did.
Tom Scott , the executive director of the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents , said Masterson has been made a fall guy.
"Everyone is looking for someone to blame. They do not have Magno so someone needs to pay the price," said Scott. "I have known Mark for 10 years and . . . he's your Boy Scout. He's respectful, honest, caring."
Masterson, who lives in Lincoln, said he was confident the truth would come out Thursday and that he would exercise his right to have the meeting held in open session.
"This is my career, my integrity, my life we're talking about," said Masterson, who has been superintendent of the 1,300-student district since 2002 and an educator since 1970.
Martha Wood, who served on the School Committee when Masterson took office, said she is furious with the committee's actions.
"I am appalled, but not surprised," Wood said in a phone interview from her home in Acton. "The idea that Mark would cover up for an alleged child molester is preposterous. Mark and I didn't agree on everything when I was a committee member . . . but he worked completely above board.
"He would call and e-mail, sometimes two, three times a day, to let us know what was happening in the schools."
Brian Dunnigan , a 47-year-old Maine resident and former Maynard High student, said he called Masterson in August 2004 to tell him Magno had molested his childhood friend on a trip to Lake Winnipesaukee . Masterson denies that Dunnigan named Magno.
"Masterson knew about Joe Magno and he did nothing," said Dunnigan, who as of last week had not decided whether to attend the hearing, which was moved from Wednesday to Thursday at 3:30 p.m. so Masterson's lawyer could attend.
Masterson provided the Globe with an e-mail he said he sent to Bob Fraser, the school district lawyer, after receiving the phone call. In it, the superintendent asked what his legal obligations were if he knew of alleged abuse but did not know the name of the alleged abuser. The e-mail was dated Aug. 30, 2004.
Masterson said that Fraser, by phone and in an e-mail, told him that nothing could be done without knowing the teacher's name. Fraser said that he was "not at liberty" at this point to disclose his response, but he added that Masterson's account "is not entirely accurate."
The lawyer said he still has the e-mail he sent the superintendent, but he refused to release it at this time. Masterson said he too has a copy of Fraser's e-mail, but he has not been allowed access to his office computer since he was suspended.
Douglas McDonald , superintendent of the Timberlane Regional school district in New Hampshire, is one of Masterson's staunchest supporters. Masterson worked as assistant superintendent in that district for 11 years before being hired by Maynard in 2002.
"If you were looking for someone with real integrity, he would be the model," McDonald said in a telephone interview this week. "Dr. Masterson is a man of personal and professional integrity who would never place the safety of a child in jeopardy."
Rick Little , a former Hampstead School Board member, said he was shocked to hear Masterson had been placed on leave.
"As chairman of the board, I worked with Mark almost daily and he was always honest and straightforward," said Little. "He always has the well-being of children as his top priority."
Wayland Superintendent Gary Burton also spoke to Masterson's reputation.
"I have known Mark both as a colleague and a friend as a man of great integrity," said Burton. "I hope that the investigation that the School Committee has conducted will exonerate Mark. I will be surprised and disappointed if it does not because I happen to believe Mark to be an honorable person."
Maynard School Committee chairman Bill Kohlman said all members of the board have reserved comment until the hearing. Kohlman said the board will wait to hear all the information before deciding whether to terminate Masterson's contract or reinstate him.
"Anything is possible," said Kohlman.
Maynard High principal John Lent said school employees remain in the dark.
"We know very little other than what we are reading in the papers." said Lent. "None of us ever knew that such a call had taken place and that's because Mark usually investigates and checks everything.
"It's like we're all living through a nightmare that just keeps going."
A dozen residents interviewed Thursday morning in downtown Maynard said they were suspending judgment until all the facts of the case are known.
"I am trying to keep an open mind," said Linda Wheeler . "I feel badly for the people who were abused [by Magno], but don't think that Mark Masterson would have helped cover that up in any way. I just hope that we all can move on."
Town Administrator John Curran said he and other officials are particularly concerned about the controversy as the schools face pressing budgetary matters. The high school's accreditation is in danger because of the condition of the building.
"There is no question that the timing of this just couldn't be worse."
