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Lawrence school committee member resigns

Print | Comments () Posted by Your Town January 25, 2011 04:12 PM

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By Katheleen Conti, Globe Staff

Lawrence personnel director Frank Bonet resigned from his School Committee post this morning amid concerns that his position on the committee created a conflict of interest, according to city and school officials.

Interim School Superintendent Mary Lou Bergeron said Bonet dropped off his letter of resignation at her office earlier today. Bonet did not return calls for comment.

"It was a surprise," Bergeron said of Bonet's resignation, which was dropped off at the city clerk's office as well. "I think Mr. Bonet has to make a decision that's best for him personally. I'm sad this is happening with a year to go [in his term]. Mr. Bonet has been very dedicated, he stayed on top of issues, he contributes to the discussion, and he votes on what he believes is best for the district."

Bonet was elected to the two-year term in November 2009 and then appointed last January by Mayor William Lantigua as the city's interim personnel director. Last September, the City Council confirmed his appointment as personnel director, a position he'd formerly held with the city, but resigned from in 2008 to take a job with the Internal Revenue Service.

The city charter prohibits employees from being simultaneously compensated for a city job and an elected position, but School Committee posts are unpaid. Still, people have expressed concerns about Bonet and another committee member, public works supervisor Gregory W. Morris, sitting on the committee alongside their boss, Lantigua, who is also the committee's chair, Bergeron said.

Last year, the City Council approved an ordinance change prohibiting city employees from simultaneously serving on the School Committee. But Lantigua, who opposed the measure, refused to sign it or forward it to the state for the required legislative approval, said City Councilor Marc L. Laplante. Lantigua did not return calls for comment.

"So where does that leave us?" Laplante said. "We can't do anything. ... This has nothing to do with the work that Mr. Bonet has done as a personnel director, it has to do with the apparent conflict of interest that a current city employee would have while also serving as a school committeeman. The appearance jeopardizes the confidence the citizens would have that decisions made in either position are done independently."

The City Council is scheduled to discuss the vacancy created by Bonet's resignation at its next meeting Feb. 1, City Clerk William Maloney said.