CHELMSFORD, Mass. – Dozens of parents are confused and one teacher is on administrative leave after an altercation in Chelmsford just before Thanksgiving break.
Jennifer Salmon, a third grade teacher at Harrington Elementary School, and Eric Blanchet, a representative of the American Federation of Teachers, had asked for a meeting with principal Patricia Tobin about “ongoing issues in the teacher’s union.”
According to police, Tobin refused the meeting but Blanchet insisted and refused to leave. He later told police “well, I have a job to do.”
>>MORE: Read the full police report
Several parents told Boston 25 News this all began with potential safety concerns in one classroom, and they believe Salmon, the union representative for the school, was advocating for those concerns.
When police arrived, Salmon was escorted out and is now on administrative leave during an investigation.
"Due to strict confidentiality laws in student-related matters, the public, teachers and other student may not be aware of the work that is being done to support our staff and students – and we understand that this can lead to some frustration," Superintendent Jay Lang told Boston 25 News in a statement.
The American Federation of Teachers has not responded to requests for comment.
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