Essex County

Danvers town meeting set for today amid calls for superintendent to step down

DANVERS, Mass. — Last week, some parents and a school board member called for Superintendent Lisa Dana to step down. Now town leaders are scheduled to meet behind closed doors for a 5:45 p.m. special meeting on the subject.

Investigations have been carried out, but the district said nothing significant had been discovered, while one member of the 2019-2020 boys hockey team said multiple incidents took place, according to The Boston Globe.

Teammates allegedly hit a victim with a plastic sex toy after they didn’t participate in a locker room ritual of yelling the N-word, as well as taking part in homophobic behavior. Endicott College recently announced it will not renew an agreement with the team for use of Raymond Bourque Arena.

The hazing allegations and pandemics are the two biggest issues the district has faced in the past two years, according to board member Eric Crane. Crane said Danvers education leaders are taking the issue very seriously.

Recently, the Danvers Teachers Association said, in a statement, that it condemns the alleged behavior and chastises district leadership for secrecy and not allowing educators to play a role in addressing the racist and homophobic behavior.

Monday night’s meeting of the Danvers School Committee is scheduled to be in executive session, unable to be attended by the public.