Left In Lowell

Loyalty is a character trait that I admire. However, Kendall Wallace continuing to discuss in his columns his good friend, former Lowell High Headmaster Bill Samaras, is taking it to a new level.

In my opinion, Kendall helped, through his columns in the paper and his connections, to allow his friend to retire on his own terms. I have come to terms with that even though (IMHO) it cost Dr. Karla Brooks Baehr her job. But life goes on and I should let it go.

But Kendall’s comments in last Saturday’s column made me want to shout enough is enough.

At least one member of the committee called Superintendent of Schools Chris Scott to complain that departing Lowell High Headmaster Bill Samaras ‘set up an office’ in the High School after his official retirement on June 30. Samaras worked right up to the final minute of his last day. When he didn’t finish all his notes on time, he brought his laptop to the school library where he was going through files, sorting out reports and documents that might be helpful to his replacement, which resulted in a complaint from one of his ‘superiors’.

What is wrong with a School Committee asking the Superintendent for an explanation? Did Dr. Scott use the word “complain” in her call to Mr. Samaras? And yes, a sitting School Committee member is the “superior” of the LHS Headmaster in our current structure.

And Kendall finishes his commentary with this sentence: “I have little doubt if Samaras chose to run for the School Committee he would top the ticket.”

Now who is being petty?