I, too, am following this issue but not nearly as alarmed. The initial reception of Dr. Pope was incredibly positive. I imagined implementing the system wide changes that were desperately needed would ruffle quite a few feathers, so I'm not too surprised at what I'm hearing. I have a very high trust level in the school committee to monitor this situation and if they do not see fit to take immediate action, then I suspect they have a good reason and a better understanding of things. There is no way they're ignoring it.

@PG, desperately needed changes ruffled quite a few feathers..aka the status quo.
You nailed it. From someone who had children in the Marlborough public school system.

Pope is the problem , the status quo must always change. Instead of writting comments on the patch I'd highly advise c17a3 to attend a school committee and raise his/her concerns. Changes must take place, but intimidation, and bullying the best way to go about things?

Ruffling feathers is one thing. Demonstrating rampant disrespect, pushing employees, yelling at students, and intimidating teachers is another. Mr. Gentile, what has the school committee done to earn your "high trust level"? What have they done to develop an understanding of things? They're not IN the schools, only a couple of them have children in the schools, they don't ask anybody's opinion about what's going on, and they are treated (by the Marlborough taxpayers) to monthly retreats with the superintendent who they are supposed to be monitoring. How is any of this making the schools better for my child?

Well if you really are a mhs student I can safely say I have attended school and school commitee meetings before you were born so save your arrogance for someone else. And for commenting on patch I will continue to do so, but not in the beat down mentality you and your ilk demonstrate.

I only know two of the school committee members personally and they have ten children in the system between the two of them. They're constantly gathering opinions from parents that they encounter in the multitude of school activities for their 10 active children.

Needless to say, both of these members would never tolerate "rampant disrespect, pushing employees, yelling at students, and intimidating teachers". That kind of behavior is disgraceful and I would imagine every one of the school committee would immediately move to get rid of Dr. Pope, if that was the case.

c17a3-- I'm sorry but you're the one who spends your time trashing everyone in the school system, and not to mention writing bias comments. I would love for you to speak with the teachers and students at the school committee. Then you'd understand. I would also love if to meet you at the school committee, and explain to you the student's side of the story. From previous comments, you seem to only listen to rumors! Instead of doing your own research on the issue.

The Superintendents job is to make sure students are in the classroom learning, that the teachers are teaching and that the faculty meets the highest standards possible. He is doing his job as far as I am concerned. I have a child in MHS and during discussions about these incidents it has been brought to my attention, from my child “that the students and teachers are acting ridiculously. The teacher, the student and Mr Bakr were wrong in this case". I went to MHS and the running joke when we graduated was: "I can’t be blamed if I don’t know that, I am a product of Marlborough High". Not only that but while I was a student, the school lost its accreditation, and if I am not mistaken they almost lost it again, before Pope was hired. I do also remember that faculty made threats all the time, “skip school on senior skip day and you would not graduate” (just to name one, but there were more just like that). Wow, that sounds similar to what Pope said to the kids just sitting around in the hallway instead of in the classroom learning. I also don’t agree the teachers should be taking sides with the students, they are teachers they should keep their personal comments to themselves. I don’t want them to waste my child’s learning time making comments on their feelings around this subject. So my comment to everyone is sorry you don’t like change, it happens, it is for the better, now put on your big girl/big boy pants and grow up.

@anonymous
Funny how you don't have the courage to put your name in. Sounds a lot like a school committee member or Dr. Pope

A- Let's get one thing straight. The school almost lost it's accreditation , because teachers were on strike. Why were they on strike? Because the Mayor at the time was not renewing their contract. So don't give me that bull.

B- How old is your son? A sophomore? Freshmen? Yea students acting ridiculous? Look those who aren't involved are the ones who have the faintest idea on what's going on. I'am sorry but you and your son, need to get up, and go talk to these "ridiculous" teachers before you go making assumptions about things.

C- Senior skip day- when seniors choose to not go to school. Resulting in loss of credit, which results in not graduating. Many kids cannot afford to skip. Instead they were warned, not threatened, to not skip.
Now, how would you or you're son feel if just because you questioned the Superintendent, he threatened you with suspension or to mess with your college application? That's a threat, so let's separate warning from threatening.

D - When the 2 sit ins took place, guess what? It was after Mid-terms during the 10 minute break that follows before kids can go to class.
Anonymous, out of most of the comments, you seem to be the most ignorant.You're getting you're answers from one source. You should go talk to the 15 teachers who witnessed his bullying, and 30 students who saw it as well.

Mhsstudent...since you keep brining it up what's your name? And who am I trashing? Mr Bakr knew of an inappropriate relationship between a substitute teacher/coach and a student and did nothing that's why he is not there now. I could careless about your Superintendent Pope diatribe...he's mean, he yelled at us. That's all smoke and mirror's, the real issue Dr Pope is making changes and the status quo aka...teacher's union doesn't like it...well to bad go work somewhere else.

C17a3- You sound like a high school student who immediately jumps into conclusions just because of a rumor. Many staff who know what happened, have repeatedly said, under certain circumstances Mr. Bakr made the right decision, and Pope did not agree with that decision. Do I know of that decision? NO. I think you should pack you're bags and move somewhere else, because this issue isn't going away no matter how bad you want it. Please " Dr. Pope is making changes bla bla bla" What do you know? You only listen to what they want you to listen. Have you bothered to actually stick your neck out of your closed bubble, and talk to staff throughout the system? Tell me c17a3, You've had a job before (or so I hope) How would you like it if your boss threatened you, with your job or benefits because you had a different opinion?

Also if you could care less about what we have to say, than why do you keep writing ridiculous comments, all over news articles? You're statements are completely inaccurate and untrue.
You think you know everything, but just by your ignorant statements, I can tell you clearly don't understand the situation.

C17a3- It is clear we are not going to see eye to eye on anything, and so I refuse to keep having this conversation. This is ridiculous, for all I know I could be arguing with someone who's 60 years old. I hope you'll open you're eyes at some point when everything becomes public.

I am not from Marlborough, but a longtime MA resident who has children. I just want the author of this article to know that up until Supt. Pope came on board Marlborough had a HORRIBLE reputation in MA. It was a town that would never be an option for our family to live due solely to the schools. Do not forget they were unaccredited, high school was antiquated ridiculous model of 8-12 and overall poor reputation. This is not rumor, but fact based on data that is for public consumption. When he was hired, and began to shake things up we began to expand our housing search from just the Shrewsbury, Westborough area to Marlborough as well. As a parent I take comfort in knowing that there is a strong leader on board who has a vision and is NOT afraid to make enemies;this is how schools improve. I hope that these kids and parents that are pining away for the good old days, and using terms like arrogant and aggressive to describe their Superintendent really take a long look at how the outside world is viewing Marlborough at this point. Because unlike the author's thesis that the Superintendent has caused Marlborough to become a laughing stock I can assure you as an outsider it is quite the opposite.

Marlborough has consistently produced bright students who have gone on to Harvard, Notre Dame, Duke, Carnegie Mellon, USC, etc. and was named the best place in MA to live for MANY reasons, one of them the school system last year. The article is also for public consumption. Bloomberg Businessweek.com reviewed real estate data, schools, crime rates, cost of living and other facts, such as job growth and recreation. After evaluating 5,418 communities in the United States, Marlboro took the top spot in Massachusetts. Attleboro was the runner-up.

Thus, not a HORRIBLE reputation as you state but an EXCELLENT reputation and choice to live. 8-12 is in place in many, many communities and plans to change have been in effect for years, it just happened that it changed back during Pope's time.

The teachers in Weymouth were in the process of sending a "no confidence" vote to Pope when he left. Coincidence? I think not. I have personally witnessed Pope texting during a school committee meeting and seen his smug arrogance smirking while students were speaking. I have been told that no one, let me say it again, NO ONE can be found that supports Pope's version of events at MHS, according to the City Solicitor.

No one likes a liar as a leader.

Come to the School Committee meeting on Tues., April 24th. Not being a Marlborough citizen and only living in MA, you truly are an outsider so I respectfully suggest you stop talking about what you know nothing about.

@ Me, Mickey & MHS Student...lets see if the school commitee bends their knee to the teachers union, people who LIVE in Marlborough and vote are watching. Where do i get my facts, try reading the newspaper instead of just the comments section. Bakrs defense; two other staffers had knowledge of the inapropriate relationship and did not get fired...so two wrongs make a right?

@c17a3 - "Where do i get my facts, try reading the newspaper instead of just the comments section."

PLEASE show me where in the newspaper is states the firing was due to an inapropriate relationship.

If it's there I will apologize, if not, youe an idiot spreading rumors just like many others.

@me...go ask a teacher up at the HS. or try reading the Home Journal.

@mhsStudent "Many staff who know what happened, have repeatedly said, under certain circumstances Mr. Bakr made the right decision, and Pope did not agree with that decision." And that would be?

@c17a3 ---- So basically you were lying when you stated "Where do i get my facts, try reading the newspaper instead of just the comments section." It's not in the paper and you are trying to convince us that "rumors" are fact based on.......nothing.

I'm not saying that what you are stating is untrue BUT should it be proven untrue or that Adam Bakr was really not at fault and wrongly fired, your rumor spreading could do some damage that can not be reversed.

Would like rumors about you being told as "fact" to the public on a forum like this or told anywhere?

Now why don't you go read the Home Journal and stop spreading rumors.

I personally know Mr Bakr from a long time ago. I don't even know the whole story, but if a teacher or coach is in a relationship with a student and someone of athority who supervises these people knows...I agree that person should be fired. Plus, that's sickening that a teacher had a relationship with a student. I can only imagine sending my daughter to school knowing a teacher is after her. How sick if that's what was going on there.

@MAMom I think its wise for you to not say anything. Marlborough was in danger or losing it's accreditation 20 years ago. The whole accreditation mess, came up in 2009, because the teachers were on "strike" and their contracts were not being renewed by the Mayor, which lead to students to march ( as they have been doing now) to city hall and demand answers. In the end Marlborough did not lose it's accreditation.

@MhsGrad- Just as an example, there are two students whom I know from my grade, were accepted into Brown. So clearly you don't know what you're talking about. Do you also realize the economy is in the toilet? As more people graduate , the opportunities shrink. Meaning it's not MHS' fault , if you or anyone you know got a crappy job. You are you're own person, stop blaming other things or other people and take some responsibility. Before you criticize Suzanne's post, check this out it explains how Marlborough is the best place to raise kids. http://images.businessweek.com/slideshows/20101214/the-best-places-to-raise-your-kids-2011/slides/22

Now, before you go many assumptions of Mr. Bakr, I think its wise to wait till the truth comes out. Which it will.

@c17a3- I do not know of the decision, the staff at MHS have refused to say anything. Its interesting you mention that you read the newspaper when none of them have said about an inappropriate relationship regarding a coach or a students. From that it seems you continue to listen to rumors.

@MHS Grad- I do however know where you are coming from, and as you've explained , you truly do know Mr. Bakr and you know how much a good person he is, which shows, you are a concerned parent and you as everyone else want the truth.

The thing that everyone here needs to understand,is that bullying and intimidating does not bring change. Pope has a history of being a bully. Weymouth teachers have said that he left their school in a mess.I was there when he threatened people with suspensions, or messing with their college plans-It was bad. He needs to go, and the students/staff/and parents will continue to push for his removal.

@MhsStudent - correction to your comment to c173a "From that it seems you continue to listen to rumors." it should read
"From that it seems you continue to SPREAD rumors."

@Me- I 100% agree!

c17a3 's comments continue to show that he does not know anything.

@Mhs grad- I'm not saying for you to go back to you're crappy job. Its just at first from your comment it seemed like you were not successful and you were blaming the MPS. Thank you for clearing that up. I'm also sure that its safer to raise a family in Southborough, Northborough etc but if there are issues in Marlboro why not deal with them? Pope came in with a lot of promise, but is bullying and intimidating others really the way to bring change about?

Also, I'm sure the 90's were rough, I heard plenty of stuff today when I went to MHS. But it has gotten better, particularly when Mary Carlson came in. I can tell you this, as an 8th grader at the high school I did not feel safe. As a senior , things have changed immensely.
Yes, I agree Marlborough needs to grow, and change,but Mr. Bakr brought that into MHS. Many past alumni wouldn't have graduated if he didn't push them. It's a shame that he was fired.

Yes I have heard that Bakr did wonders. It seems like this Pope wanted a scapegoat though and Bakr was the one he choose. I do think that the system needs a radical change, but as I mentioned earlier it had for years and it was always just one bad move after another. I'm sure Pope will not last.

@C17a3 - Yes, Bakr was fired by his boss - you FINALLY got a fact correct.
From the RUMORS I have heard do I think it just justified? No, I don't.
Do I have all the facts? No, if I did I might feel differently
Do I think Mr. Bakr has been treated fairly? No I don't.
Do I think he was an asset to MHS & should be reinstated? Yes
Do I think Pope is trouble & going to distroy MHS? Yes, he needs to go

Yes, I made comments about RUMORS, I did not claim to "know why Mr. Bakr got fired" and to be perfectly clear I wrote "EVERTHING I HAVE STATED IS RUMOR, there may be some slight truth to it or none at all."

Your still an idiot who obviously has reading comprehension issues that you should probably address.

@me I don't care what you think, personally I think your a moron. And it's less rumor and more fact especially when Bakr's lawyer is commenting on it in the Home Journal as stated before. I will give Superintendent Pope the benefit of doubt instead of the person he fired. You also stated your parents would not allow you to go to MHS (I wonder why)and your daugter was there for five years probably because the eighth grade was up there until Dr Pope changed that and put it back down in the middle school where it belongs. It's the same old same old in Marboro...spelled the city the way you probably learned growing up here. When an outsider comes here to make positive changes to the school system runs smack into the entrenched status quo, I just hope the school commitee has the backbone this time to fend off the vocal minority in this city...you and mhsstudent (probably a MHS teacher) included.

c17a3- Bakr's lawyer made no such statement! He simply said Bakr did nothing wrong, which he didn't! You're so ignorant it's ridiculous. Also if you haven't paid attention, every outsider have only proven to bring problems into the town. One example, is the admiral, and the Superintendent before her. Pope is no different.

Go find something to do, and stop spreading rumors in the internet. Like I have said before, go attend a SC meeting and learn the truth, and the facts. Don't rely on opinions. By the way, I 'am a student , interesting for you to make those assumptions when you sound SC member. You clearly don't know what you are talking about.

@mhsstudent or mhsteacher of course Mr Bakr's lawyer said he did nothing wrong you cement head, he also made a comment about other staffers up at the HS knowing about the inapproriate relationship...so it's not rumor anymore if Bakr's lawyer is commenting about it in the paper...can you comprehend that. What the hell do you think he was fired for...for making faces at the Superintendent? Like I stated before your part of the entrenched status quo and you need to go, hopefully to another school district. Marlborough is a great city to raise a family but it gets a bad rap because of the school system. Until recently the school configuration. No one wanted the eighth grade up at the HS and the elementry school configuration was all screwed up but thanks to Dr Pope and this school commitee it got corrected. And to mhsteacher you wouldn't know the truth if it bit you in the ass...you probably don't even live in Marlborough.

@c17a3 - Are you Pope's wife or Pope himself? How about if you post here th link to the Home Journal where we can read what Bakr's lawyer has said.

c17a3 - Here's what it says in the Journal:

While there has been no official comment regarding the specific reason for Bakr’s termination, the Journal has learned that the discipline relates, at least in part, to his administrative handling of a personnel matter. Specifically, sources have indicated that Pope is alleging Bakr did not respond properly when he learned of an improper relationship involving a high school staffer. The staffer was subsequently fired. Confoey would not confirm those details but he did restate that Bakr did nothing wrong.

Sources have also told the Journal that there were at least two other supervisor-level school employees who knew of the improper relationship and did not face any disciplinary action. Details of who knew what and how each supervisor handled their duties remain unclear. It is expected, however, that these details could be examined when the labor grievance is being heard to show that Bakr may have been singled out by Pope because of his status as a union head.

Your reading comp issues flared up again I see.
The article says:
1. there has been no official comment regarding the specific reason for Bakr’s termination
2. Confoey would not confirm those details but he did restate that Bakr did nothing wrong.
3. there were at least two other supervisor-level school employees who knew of the improper relationship and did not face any disciplinary action.
4. none of this is OFFICIAL the Journal, sources = rumor to me

Everyone here is looking for or hoping for the same thing. Aren't we? Namely, that the Marlborough school system benefits in the long run. I'm sure Bakr supporters would want him out if it turns out he was NOT "targeted" for his union association and he WAS neglect in his handling of the situation. I'm sure Pope supporters would want him out if it turns out he's guilty of targeting a valuable asset like Bakr when it COULD'VE BEEN AVOIDED and his reaction to the demonstration was justifiable or at least understandable and NOT an indication of incompetency or inability to handle a crisis.
As for the School Committee, I really doubt they're not able to discern if their choice in Pope was not the best choice and I really doubt they'll let the school system suffer in any imaginable way just to protect "their positions". From all of these comments on character and integrity, what this basically amounts to is that Bakr supporters are accusing Pope of having no interest in the school system's better welfare and they're accusing the school committee of the same. I find that incredulous.