Wayland committee orders outside probe of superintendent, keeps him on the job

WAYLAND — November 10, 2022 — Wayland School Committee orders outside investigation of superintendent but keeps him on the job. The committee voted 4-0 with one abstention Thursday to engage an independent investigator into complaints about Superintendent Omar Easy's conduct at an Oct. 13 administrative council meeting, with a caveat that the committee will act if the investigator finds interference. Easy, the district's first Black superintendent and 18 months into the job, demanded the discussion be held in open session, telling the committee he has received no written complaint and does not know who accused him or of what. His attorney, Michael Long, called it improper to "smear" someone with anonymous allegations. Vice Chair Jeannie Grieco said reports described the Oct. 13 meeting as "controversial, heated and divisive" and added complaints that Easy failed to complete evaluations for at least three senior administrators. METCO Director LaToya Rivers and diversity director Caroline Hahn warned of "unavoidable harm" to families of color if Easy is removed.