300 supporters of Diman Superintendent Aubin pack school committee meeting

The resistance showed up in full force to Tuesday’s meeting of the Diman Regional School Committee.

About 300 supporters of Superintendent-Director Thomas Aubin sat in the auditorium during the meeting of the Greater Fall River Regional School Committee. It was the first time since the committee's Dec. 6 vote against renewing Aubin's contract that those displeased with the committee's decision got the chance to address the committee.

The committee allotted time for 10 people to speak for three minutes during public comment, though several more requested the opportunity to speak, according to Diana Brum, co-administrator on the Facebook page used by Aubin’s supporters, Orange and Black Fight Back.

The crowd applauded frequently during statements, when most speakers called on the school committee to reconsider their 5-1 vote of non-renewal.

“If issues with Mr. Aubin arose, where were the corrective actions or recommendations? So we’re here to grant you a gift. You made a bad call, and a bad decision, all you have to do now is have a meeting and renew Mr. Aubin’s contract,” said Diman alum Adam Banville.

His comment elicited a round of applause and cheers from the parents, students and faculty in the audience. Brum said 4,000 people signed a petition calling on the committee to renew Aubin’s contract, which expires on June 30.

Speakers outlined several reasons why they believe Aubin is fit to lead, or is indeed the best person to lead Diman Regional Vocational Technical High School.

One of the speakers was Police Chief Albert Dupere, who said current and prospective officers who attended Diman, and “no matter what capacity (Aubin) was in he, made an impression on these young adults.”

Dupere said the first ever co-op program with Diman students and the department started thanks to Aubin’s support, and that Aubin involved the department to ensure a new or renovated school building is safe for students and faculty.

“Mr. Aubin’s doing a great job. He’s brought the school forward he’s improved the relationship with the police department, and I hear from other city departments that they enjoy the relationship we have with Diman,” said Dupere.

Dupere clarified that he wanted to address the committee, and that Aubin did not ask him to.

Several speakers spoke about accomplishments they observed under Aubin’s tenure, citing grant awards, a decreased budget deficit for the practical nursing program, and respect that Aubin commands from students. Many wanted the committee to explain why they didn’t renew his contract.

Diman graduate and parent Kelly Duarte said “with the exception of one or two” members the committee has not explained the reason for their non-renewal votes, leaving the school community to rely on Aubin’s 2016-2017 performance review for clues.

“That leads to speculation and rumors,” she said.

Following public comment, Fall River representative Rev. Jay Mello said the school committee should discuss what they heard at the meeting, noting, in particular, the occasion of Chief Dupere’s statement.

“Not to respond to them would be irresponsible,” said Mello.

Mello motioned to discuss the matter in the executive session that was listed on Tuesday’s agenda to discuss Principal Elvio Ferreira’s contract.

Gregory Brilhante, the attorney for the school committee, said that would violate Open Meeting Law because state law limits the topics that can be discussed in open meeting, and those topics must be listed on a meeting agenda in advance.

“If you attempt to go into executive session to discuss Mr. Aubin, you would be then absolutely violating the Open Meeting Law,” he said, the crowd jeering.

Chairman Paul Jennings can choose to put the topic on a future meeting agenda, said Brilhante. Mello said he didn’t know the rules of Open Meeting Law, but that “there needs to be some forum where we discuss what we heard tonight.”

Jennings, of Westport, then said the committee has to move onto the next item on the meeting agenda. “We can’t discuss it tonight."

Mello asked Jennings, more than once, when the committee will discuss supporters’ comments, and Jennings said Mello was out of order.

“Father, right now you’re out of order,” he said.

Mello was the sole vote in favor of bringing Aubin back next year, a vote he cast at his first meeting as a voting member following his late-November appointment to the committee by Mayor Jasiel Correia II.

Jennings passed over an item on the agenda to discuss the superintendent search and replacement process, saying the matter will be taken up at the committee’s next meeting on Feb. 14.

Asked after the meeting whether he would place a discussion of Aubin’s contract on the next school committee meeting agenda, Jennings said: “I’m not certain at this point right now. It may become a moot point if they’re going in the direction of a new superintendent.”

Aubin’s supporters will keep coming back to meetings until the committee decides to reconsider it’s vote, or sheds for light on the reasons for it, said Diman graduate Timothy Gagnon.

“We are not going anywhere and we are prepared to continue this effort for as long as it takes, to either reverse this decision, or replace the committee,” Gagnon said, to a round of applause.

This story will be updated.