Springgate v. School Committee of Mattapoisett

Taken in isolation, the misdeeds with which the school committee charged the plaintiff, Marjorie Spring-gate, in discharge proceedings under G. L. c. 71, § 42, may seem less than fateful. However, taken together over a twelve-month period those transgressions, if proved, justified the school committee’s decision, made June 20,1978, to dismiss Springgate, a tenured teacher, for incapacity, conduct unbecoming a teacher and insubordination. Spring-gate appealed (G. L. c. 71, § 43A, as amended through St. 1977, c. 671) from the school committee’s decision to dismiss her. A Superior Court judge,…