The Cambridge School Committee is currently engaged in a contentious superintendent search following the recent departure of former superintendent Victoria Greer.
Greer’s contract was terminated early in May 2024, leaving the district without a permanent leader since then.
The School Committee has narrowed down the candidates to three finalists: Garcia, currently serving as the assistant superintendent in Revere, David Murphy, the interim superintendent in Cambridge, and Magaly Sanchez, the chief family advancement officer for Boston Public Schools.
However, Garcia’s candidacy has come under scrutiny amidst ongoing allegations related to a lawsuit he has not publicly addressed, as well as troubling claims from a 2013 divorce.
The lawsuit involves significant financial losses Garcia claims to have suffered due to transactions with cryptocurrency platforms, with public records indicating that he withdrew over $750,000 from his bank accounts to invest in cryptocurrency.
He alleged that he later discovered the platform he used was fraudulent, leading him to sue Santander Bank for failing to flag these unusual withdrawals as potentially fraudulent.
The court ruled against Garcia, affirming that he withdrew the funds voluntarily and that the bank did not fail in their responsibilities.
As the School Committee considers their options, some members have privately questioned Garcia about his past, but he has refused to clarify his situation publicly.
Elizabeth Hudson, a committee member, expressed dissatisfaction with Garcia’s reluctance to address the lawsuit directly.
“It raises questions about his judgment that he didn’t fully answer for,” she remarked.
Criticism has also been aimed at the search process itself, which teachers and elected officials claim has not adequately vetted candidates for critical positions within the school district.
In particular, the Cambridge Education Association, representing over 1,500 teachers, has voiced concerns regarding the selection process, calling for a restart after a candidate named Adam Taylor, who previously made crude remarks about relationships between teachers and students, made it to the interview stage.
Taylor had apologized for his comments made during a 2019 talk, yet his selection for interviews sparked outrage, prompting calls for the School Committee to reevaluate their methods.
Teachers union president Chris Montero highlighted issues with the vetting process, stating, “We just didn’t do our due diligence.”
Additionally, the firm hired to facilitate the search, The Equity Process, has faced scrutiny for their approach.
Cyndi Weekes Bradley, the firm’s founder, defended their actions at a public hearing, insisting that the search committee’s directives guided their process.
Despite the controversy, Cambridge Mayor Denise Simmons voiced her confidence in the search firm and the overall process, describing it as inclusive and engaging.
As the committee approaches a decision, scheduled for October 6, the process reflects a blend of hope and concern among stakeholders regarding the future of leadership for the 17 schools that serve over 7,000 students and operate on a $280 million budget.
Garcia’s administrative qualifications, including a doctorate in urban education and fluency in six languages, stand in contrast to the legal and personal challenges he has faced.
The extensive media attention on his background has juxtaposed the urgent need for effective leadership with revelations of past misjudgments and controversies.
In addition to the lawsuit relating to his cryptocurrency ventures, earlier court documents reveal he was accused of domestic violence by his ex-wife during their divorce proceedings.
She alleged physical abuse and emotional degradation, claims that Garcia has denied.
The existence of these documents in the public domain raises questions about the transparency of the search process, particularly when candidates’ backgrounds can be quickly accessed online.
Glenn Koocher, director of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees, stated that the high level of confidentiality often surrounding such searches can lead to unexpected challenges.
“Sometimes it’s a Disney family movie, and it works out fine. Sometimes it’s a Hitchcock movie and it’s really strange,” Koocher noted, underscoring the unpredictable nature of these search processes.
While committee members and stakeholders express their sentiments about moving forward, there’s an underlying tension about the integrity of the selection process and the implications for the community.
Many advocates for the process to continue argue that, despite its flaws, it is crucial to prioritize the needs of students and educators by securing qualified leadership.
Hudson remains hopeful, suggesting that the successful candidates warrant a chance, asserting, “We owe it to the students and the families and the educators of Cambridge to move forward and choose the best leader for our schools.”
image source from：bostonglobe
