City and Schools Clash Over IT Department Control, Legal Battle Looms

In a continuing dispute over the management of the Information Technology (IT) department, officials from the city and the school district in Massachusetts have exchanged accusations regarding compliance with a court order. Each side claims the other is responsible for ongoing operational dysfunction, as tensions rise over the control of IT services.

Background of the Dispute

The conflict escalated when Mayor D.J. Beauregard issued an executive order earlier this year to merge the school and city IT departments in a bid to reduce costs and protect teacher positions. School officials swiftly sued to block the merger, arguing that it could jeopardize essential school grants and exceeded Beauregard’s authority. In response, a judge intervened, blocking the merger but allowing for cooperative measures such as information sharing and system access to proceed.

In court documents filed this week, school officials accused city IT Director Luis Santiago of undermining departmental morale and disrupting operations. According to school attorney Peter McNulty, Santiago’s actions have directly interfered with staff supervision and contributed to a toxic work environment. He stated, “These statements, coupled with a pattern of dismissive and demoralizing communication, have led to concerns regarding heightened instability within the department.”

Claims and Counterclaims

Santiago has defended his actions, claiming that he has been obstructed from fulfilling the court-allowed aspects of Beauregard’s executive order, particularly regarding access to school systems. In an affidavit, he acknowledged that his tone in meetings might be perceived as direct but insisted that his frustrations stem from repeated delays and lack of cooperation. “I strive to remain professional at all times and have apologized when needed,” he wrote.

Issues of trust have surfaced prominently in this dispute. School Technology Director Nancy Lopez noted that during discussions about the merger, staff expressed serious concerns about leadership under Santiago. “As of now, all of those staff have followed through and left their positions,” Lopez stated. She described the departures as indicative of a systemic issue characterized by broken trust and poor communication, which she believes has not been adequately addressed.

In a notable email exchange, Lopez informed School Committee Vice Chair Laurie Keegan about employees resigning due to concerns over Santiago’s potential oversight of the school’s IT department. “I am no longer comfortable under the oversight of someone who shows a clear lack of professional respect,” Lopez emphasized in her correspondence.

As the situation deteriorates, Santiago characterized the increasingly adversarial nature of meetings as a byproduct of the school’s “persistent obstruction.” Beauregard has been kept informed of these developments, forwarding key communications to City Solicitor Paul O’Neill for review.

A jury trial is scheduled for March 25, 2025, as both sides prepare to present their arguments regarding the future of IT management in the school district.