Embattled Superintendent Nate Levenson has resigned Arlington's top school position, one he held for three stormy years. The School Committee, following a lengthy closed session with its attorney Aug. 7, unanimously accepted it.

No specific reason was provided for the resignation then, but a statement issued by the School Committee this afternoon refers to "Certain improprieties that occurred in 2007 have recently come to light during the course of arbitration proceedings regarding the dismissal of a teacher.

Globe, Aug. 9: Reaction to resignation

"The disclosure of these improprieties convinced Mr. Levenson that his continued employment as Superintendent of Schools was untenable. The School Committee agrees with this assessment."

School Committee statement

Committee Chairwoman Denise Burns urged the community to be patient and said she expected that, in the light of ongoing the arbitration, to have a "statement for the public in the next few days." One was issued sooner than that, on Aug. 8, and it is published in full here:

"The Arlington School Committee voted unanimously at a School Committee meeting on August 7, 2008 to accept Nate Levenson's resignation from his position as Superintendent of Schools, effective immediately. The attached letter of resignation was received by the School Committee earlier in the day [Aug. 7].

"Certain improprieties that occurred in 2007 have recently come to light during the course of arbitration proceedings regarding the dismissal of a teacher. The disclosure of these improprieties convinced Mr. Levenson that his continued employment as Superintendent of Schools was untenable. The School Committee agrees with this assessment. It would be ill-advised for the School Committee to comment publicly on the nature of these improprieties while the litigation is ongoing.

"However, our attorneys have informed us that they have an ethical obligation to report these circumstances to the arbitrator and the attorney for the teacher and the Committee concurs. Our attorneys have also advised us that they do not believe that the recently discovered improprieties should have an effect on the final outcome of the arbitration proceedings.

"By vote of 5-2 (No - Burns and Curran), the School Committee designated Assistant Superintendent, Kathleen Bodie, to take on the duties of the Superintendent until it decides what further action should be taken. The Committee is confident that the Arlington school community will unite in support of its efforts to work collaboratively to move forward in the best interest of children of Arlington.

"The arbitration, continuing since January, involves Chuck Coughlin, a teacher at the Ottoson who was fired Aug. 9, 2007, for his role inan alleged forged e-mail. Stavroula Bouris, then Ottoson principal, was dismissed later that month."

Kathleen Bodie's statement

Also on Aug. 8, Kathleen Bodie, assistant superintendent, who was named interim superintendent, issued the following statement. She is also a member of the Winchester School Committee:

"With great sadness, I acknowledge the resignation of Nate Levenson as Superintendent of the Arlington Public Schools. I have worked closely with Nate over the past three years. Nate initiated many positive changes, including the reading intervention program, improved delivery of special education services, and a variety of cost containment initiatives.

"We shared a similar belief that our most important responsibility was to ensure the best possible education for our students. I wish to reassure parents, students and the residents of Arlington that the school department will continue to focus on the welfare of our students and on teaching and learning. I look forward to working with the members of the Arlington School Committee, my fellow administrators, teachers, students, and staff as we continue with this work.

"I can think of no higher calling than the education of our children and I ask for the support of the community as we move forward. Our task is not without its challenges but with a common focus we can continue to provide Arlington students with an excellent education. "

Levenson, a businessman who turned in midlife to education and started the Arlington job in July 2005, wrote in his Aug. 7 letter of resignation: “Despite the many successes, however, these have been very hard years for me personally. The community is divided, and differences of opinion often turned to very public and personal attacks. The intense political climate of last year has been especially difficult.”

The committee voted 5-2 to name Assistant Superintendent Bodie as interim superintendent. Opposed were Joseph Curran and Burns.

The committee also discussed, but took no action on, an effort to name former Superintendent Kathleen Donovan as interim. Favoring that course were Curran and Burns.

Burns noted that the information discussed in closed session was confidential and should not be shared with the public.

The committee supported welcoming advice from the Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents and the Massachusetts Association of School Committees.

The committee also gave Burns the authority for all appropriate housekeeping duties in matters related to the superintendent. (No motion was voted on seeking to "seize" Levenson's computer equipment.)

Present among the 10 people in the audience was former School Comittee members Martin Thrope and Mike Healy. Thrope voted to support hiring Levenson in 2005 but soured on his tenure.

In an e-mail to supporters Aug. 8, Spangler wrote, in part:

"I've spoken with Kathy [Bodie] in the past 24 hours, and I'm confident she is ready to step in immediately, and work hard to ensure continuity through a difficult period of transition. Kathy and the rest of the administrative team have my full support ....

"For the sake of our children, we have to keep moving, building on the past but not returning to it."

Levenson's RESIGNATION LETTER:

"It is with great sadness that I share with you my decision to resign as Superintendent of the Arlington Public Schools, effective immediately.  I have enjoyed working with a talented staff and a community that is dedicated to education and I am very proud of what we have been able to accomplish over the last three years.

"The reading intervention program, support for the social and emotional needs of students, improvements in special education, enhanced English language learning programs, and a true culture of collaboration and teamwork are important achievements that have helped the children of Arlington. It was our thoughtful, out of the box, financial management that made these improvements possible during -- and despite three years of deep budget cuts.

"Despite the many successes, however, these have been very hard years for me personally. The community is divided, and differences of opinion often turned to very public and personal attacks. The intense political climate of last year has been especially difficult.

"I'm glad that the community recognizes all of my decision and actions as Superintendent have always put the needs of children, teaching and learning first. At times these decisions have been unpopular with some, especially my decision to dismiss a principal and teacher for inappropriate conduct.

"I am confident that the decisions I made were the right ones, supported by solid evidence. But even as I know this to be true, recent developments in the appeals process are showing signs of fueling an already heated divide in the community and complicating an already complicated arbitration. I hope my resignation will help the district begin to heal.

"I believe I have been the agent of change I was hired to be. More importantly, these changes have received strong support from parents, teachers and administrators. In the process, however, I have become a lightning rod for many of the growing pains in the community.

"I appreciate the School Committee's support and by their recent three-year extension of my contract, but for my own personal well-being and for the healing of the town, I think it is time for someone else to continue the important work of leading the Arlington Public Schools from good to great.

"I will miss Arlington, but it is time for me to move on."

Update: Aug. 8: Levenson's statement to media

On Aug. 8, Levenson issued a separate statement to the media, explaining a bit more about why he resigned:

"My decision to leave Arlington was based on my desire to avoid yet another round of nasty, public attacks. My personal well-being and the school system couldn't take any more controversy. The town needs to focus on solving a huge funding shortfall in future years, and this will require cooperation from all involved.

"I knew that we were on the verge of another divisive issue. During preparation for the ongoing appeal of my decision to dismiss two employees it recently came to light that my personal notes taken in the stressful and fast developing first days of the inappropriate email saga of a year ago, were inaccurate on one point. These were personal notes and never shared with anyone. Prior to my speaking with the School Committee, the public, or making any decisions, a complete and thorough investigation was completed, and accurate record documented.

"Based on the last three years, I knew many would find this a small issue, but those that oppose my decisions and the new direction for the district would turn this into fuel for the ugly division that splits the community. I'm proud of the changes we have made in the Arlington Public Schools, sad that they generated such resentment by some, and wish there was a way to move the schools from good to great a less disruptive way."

Update Aug 9: No COMMENTs ON THE RECORD

YourArlington contacted a number of Arlington residents knowledgeable about school issues to comment about Levenson's resignation. None who responded would speak for the record. Some who have been outspoken on the Arlington list did not respond to requests for comment or acknowledge recipt.

Most who did respond said they did not have enough detail about the situation to make an informed comment.

One, speaking on background, said that making Bodie the temporary interim is the norm when a superintendent resigns. The School Committee was praised for deciding to bring in statewide organizations representing superintendents and school committees to brief them about their options.

Some cited progress under Levenson -- in budgeting, in special education and in his connection to Fred Ryan, the Arlington police chief. His skills in planning were noted.

One said his downfall was likely political -- he should have made much more contact with the community, to build his personal support before he took unpopular but needed actions. That became clear after he announced in March 2007 that he would not renew Bouris's contract. After public outrage, he reversed his decision. The revelation about e-mails followed that July.