Levenson in happier times.

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.

"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."