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E-mails between Ottoson principal, teacher probed |
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Written by Bob Sprague
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Sunday, 15 July 2007 |
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Page 2 of 3
 Superintendent Nate Levenson and Sue Sheffler at March 27 School Committee meeting.
Levenson has insisted his resume is accurate.
Following the public outcry, Levenson reversed his position, and Bouris came to terms on a contract. On April 10, the School Committee approved a two-year pact for the principal and set a series of goals she was encouraged to follow.
Then, in June, the e-mails surfaced, and Miller, the School Committee attorney, began investigating.
In the July 9 letter to Levenson, Miller wrote that the School Committee’s “staff acceptable use” policy concerning e-mails makes it clear that those using the school system have no expectation of privacy.” Under the acceptable-use policy, any email written on the Arlington public schools' system is considered to be a public document. Miller noted the e-mail exchanges took place mostly during school hours.
The letter from Miller also says that both Coughlin and Bouris deny that they were any more than friends, and Coughlin asserted he was only “joking around.”
Miller wrote: “I have no way of being certain if there was or is a romantic and/or sexual relationship between the two, though the correspondence certainly suggests that one existed. He concludes that in any case, “Mr. Coughlin’s conduct violated the acceptable use policy and further was grossly inappropriate.”
The e-mails provided so far range from Oct. 30, 2006, to June 12, 2007. Most are dated April and May 2007. Miller’s memo provides examples of the content:
“1. Hey beautiful, want to get naked? Chuck.
“2. Do you know what would look good on you? Me! My hot principal …”
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Last Updated ( Sunday, 04 May 2008 )
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