The person who delivered e-mails to the superintendent in June was concerned that Ottoson teachers were being used in a public campaign that had a private dimension, according to a report by the School Committee attorney investigating e-mails between an Ottoson teacher and principal. The report does not name the person, teacher or staff member involved in delivering e-mails between Chuck Coughlin and Principal Stavroula Bouris.

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The July 17 report from attorney Alan S. Miller to Superintendent Nate Levenson is marked "confidential." School Committee Chair Susan Lovelace wrote in an e-mail July 19 that she decided to make the report public to various media outlets because, in part, she was "deeply concerned about speculation in the Arlington community."

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The report from Miller, with the subject "Chuck Coughlin Supplemental Report," notes the concerns from the source who provided the e-mails. It says in full:

 

"Access of Emails:

"On July 9, 2007, I sent you a report of my investigation of potential inappropriate conduct by Chuck Coughlin. This supplemental report is a follow up on other information which has come to light concerning Mr. Coughlin and Ms. Bouris. 

"It is also appropriate to comment on how the emails were obtained. As stated in my earlier report, you advised me that the emails came to you totally unsolicited.

 

"Although I had no reason to question that representation, a thorough investigation required that I explore the circumstances under which they were accessed and delivered to you.

 

"I have talked to 'the individual' who delivered the emails to you, and it was confirmed that you neither participated in nor had any knowledge of the access.

 

"'The individual' accessed the emails at the request of an unidentified teacher, who, along with other teachers, was concerned that teachers were being used by Mr. Coughlin and Ms. Bouris in the public dispute regarding the renewal of Ms. Bouris’ contract.

 

"As you are aware, Mr. Coughlin 'led the charge' for her renewal. According to 'the individual,' the personal conduct of Ms. Bouris and Mr. Coughlin during the period before and during the
dispute caused many teachers in the school to speculate that they were having an affair.

 

"'The individual' was told, that because of the speculation of the affair, teachers were questioning Mr. Coughlin’s motives in leading the public support of Ms. Bouris.

 

"'The individual' believed that Mr. Coughlin’s and Ms. Bouris’ conduct was contrary to the best interest of the Arlington School community and that there was an obligation to bring it to the Superintendent’s attention.

 

"Based upon that belief, the emails were accessed and delivered to you.

 

"'The individual,' however, has denied leaving the additional batch of emails on the Superintendent's chair.

 

"There is an issue as to whether 'the individual' acted appropriately in carrying out the request of the teacher and that issue should be explored further."

 

Miller's report concludes: 

 

"However, based upon a ruling by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, even if the emails were wrongfully obtained, the employer may use them in disciplinary proceedings as long as the employer had no role in their access."