Danvers School Committee meets, but no vote taken on superintendent after hazing controversy

DANVERS, Mass. — The Danvers School Committee chair speaking out Monday in a curious twist in a reported hazing incident shrouded in secrecy.

“There was no motion made at the meeting tonight,” said Eric Crane, chair of the Danvers School Committee.

Last week, outraged parents called for the superintendent of Danvers Schools, Dr. Lisa Dana, to step down. On Monday night, the School Committee met in executive session.

“There was no vote taken and there is no change in Dr. Dana’s status,” Crane said.

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Dr. Dana was the subject of parents’ ire a week ago following reports of hazing on the high school hockey team.

“You are all complicit,” said one outraged parent last week.

A player told the Boston Globe teammates hit him with a plastic sex toy for not taking part in a locker room ritual of yelling of a racial slur. The school committee said it did investigate, even turning the matter over to Danvers Police. But the student declined to file a criminal complaint so, police couldn’t file charges.

Parents felt they were left in the dark. Now the chair said the School Committee will do better.

“I want parents to know that as a district, as a school committee, sll of us are committed to addressing issues that come up and continuing to work to making this district equitable. We know we’ve got work to do,” Crane said.

As for students, we asked if they feel safe playing sports in Danvers.

“Absolutely, no question,” Crane said.

Crane also said he expects a more detailed statement about what transpired in Monday’s Executive Session in the next day or two.

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