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Uxbridge school district parts ways with superintendent charged with OUI
Former Superintendent Michael Baldassarre agreed to a separation agreement, effective Tuesday. He had been on administrative leave since Jan. 21.
The Uxbridge school superintendent who was arrested in January for allegedly driving while intoxicated has parted ways with the district, the School Committee told families this week.
Michael Baldassarre, of Concord, pleaded not guilty to two misdemeanors and two civil motor vehicle infractions, including operating under the influence of liquor and speeding, according to Clinton District Court records.
Baldassarre agreed to a separation agreement, effective Tuesday, School Committee Chair Benjamin Casper wrote in a letter to families. Baldassarre had been on paid administration leave since the committee sidelined him on Jan. 21.
“This decision was made after careful consideration of what is in the best interest of our students, staff, and the district as a whole,” Casper wrote. “Our focus now is on ensuring a smooth transition and maintaining stability for our students, educators, and families.”
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Baldassarre’s contract, signed last year, was initially set to expire in 2027. To dismiss or suspend the superintendent, the Committee can do so with “good cause,” meaning “any grounds put forth by the Committee that are not arbitrary, irrational, unreasonable, in bad faith or irrelevant to the sound operation of the school system.”
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“The past 32 months have seen improvements and have presented challenges and at the end it is clear that a change in leadership is necessary to move our district forward in the best manner. While there have been differences in approach and philosophy, we recognize Superintendent Baldassarre’s efforts and service during his time with us,” Casper said.
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The contract didn’t mention any compensation if released with good causes. Baldassarre made $172,000 for the first year of the contract, which would have ended June 30.
Karen Dwyer, the former assistant superintendent, was named interim superintendent in January shortly after Baldassarre was charged. Casper told families that she will continue to serve in that role, but the Committee will announce details of a superintendent search process “in the coming days.”
Baldassarre was pulled over by Massachusetts State Police troopers around 2:30 a.m. Jan. 18 on I-495 in Bolton. He was allegedly traveling 100 mph in a 65 mph zone and almost crashed into a nearby vehicle, a trooper wrote in charging documents.
The trooper alleged that Baldassarre’s eyes were “red, glassy, and bloodshot. His speech was slurred and had a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emanating from his breath as he was speaking.”
Baldassarre admitted to drinking wine three hours before, according to the court docs, and refused to do multiple field sobriety tests, including a breath test, before he was arrested, the trooper wrote. Troopers found a receipt from a Worcester cigar bar from 11 p.m. that included the purchase of multiple alcoholic beverages and a cigar.
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Baldassarre is due back in court Friday. His lawyer did not return a request for comment Wednesday.
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