Pawtucket, R.I., schools chief sues city officials, alleging they forced her out of her job
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'Upon information and belief, Plaintiff's detractors did not want an African American (female) Superintendent,' the lawsuit states.
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When reached by the Globe, Royal said she would be available for comment later Friday.
In a statement, Grebien said the city 'vigorously disagrees with the claims made in the lawsuit' and said the matter 'may be an attempt to shift attention away from the challenges the administration has faced.'
'The City will work collaboratively to support the most diverse School Committee in Pawtucket's history and Acting Superintendent as they work to pull the pieces together and change the trajectory of the district,' Grebien said.
Grebien's statement did not address claims about the alleged withholding of approximately $3.2 million in school funds.
'We remain committed to prioritizing the education of our students and the well-being of our teachers,' the mayor said. 'As this is ongoing litigation, we are unable to comment further at this time.'
The lawsuit was first reported by WPRI.
Royal began her tenure in Pawtucket in July 2023 after working in the Providence public school district. Previously, Royal worked in education in Florida for several decades.
This breaking news story will be updated.
Christopher Gavin can be reached at
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