Attleboro Schools Business Manager Calls it Quits

Attleboro Business Manager Marc Furtado today handed in his resignation after being offered a raise by the School Committee. The resignation came amidst allegations that he was involved in mishandling of the school department's contract with a private bus company described as a

In a letter to the School Committee, Furtado said he was resigning because the negative impact the job has had on his reputation and because he is reconsidering a job opportunity with the Somerset Regional School District. Furtado is one of the three finalists and the committee is expected to make its decision Thursday, Nov. 3, 2011 at 7 p.m.

"I am writing to inform you that I have come to conclude that the numerous
unprofessional, and at times personal, meetings and interactions I have
experienced over the past two years in general--and in the last two months
in particular--based on chronic, unfounded speculation has, in my opinion,
damaged my reputation professionally," Furtado wrote. "Therefore, I feel it is in my best interest to seek employment elsewhere at this time."

Furtado went on to say that it has been his pleasure to be part of Superintendent Pia Durkin's administrative team in Attleboro. 

"I owe her a great deal of gratitude for her unyielding support of my work and of me personally," he wrote. "This decision was all the more difficult given the outstanding relationship I have had with her throughout my tenure in Attleboro and will continue to have going forward. I informed the superintendent of my decision at 3 p.m. today."

"As for Marc Furtado's resignation, I find it ironic that it comes just a week before the election and there is blame being placed on committee members for doing the job the citizens of Attleboro have elected them to do,"

The resignation also comes the same day that Enegren made a public records request under the Massachusetts Public Records Law.

"As a school committee member emails to administration go unanswered, information requested is either not provided in a timely manner or not provided at all," Enegren wrote in her request. "I have requested the assistance of the Chair of the School Committee (Raymond DiCiaccio) and he has not supported my requests."

Enegren requested copies of all emails and/or written correspondence between DiCiaccio, Furtado and Durkin during the period of October 1, 2011 and November 2, 2011, copies of all emails and/or written correspondence and documents between these same individuals and Bloom Bus Company during the period of June 1, 2011 and November 2, 2011, and copies of all emails and/or written correspondence and documents between these same individuals with any member of the Attleboro City Council or Mayor of the City of Attleboro during the period of June 1, 2011 through November 2, 2011.

"In my opinion, too many "hand shake" deals were made and they are now coming full circle and the "deals" have to be explained -- this goes beyond the parking lot lease issue," Enegren said. "There are just too many unanswered questions surfacing."

Furtado and Durkin could not be reached for comment.