A federal judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by Dr. Vito Perrone , an educator whose offer to become superintendent of a Massachusetts school district was rescinded after he addressed members of the School Committee as "ladies" in an email. The case drew national attention and multiple resignations from the Easthampton School Committee in 2023.
Perrone had been offered the superintendent position by the Easthampton School Committee with a proposed salary of $151,000, contingent on successful contract negotiations. He verbally indicated his acceptance, but the offer was later withdrawn following his emailed contract requests and use of the term "ladies," which was considered by some committee members as inappropriate.
Job offer rescinded after contract negotiation email
As detailed in court documents cited by the Boston, Perrone sent an email with the subject line "contract negotiation requests" in which he addressed the officials as "Ladies" and proceeded to request annual salary increases, additional vacation days, and more sick leave. The total amounted to 70 days, or roughly 14 weeks, of paid time off in his first year.
Former School Committee member Cynthia Kwiecinski told her colleagues she was "insulted" by the greeting and described it as "unprofessional and dismissive," according to the Boston. Other members reportedly saw the word "ladies" as a "microaggression."
Committee members raised concerns before formal negotiations
The Boston reported that Kwiecinski cited "too many concerns before we had even begun negotiating the rest of the contract," and described Perrone's requests as "alarm bells." Despite Perrone apologizing multiple times in a follow-up meeting, Kwiecinski stated the committee was not interested in a leader who needed to be "chastised," according to the Boston.
The School Committee voted 5-1 to rescind the job offer. Perrone subsequently filed a lawsuit, claiming the committee had violated his right to due process and the principle of fair dealing.
Judge rules no enforceable contract existed
US District Court Judge Mark Mastroianni dismissed the case, stating that Perrone's email amounted to a counteroffer and not an acceptance. According to the ruling, "There is no plausible support, whether direct or inferential, for (Perrone's) legal conclusion that an enforceable contract was created by the March 29 email," as reported by the Boston.
Adam Simms, representing the City of Easthampton, said the legal team believes "that Judge Mastroianni's decision is sound," as quoted by the Boston.
Perrone did not comment to the Boston, but he is currently serving as superintendent of the Hampshire Regional School District.
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Perrone had been offered the superintendent position by the Easthampton School Committee with a proposed salary of $151,000, contingent on successful contract negotiations. He verbally indicated his acceptance, but the offer was later withdrawn following his emailed contract requests and use of the term "ladies," which was considered by some committee members as inappropriate.
Job offer rescinded after contract negotiation email
As detailed in court documents cited by the Boston, Perrone sent an email with the subject line "contract negotiation requests" in which he addressed the officials as "Ladies" and proceeded to request annual salary increases, additional vacation days, and more sick leave. The total amounted to 70 days, or roughly 14 weeks, of paid time off in his first year.
Former School Committee member Cynthia Kwiecinski told her colleagues she was "insulted" by the greeting and described it as "unprofessional and dismissive," according to the Boston. Other members reportedly saw the word "ladies" as a "microaggression."
Committee members raised concerns before formal negotiations
The Boston reported that Kwiecinski cited "too many concerns before we had even begun negotiating the rest of the contract," and described Perrone's requests as "alarm bells." Despite Perrone apologizing multiple times in a follow-up meeting, Kwiecinski stated the committee was not interested in a leader who needed to be "chastised," according to the Boston.
The School Committee voted 5-1 to rescind the job offer. Perrone subsequently filed a lawsuit, claiming the committee had violated his right to due process and the principle of fair dealing.
Judge rules no enforceable contract existed
US District Court Judge Mark Mastroianni dismissed the case, stating that Perrone's email amounted to a counteroffer and not an acceptance. According to the ruling, "There is no plausible support, whether direct or inferential, for (Perrone's) legal conclusion that an enforceable contract was created by the March 29 email," as reported by the Boston.
Adam Simms, representing the City of Easthampton, said the legal team believes "that Judge Mastroianni's decision is sound," as quoted by the Boston.
Perrone did not comment to the Boston, but he is currently serving as superintendent of the Hampshire Regional School District.
TOI Education is on WhatsApp now. Follow us here.
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