LAWRENCE — As police officers carried out another computer from School Department offices last night, School Committee members were planning a special meeting for later this week to discuss what comes next for School Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy.
At least two members would like to see Laboy placed on indefinite suspension with pay while a criminal investigation into allegations of misconduct — described only as "financial improprieties" — is played out in upcoming weeks.
Others are not so sure.
Police raided Laboy's office Friday night, seizing boxes of records and computer equipment. While school officials know there is an investigation being conducted by Essex County District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett's office, they have yet to see a report or any documents detailing any alleged misconduct on Laboy's part.
The superintendent could be back on the job by the end of the week after a more than monthlong leave from the district after he checked himself into a hospital for work-related stress.
Mayor Michael Sullivan confirmed that Laboy went for a physical examination yesterday.
School Committee member Sammy Reyes, who spoke to detectives about financial misconduct allegations regarding Laboy the day before the raid, hopes to suspend Laboy before he can set a foot back inside his 255 Essex St. office.
"I think it would be ridiculous for any member not to vote for the suspension," Reyes said yesterday. "I believe he shouldn't come back. What if some other allegations come up and they need to go into the office again? He cannot be in there."
Reyes needs five of seven members to vote for the suspension.
Reyes originally planned to call for Laboy's suspension at tonight's School Committee meeting. But he later learned that under state law, the committee must give Laboy and his attorney 48 hours notice of any meeting where they will discuss him and possible disciplinary action.
The special meeting will be posted this afternoon, and members will likely meet Thursday or Friday night in executive session, Sullivan said. Sullivan said he doubts anything will be said about Laboy at tonight's School Committee meeting. Since he is still on leave, Laboy will not attend.
"Something will be set up for the end of the week," Sullivan said. "I think it's important the committee meets and has a dialogue. I'm sure they have questions. It's healthy."
Sullivan said the purpose of the meeting, as far as he was concerned, was to discuss the investigation. If a member decides to make a motion to suspend Laboy, it would have to be seconded and voted on by committee members.
Member James Vittorioso said he will second Reyes' motion to suspend Laboy. But he isn't so sure other members will vote in favor.
"I'll be surprised if we get the number of votes needed to suspend him," he said. "To be frankly honest, (committee members) like him and he has employed some of their relatives. They're in a tough spot. ... He should be suspended. It's another slap in the face to good, hardworking taxpayers in this city and their children."
It is unknown how other members will vote.
Martina Cruz, Greg Morris, Priscilla Baez and Peter Larocque did not return phone calls yesterday.
Sullivan, chairman of the School Committee, and Larocque told The Eagle-Tribune over the weekend they had not made up their minds whether Laboy can effectively lead the district while a criminal investigation is conducted.
Sullivan said whether or not committee members vote to suspend the superintendent later this week, Laboy will need the committee's approval to return from his leave.
They will have to approve a doctor's re-entry report. The whole process should take a few days, Sullivan said.
Reyes said he only wants the committee to do what would be done under similar circumstances — suspend an employee who is under investigation until that investigation is concluded.
"It's not different," he said.
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