SMITHFIELD, R.I. (WJAR) — The superintendent of Smithfield Public Schools has resigned as an investigation into alleged antisemitic hazing at the high school nears its conclusion.
Dr. Dawn Bartz announced her resignation in a letter addressed to the school community, obtained by NBC 10 News. In the letter, Bartz highlighted several accomplishments from her three-and-a-half-year tenure and thanked students, families, educators and staff.
“As I conclude my service as Superintendent of Smithfield Public Schools, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to the students, families, educators, staff, and community partners who make this district such a special place,” Bartz wrote. “It has been an honor to work alongside you over the past three and a half years.”
Bartz had been placed on leave in November amid an investigation into allegations that a Jewish freshman was targeted in a hazing incident involving members of the Smithfield High School varsity football team.
NBC 10 News first reported the allegations on Oct. 9. According to information previously released, the student was allegedly doused with Lysol inside a school bathroom.
Five football players were initially removed from the team for the remainder of the season but were later reinstated. When asked about the reversal in October, Bartz issued a one-sentence statement saying, “The disciplinary process has concluded and we will not be discussing details involving students.”
Smithfield Town Council President John Tassoni said the situation has deeply divided the community.
“It’s a long time coming,” Tassoni said of Bartz’s resignation. “A lot of people are angry about what happened. A lot of people don’t know the truth of what happened, nor do I.”
Tassoni said the investigative report is expected to be delivered to the school committee sometime next week. He also raised concerns about the process, noting the investigation was conducted by the school committee’s own attorney rather than an independent third party.
When asked whether the school committee has been transparent, Tassoni said, “No, absolutely not. They haven’t been transparent with us as the council or the town manager.”
Pressed on what might be behind the lack of transparency, Tassoni said, “I don’t know. That’s a $64 question.”
Tassoni said if the findings appear biased or incomplete, the town council would consider hiring its own independent investigator.
“I want an independent voice,” Tassoni said. “I think the community needs an independent voice.”
Some residents echoed those concerns.
Edward Perlman, who is Jewish and the parent of two former Smithfield High School students, said he was shocked by the allegations and frustrated by how the situation was handled.
“They should have got an outside third-party person to deal with this, and then we wouldn’t be having all these questions like we have now,” Perlman said. “Whether it’s anti-Semitic or not, I mean, it just went too far and the school should have said something.”
The Jewish Alliance of Greater Rhode Island said the focus must remain on student safety and accountability.
In a statement, President and CEO Adam Greenman said the organization cannot speculate on the reasons behind Bartz’s resignation but remains committed to ensuring Smithfield schools are safe and inclusive.
“While we can’t speculate on the specific reasons behind the superintendent’s decision to resign, we remain focused on what matters most: that Smithfield schools become a place where Jewish students and all students feel safe, valued, and protected from bias and harassment,” Greenman wrote in an email to NBC10.
The organization said it has been actively engaged with the Smithfield community since the allegations surfaced and hopes to work with district leadership moving forward to prevent future incidents.
NBC 10 News also reached out to the attorney representing several parents of students on the football team. He said he learned of Bartz’s resignation through the news and declined further comment.
The Smithfield School Committee is scheduled to meet Monday night at Smithfield High School, where members are expected to vote on whether to formally accept Bartz’s resignation.
NBC 10’s Leanna Faulk reports.
