In the wake of charges brought against Tabor Academy Head of School John Quirk on January 31 in Bourne for driving a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol and driving at excessive speed, Tabor Academy’s Board of Trustees deliberated and came to a decision to retain Quirk as Head of School based on the institution’s “two-strike” policy and a belief in his ability to continue leading the prep school. On February 11 in Falmouth District Court, the case was continued without a finding, essentially leaving Quirk’s fate in the hands of the school’s Board of Trustees. On February 13, the board sent the following letter to the Tabor community.

            As you may be aware, our Head of School, John Quirk, was charged on January 31 with operating a vehicle while driving under the influence of alcohol and at an excessive speed. Many of us were with John for a trustee dinner on campus earlier in the evening, and we were surprised to learn of this incident in the following days.

            Thank you for your patience and support as we collected information and deliberated on the matter. The Board has met on multiple occasions and was guided by what is best for our students and our entire school community, as well as by Tabor’s mission and values.

            As you know, safety has been one of the highest priorities of our great school and we work tirelessly to reduce risk in our community through awareness, education and the enforcement of carefully constructed rules of conduct. Drinking and driving while speeding was a crime which posed an extreme danger and a violation of our rules of conduct, prompting the Tabor Board of Trustees to evaluate his ability to lead our school.

            After careful consideration, John will remain Head of School. Although gravely irresponsible, John’s recent action does not outweigh all that he has accomplished at Tabor or the continued progress we expect him to lead as Head of School. We believe that his legacy is found in the thousands of students who have graduated during his tenure and are now uplifting the world with the ability and purpose he has helped instill within them. John Quirk has contributed greatly to our efforts to fulfill the promise of Tabor Academy and offer students the greatest boarding school community experience. John has given his life to Tabor and, together with all of the faculty and staff, he has created a highly supportive community that values the experience of learning, one which includes the lessons derived from the mistakes, challenges and forgiveness along the educational path. Through the work of Tabor’s Disciplinary Committee and “two strike” policy, he has shown the students and families fairness including providing second chances and opportunities for redemption.

            John has expressed deep regret regarding his actions. As part of the goal of personal accountability which is embraced at Tabor, John will be addressing students and parents and all of our community stakeholders to express his apologies, and to share what he learned and continues to learn from this incident. John will also suffer the consequences of his actions as dictated by the justice system. In addition, although we cannot provide details, as would be the case for any human resource decision, the board has implemented a number of remedial and constructive disciplinary actions based on John’s transgression. The Board believes that these actions are tailored to, and appropriate for, the nature and gravity of the situation, and will ultimately make John a better Head of School.

            We wish to thank the many who have contacted us and provided input on how the news of this incident has affected you and your families. Thank you for sharing with us the importance Tabor has in your lives, and how John’s actions have impacted Tabor’s culture. An overwhelming number of you, while not approving of John’s actions, have been supportive of John and urged that he remain Head of School. Others have expressed concern and displeasure for his continued role. Although our decision was made based on our obligations as trustees, the overwhelming support for John helped to validate our belief in the value he has contributed to the school.

            It is our belief that John can continue to help Tabor fulfill its mission, and it is our commitment to you that we continue to monitor, care for, and protect all that we have built as Tabor heads into an extraordinary future.

Thank you,

Tabor Academy Board of Trustees

It’s been a long time since Mattapoisett voters have gone to the polls and found more than one candidate listed for an open seat, but the Selectman’s race in Mattapoisett is warming up with at least two potential candidates planning on submitting nomination papers. John DeCosta and Tyler Macallister have told The Wanderer they plan on running for election.

            DeCosta, 57, a lifelong Mattapoisett resident, said, “I come from a legacy of public service,” noting his father’s many years in town government. 

            DeCosta is a graduate of Old Colony Regional Vocational Technical High School, worked for fifteen years on the Mattapoisett Water Department, and is currently employed by the State of Massachusetts as a park supervisor for the Department of Conservation and Recreation.

            When asked why he wanted to become a selectman, DeCosta replied, “I want to bring a new voice to the Board of Selectmen.”

            DeCosta has been a volunteer member of the Fire Department for 17 years, a member of the Capital Planning Committee for 12 years, has one year on the Bike Path Committee, was co-chairman of the Open Space Committee for two years, and currently sits on the Community Preservation Committee where, until recently, he was the chairman for the last 12 years.

            Volunteerism and the importance of being involved in the community on many levels is the driving force that brought DeCosta to the decision to seek the open seat on the Board of Selectmen. “I’d like to get people back to being involved at town meeting,” he said.

            Regarding the future of the community, DeCosta said that the biggest issue facing the town was the lack of affordable housing. 

            “We are losing our kids,” he said.

            Other areas he noted as critical were careful consideration of capital needs, the school charter, and transparency in how tax dollars are spent. 

            “People don’t seem to feel we are transparent, in spite of all the information that is available,” he said. He empathized the importance of transparency at all levels.

            DeCosta said he was fiscally conservative. “We need to make sure when we add a long-term expense that it is on something we really need moving forward.”

            Macallister, 52, wants to resume his work on the Board of Selectmen. 

            “It was unfortunate that I had to resign to pursue the town administrator job,” he said of the protocol he was required to follow under the conflict of interest statute. Now with that opportunity no longer viable, he wants to return and pick up where he left off. “It was always my plan to try and return to the Board of Selectmen.”

            Regarding the 8.5 years he served on the Board of Selectmen, Macallister said he was proud of the work they had done. He said the trio brought different strengths and had made great strides in tackling difficult issues facing the community.

            Macallister was also on the Conservation Commission for five years and the Plymouth County Advisory Board. 

            Speaking for himself, Macallister said, “I tend to really pay attention, keeping an open mind before rendering an opinion.” He said that for the years he sat on the board he had worked with the Finance Committee bringing the town, “…a long way.” Of his return to the board, if that should come to pass, he was confident, “…we wouldn’t miss a beat.”

            On his list of challenges facing the town, Macallister said, “Our aging population,” was among the top priorities. He said that as the senior-citizen population increases, the role of the Council on Aging should be expanded. Other areas needing critical attention were the consolidation of town buildings and wharf repairs and improvement. “Our waterfront is a jewel.”

            Macallister was born and raised on Cape Cod and has lived in Mattapoisett for 20 years. He holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst as well as dual B.A. from UMass Dartmouth in Marine Biology and General Biology. Additionally, Macallister holds a Master Captain’s license. He said he was self-employed working in the renewable-energy industry and is a partner in a solar-business venture. He also owns and operates a charter fishing business.

            Town Clerk Kathleen Heuberger said that nomination papers for the May elections may be pulled between February 3 and March 27. 

            With six weeks before the closing date for filing nomination papers, there is still the opportunity for other residents to seek the town’s highest position. Time will tell if the field of candidates for Selectman stands at two.

            To learn about all open seats for all boards, committees and town offices, contact the town clerk’s office at 508-758-4100 extension 2.

By Marilou Newell