LEARN, the organization that runs the Marine Science Magnet High School in Groton, took the unusual step this month of hiring an attorney to investigate concerns raised by staff and students about the school’s former principal, Nicholas Spera.

Spera’s abrupt departure from the school and his hiring as the new director and principal at the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication, or ISAAC, in New London was followed by an explosion of comments about him on social media and in emails and calls to The Day. Spera, who had served as the principal of the marine magnet school since it opened in 2011, started this month at ISAAC.

The comments paint a picture of Spera as a polarizing figure, beloved for his energy and enthusiasm by some and condemned by others for creating a toxic environment where he belittled staff and played favorites with students.

There are now dueling online petitions: “Remove Spera from Education,” and another inviting people to “stop the defamation/smear campaign” against him on social media.

Kate Ericson, executive director of LEARN, a regional educational service center based in Old Lyme, also has received an outpouring of concerns and, after meeting with some staff and students, realized more had to be done to handle all the feedback. “It made sense to fully investigate to fully understand,” she said.

Meetings between the attorney and students and staff started last week. Students can make appointments using an anonymous online tool at the school.

LEARN sent a letter to staff Jan. 21 that indicates that once interviews are completed, the outside attorney will make recommendations “regarding how best to address such concerns, should they arise in the future.”

Spera’s decision to resign mid-year came after LEARN officials approached him about concerns being raised by staff, Ericson said. LEARN shared those complaints, received in November, with Spera on Dec. 30. Ericson declined to detail the concerns, citing it as a personnel issue, but said Spera had been informed that LEARN administrators were prepared to further investigate.

Spera's attorney, Theodore Heiser, issued a statement in response to questions from The Day.

"Dr. Spera is extremely disappointed and troubled by the social media campaigns presently ongoing on Facebook and on ipetitions.com. Dr. Spera is unable to respond to many of the individual opinions set forth in the various posts and comments because his response would necessarily require him to disclose confidential information regarding students and personnel," the statement reads. "Nonetheless, Dr. Spera admits that he was a passionate, enthusiastic and demanding leader of MSMHS who cared deeply about the success of all students. His demeanor at the school was absolutely consistent with the expected rigorous academic standards of the school. At no time, however, did Dr. Spera bully or harass any students or employees of the school."

The statement also says that, prior to discussing his resignation with LEARN’s leadership, Spera was not made aware of any complaints regarding his principalship. He "voluntarily resigned to pursue other educational opportunities," it said.

Letters between Spera and LEARN show that Spera requested the personal leave by using unused vacation days. He said in phone interviews he took the leave to visit a family member who is ill and resigned to take a new job as the head of ISAAC, an independent charter middle school.

In response to a Freedom of Information Act request, LEARN provided The Day with 70 pages of Spera's personnel file, including letters regarding his resignation and personal leave, notices of appointments and certifications, transcripts, references, annual compensation notices and a 2013 letter from The New England Association of Schools and Colleges announcing Marine Science Magnet High School's candidacy. LEARN did not include some portions of the file that it believes to be exempt, which "protect evaluative records of certified educators," according to LEARN Director of Human Resources Nat Brown.

The file includes a May 20, 2013, letter of written discipline from former LEARN Executive Director Eileen S. Howley addressed to Spera “for discriminatory behaviors exhibited at the school, specifically pregnancy discrimination.” The letter does not detail what those behaviors were.

In a statement to staff in relation to the discipline letter, Spera said he had developed an "intensive plan with Dr. Howley that will begin improving the working environment for you. This plan will allow your voices to be heard, decrease the level of unnecessary pressure, and provide you with all the tools, resources and support that you need and deserve as professionals."

"Today, I ask for your forgiveness and support as I look to become the best educational leader for all of you," he wrote. "I promise to work harder than ever before, to ensure that I am successful in providing a positive work environment that each one of you wishes to work and grow for years to come."

In a July 1, 2013, email, Spera informed Howley that he had completed trainings in Discrimination and Ethics & Boundaries for School Employees. He also received a certificate of attendance in November 2013 for a training session on Title IX, the federal law that oversees sexual discrimination for educational programs that receive federal assistance, and equity coordinators.

Ericson said from that time, LEARN "saw what we thought was an improvement." She said there were school visits and regular consultation with the LEARN Education Association, and no continuing problems were identified.

The file further included a Sept. 23, 2013, correspondence from Howley to Spera indicating that Spera needed to collaborate more, specifically with LEARN's special education department.

The file includes positive references that described Spera as "dynamic, bright, high energy, and with a strong background." Another said he "worked very well with the faculty" at a former school and he came into a situation where there was "considerable tension between the administration and faculty" but was "able to navigate these waters very well without compromising relationships." Another from a former school district referenced that he is "very dynamic," "extremely organized," "interacts well with kids," "can always count on him," and has a "passion for his work," where he headed up a research-based education initiative and was effective in addressing harassment issues.

Spera was the Magnet Schools of America Magnet Principal of the Year for Region 1 in 2016 and received the William Cieslukowski Outstanding First-Year Principal of the Year Award from the Connecticut Association of Schools in 2012.

More than a dozen former and current staff members and students from the marine magnet school sent emails or spoke to The Day with complaints about Spera’s behavior but wanted to remain anonymous out of fear of reprisals.

Some said that Spera would belittle and harass staff members who did not agree with him. Former students who spoke to The Day told stories of Spera disparaging children not part of his "inner circle."

Others said multiple verbal complaints were forwarded to LEARN but went unanswered.

Former marine magnet school special education staff member Marisa Thibodeau said there were countless inappropriate “comments, manipulations and competitions” and said Spera had “crossed the line” for her in 2013 when he called the parent of an autistic child who had visited the school during an open house.

The child had made a comment that the vents in the school were large enough to fit bodies. Spera brought up the comment to a district representative from Norwich and despite being assured the child was harmless and the comments were tied to his “exceptionality,” Spera could "not let it go,” Thibodeau said.

Spera called the child’s parent in front of other administrators and threatened to call police. When the father insisted his son was not violent, Spera told him, “Well, if you enroll him in Norwich Day, I have no reason to call police,’” Thibodeau said.

Spera’s supporters say he was a motivator who pushed his students.

Nazere Jones, who attended the school from 2012 to 2016, took issue with the comments on social media. “He did not pick favorites or treat people differently," Jones said in an email. “He treated everyone fairly and sought to motivate those who were lackadaisical in their own education.”

Dale McCurry said he doesn't know that he's met a principal who understands the trials and tribulations of a military child like Spera does. "His positive energy is contagious," McCurry said. "There's been a difference in both of my children going to that school. I've watched both my daughters become more active in school. Their grades have improved. They're actually happy to go to school."

In response to questions from The Day and ongoing social media discussions, ISSAC issued a statement.

“ISAAC is a unique school with a different structure than most schools. We are an independent Charter School with a Board of Directors who oversees the management of all operations," it said. "Our practice has always been to visit and observe all aspects of the school. We are confident that the performance and actions of our staff will continue to be professional and appropriate.

“Dr. Spera was hired to lead ISAAC because of his past exemplary leadership. His performance in his previous positions has given him the experience and knowledge to lead ISAAC,” it says.

The letter states that Spera has been meeting with staff and students, and that Lou Allen, the former interim executive director, would remain at ISAAC until Feb. 14 to ensure a smooth transition. Jaye Wilson, serving as interim principal, will remain part time until the end of the school year to maintain continuity.

Ericson said prior to Spera's hire at ISAAC, LEARN was asked questions related to the State Employee Verification Form but was not asked, nor did LEARN volunteer, information from Spera's personnel file.

Spera’s 2019-20 annual salary at the marine magnet school was $145,406.68, along with a $2,000 stipend for his doctorate degree. He also received a $5,000 stipend to serve as district emergency management coordinator project leader for LEARN’s emergency plan and a $5,000 stipend to serve as a district project leader to support principal round tables for the Office of Teaching and Learning, according to LEARN documents.

Spera has a three-year contract with ISAAC earning $175,000 annually.

g.smith@theday.com

k.drelich@theday.com