Wayland Superintendent Omar Easy had previously alleged discrimination in Everett

WAYLAND — Last month, Superintendent of Schools Omar Easy filed a complaint with the state arguing he was discriminated against based on his race after being placed on paid administrative leave by the School Committee.

The complaint, which was filed with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), has not yet gotten a ruling.

It's also not the first complaint that Easy, who is Black, has filed with the commission.

While he was executive vice principal of academics for Everett Public Schools, Easy in 2019 claimed he was passed over for a chance to become the district's superintendent due to his race. He filed a complaint with the MCAD in December of that year, making that allegation.

The MCAD dismissed the claim in 2020 without a full hearing by the commission.

In his complaint, Easy cited an article in the Everett Independent, a local newspaper, that reported that several School Committee members said they would not support Easy as a candidate to become superintendent — even though, at the time, he hadn't even applied for the position.

He did apply, in person, for the position in September 2019, he wrote in his complaint. When he was informed the following month that he would not be advancing to the interview round, Easy said he attended a School Committee meeting to formally request that he be allowed to interview.

Complaint filed:Wayland superintendent of schools says he is victim of 'racist micro-aggressions'

Easy said in another Everett Independent article, in December 2019 after a new superintendent had been named, a School Committee member was quoted as miscategorizing Easy's education.

"It is my understanding that no other potential applicant or candidate has been mentioned in publications; yet my credentials and candidacy have been mentioned and targeted by members of the School Committee," Easy wrote.

Easy wrote that he felt he was more qualified than the person who was hired and that the School Committee had discriminated against him by not hiring him.

MCAD dismisses complaint against Everett Public Schools

But in its decision, MCAD said Everett Public Schools had a history of hiring minority administrators — six in the five years preceding the complaint. It also said there was no evidence race played a factor in Easy not being hired or considered for superintendent.

The commission ruled there was no probable cause for the complaint and dismissed it.

Neither Easy, an Everett High School graduate, nor anybody with the school district could be reached for comment.

Wayland hired Easy in 2021. He holds a Ph.D. in educational leadership and a master's in education in educational administration from Penn State University. The former NFL fullback also holds an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Allegations settled:Wayland agrees to improve school's accessibility to those with disabilities

Last month, the Wayland School Committee voted to place Easy on paid administrative leave. Two days later, Easy filed his complaint with the MCAD, claiming the decision was based on race. He said the School Committee hadn't even told him why he was being placed on leave.

"As of the time I am filing this Charge of Discrimination, the School Committee has still failed to provide me any basis for its actions," according to the complaint. "As a result of Respondents’ discriminatory, retaliatory and other unlawful actions, I have suffered, and continue to suffer, significant harm, including emotional distress."

Easy, in his complaint, alleged several incidents of racism by fellow school employees, as well as School Committee members.

The Wayland School Committee, in a statement, acknowledged the MCAD complaint but said it would not comment further.

"However, the School Committee wishes to reiterate that the Wayland Public Schools seeks to foster a welcoming, inclusive, anti-racist environment; our actions have and will continue to demonstrate a commitment to those principles," according to the statement. "We are asking the members of our school community for their patience during this time."

Norman Miller can be reached at 508-626-3823 or nmiller@wickedlocal.com. For up-to-date news, follow him on Twitter @Norman_MillerMW or on Facebook at facebook.com/NormanMillerCrime.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Wayland Superintendent Easy also filed MCAD complaint against Everett