We’re disappointed that our School Committee—whose job includes the oversight of more than $10,000,000 in taxpayers’ money—chose to extend the school superintendent’s contract despite ongoing investigations by state and federal agencies that directly involve him. The superintendant just finished the second year of a four-year contract; why extend the contract now? The committee is well aware of the investigation into whether the superintendent improperly approved spending special education money for a School Committee member’s child to attend a school that is not on the state’s approved list. The investigations will find out what happened, and until then, the superintendent and the committee member are presumed innocent. But holding off on passing judgment is very different from ignoring facts that call the spending into question. Confidentiality is no excuse. Committee members have a responsibility—one that isn’t always easy to fulfill—to do right by the voters who elected them and the taxpayers who foot the bills. The committee chose the easy way this time.