Thursday, October 1, 2026
This story has been updated.
The assignment for Marie Gaboton-Swift, who served Freeport Public Schools as its interim executive director for personnel, has ended after interim Superintendent Shakirah Miller recommended to terminate the role. The decision comes simultaneously as the district announced the hires of three administrators, including two principals.
During a Board of Education action meeting at Freeport High School on May 21, the school board announced the decision to end Gaboton-Swift's assignment. Miller and fellow district administrators declined to explain what led to the decision, stating that it is was a personnel matter that they could not legally reveal to the media or the public.
The district did clarify with the Herald that Gaboton-Swift was not "fired," and only her interim assignment had ended. A district spokesperson added that the role of executive director for personnel will be filled soon, and was a position that Gaboton-Swift could have applied for, but chose not to.
On the day of the termination, a memorandum obtained by the Herald addressed to administrative office staff and clericals from Idowu Ogundipe, assistant superintendent for business, warned against "unauthorized circulation of business documents."
"The unauthorized removal, sharing, or 'smuggling out' of vital office documents outside of approved procedures is unethical and unacceptable," the memorandum states. "Such actions undermine public confidence, erode trust within the organization and compromise the confidentiality and professionalism required in the performance of our duties. Be advised that any employee found culpable in the unauthorized disclosure or distribution of official documents will be subject to disciplinary action."
Despite the memorandum never naming Gaboton-Swift or any specific allegations, several community members, including district employees, told the Herald that they believe Gaboton-Swift's departure was connected to a recent Facebook post which included district documents and correspondence.
The post's content specifically focused on the tens of thousands of dollars the district allegedly spent on consultants from the Perkins Group. School board members have stated that the firm has worked with the district for several years, and asserted that is not irregular for a school district to use and pay for consulting services.
The post was made by an anonymous participant in a Freeport Facebook group. Miller and other administrators said that they would not and could not confirm whether Gaboton-Swift's expired assignment was connected to the Facebook post and the documents that were revealed.
The post and attached documents allegedly shows that the district has spent over $300,000 on consultant fees. While the documents name the Perkins Group and Freeport Public Schools officials, the Herald has not been able to confirm the authenticity of the documents without the school district being able to answer personnel questions.
During the same meeting, the school board officially approved the hires of Gloria Johana Medina-Bowers as principal of Columbus Avenue School, Shomari Akil as principal of Freeport High School and Auriel Watson as assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction.
Board President Sunday Coward, Vice President Scott Richardson and Trustee Alphonso Hardwick voted in favor of the hires, enough for a majority. Michael Pomerico, the newest board trustee since his election two days prior, was the only board member to vote against the hires, while Trustee Sonia Dixon abstained from voting. Both clarified that they were not against the candidates personally, but believed the hiring process had been rushed without enough time to complete a thorough vetting process.
"(My vote) has nothing to do with the individuals themselves," Pomerico said. "I only got this information about these individuals a couple of hours ago. I'd like a little more time to do justice. I don't think that such a short notice is the right thing to do."
Coward later said that she hopes to improve communication among the board for further transparency and clarity. She also added that Pomerico's recent election did not allow him to be aware of the entire hiring process, and that the rest of the board had been well aware of the candidates and process far in advance.
Patricia Langan, Freeport Teachers Association president, also said publicly during the meeting that the teachers association was not allowed to choose representatives to be a part of the committee in charge of the hiring process.
Miller told the Herald that although it had been common practice for the district to allow the teachers association to pick representatives, she had decided to have herself and the district administration pick the teachers themselves out of those who expressed interest.
She added that this decision was made in hopes of "not excluding" certain teachers who the teachers association may not typically pick to be representatives, and said that she has no plans to review or alter how teachers are a part of hiring committees in the future.
Pomerico also voted against appointments of district auditors on the grounds that the vote should wait for the incoming board members, his running mates Gabriela Castillo and Edward Gordon, so they could have input on the personnel they will end up working with starting in July. Coward, Richardson and Hardwick again voted in favor of the appointments, with Dixon abstaining once more.
"By law, we have to have audits in by a certain period of time," Hardwick later explained during the meeting. "That's why we did it today. We can't wait another month by law."
