Schools

Newton Schools Superintendent Punished for Plagiarizing Twitter Remark

David Fleishman apologized for using parts of a speech delivered by Gov. Deval Patrick.

Newton schools Superintendent David Fleishman was fined a week's salary for admitting to plagiarizing his graduation speech last month.

The Boston Globe reported the roughly $5,000 fine was handed down by the School Committee Thursday.

The action was taken after Newton South High School's student newspaper, The Lion's Roar, reported similarities between Fleishman's June 9 speech and one delivered by Gov. Deval Patrick to Boston University graduates on May 25.

In May, Patrick said, "Real human connection, the nuance of empathy and understanding, is often more gradual and elongated than Twitter."

In June, Fleishman said, "Personal connection, the nuance of empathy and understanding, is often more incremental and complex than Twitter." 

The newspaper reported several more similar passages between Patrick's speech and Fleishman's.

The Globe said Fleishman released a statement that read, "It is essential that public officials not only accept critical feedback but acknowledge when we have made mistakes."

Earlier this month, Mansfield schools Superintendent Brenda Hodges announced her resignation after she was accused of plagiarizing her graduation speech in June.


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