But the bitterness is not new. Antagonism marked Frisoli's selection in 1971 and his first year as Superintendent. Many parents were dissatisfied when the previous School Committee dominated by Independents, promised citizen participation in the selection of the Superintendent but then elected Frisoli with a minimum of debate.

During the past school year, Frisoli refused to approve an Afro-American organization at Cambridge High and Latin because its membership would be open to all students. When students subsequently demonstrated in protest at his office. Frisoli replied by calling the police.

Frisoli joined the Cambridge School System in 1936 as a teacher of Spanish. He advanced to assistant headmaster in 1952 while his brother former Mayor Joseph DeGuglielmo chaired the School Committee. He became acting Superintendent in 1970 and a year later was elevated to Superintendent.

In the School Committee elections last November, Frisoli became the central issue. Three candidates were elected from the CCA-backed slate opposing Frisoli: Wylie, Charles M. Plerce, and Peter G. Gesell '62. Three Independents who support Frisoli--Fantini, Fitzgerald, and John E. Maynard--also won. Fantini, once a student of Frisoli, enjoyed CCA support until he voted for Frisoli in 1971.

CCA-endorsed candidates won a slim majority on the City Council and chose one of their number, Ackermann, as mayor, who by law also chairs of the School Committee. The anti-Frisoli forces thus gained control of the Committee.

Frisoli termed the outcome a "political accident" since CCA candidate Frank H. Duehay '55, dean of admission at the Graduate School of Education, defeated Independent Leonard Russell by only 36 votes for the ninth Council slot. In total, more votes were cast for Independent candidates than for the CCA slate.

A turbulent meeting followed when the new School Committee first met and debated the Superintendent issue. Over 2000 people crowded into Rindge Tech Auditorium on January 18 for a seven-hour marathon session highlighted by several fist fights a bomb threat and 50 speakers.

Debate slacked off in the early hours of the next morning and the weary committeemen finally voted out Frisoli. "As Superintendent he has failed to meet his responsibilities in administering the School Department, in providing the School Committee with adequate and continuing information and advice on policy, and in carrying out policy," the resolution read. "In addition, he has shown opposition to the prevailing educational attitude of the Committee."

An amendment by vice-chairman Wylie listed 29 reasons for removing the incumbent superintendent. Among the criticisms of Frisoli:

* Failure to respond to the "alarmingly high dropout rate" approaching 25 per cent

* Mishandling preparation and planning of the opening of three new schools

* No explicit educational goals for Cambridge schools

Last submission of annual budgets to the School Committee

* Failure to institute a work-study program or to fund teacher workshops adequately

* Disregarding recommendations from the School Committee on easing racial tension in Cambridge High and Latin and of a directive from the School Committee to work toward a 20 per cent black faculty