The previous head of faculty at a Massachusetts boarding and day faculty has been indicted in reference to sexual abuse allegations in opposition to a instructor.
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Jeannie Norris, who ran Miss Corridor’s Faculty for 16 years, was charged Wednesday with reckless endangerment of a kid, the Berkshire District Lawyer’s Workplace mentioned in a press launch.A grand jury indicted former instructor Matthew Rutledge on rape fees earlier this 12 months after he was accused of focusing on two college students within the 2000s.
“Jeannie Norris was allegedly conscious of inappropriate relationships between a instructor, Matthew Rutledge, and college students attending the varsity,” the district legal professional’s workplace added.
Joseph C. Merschman, Norris’ lawyer, didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon the indictment. Nora Adukonis, a lawyer for Rutledge, additionally didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.
Hilary Simon, one in every of Rutledge’s accusers, informed NBC Information on Wednesday that Norris had the facility to cease Rutledge however “selected to guard him over the kids in her care.” Her indictment ought to function a sign to highschool leaders all over the place that those that allow abuse may be held accountable, Simon added.
“For years survivors have been dismissed, silenced and even disciplined for telling the reality,” Simon mentioned. “Now our voices are those being heard and believed. No quantity of energy or affect or cash stops accountability.”
Fellow accuser Melissa Fares echoed Simon, saying this was a day she by no means thought would come.
“Accountability doesn’t cease with the one who commits abuse. It extends to those that allow it, ignore it or fail to behave when kids are in danger,” Fares mentioned. “That is an overdue and vital step in direction of a world the place defending youngsters isn’t simply anticipated however enforced.”
Fares mentioned she is grateful that the district legal professional’s workplace pursued fees in opposition to Norris.
The 2 ladies testified in opposition to Rutledge in entrance of a grand jury, alleging that their former instructor sexually abused them whereas they have been college students and after they graduated. Rutledge was charged with one depend of rape in reference to Simon and two counts of rape in reference to Fares.
He pleaded not responsible to the costs in April.
Fares got here ahead to report her allegations to the Miss Corridor’s Faculty administration in 2024, and Simon got here ahead not lengthy after. Rutledge resigned from his function following the accusations.
It appeared at first that Rutledge wouldn’t face felony fees, as each women have been 16 on the time of the alleged abuse, which is the authorized age of consent in Massachusetts. However the DA’s workplace assigned a group of particular prosecutors and state police detectives to revisit proof collected by the Pittsfield police and the varsity’s regulation agency.
The group concluded that Rutledge had “violated Massachusetts Common Legislation.”
“At this time’s indictment is a results of the continued, lively investigation into the allegations of abuse that occurred at Miss Corridor’s Faculty,” District Lawyer Timothy J. Shugrue mentioned within the launch. “As soon as once more, I encourage anybody with details about potential abuse that occurred at Miss Corridor’s Faculty to please contact our State Police Detectives.”
A regulation agency employed by Miss Corridor’s Faculty to analyze the allegations in opposition to Rutledge discovered that he had been reported for inappropriate conduct to highschool management a number of occasions and that the varsity didn’t act.
The 60-page report described Rutledge as a “bigger than life” determine who, at varied occasions, served as a instructor, coach, resident, adviser and division chair. He was additionally identified to bellow “make method for Mr. Fantastic” as he “bounded” down the hallways, the report said.
“Miss Corridor’s obtained data on a number of separate events within the late Nineteen Nineties and mid-2000s about Rutledge’s inappropriate relationships and interactions with college students,” the report states. “The proof helps that the Faculty’s management didn’t adequately examine and reply to the reported data.”
Julia Heaton, the present head of faculty, issued an apology on behalf of the varsity, admitting that she too “didn’t do sufficient to guard the wellbeing of scholars.”
