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BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston Public Schools Superintendent Brenda Cassellius calls for a school in Mission Hill to be shut down at the end of the school year after an investigation revealed allegations of rampant sexual and physical assault at the school.
Cassellius recommended to the Boston School Committee that the Mission Hill K-8 School be closed down at the end of the academic year. This came after an investigation by Boston Law Firm Hinckley Allen, which was commissioned by BPS, found what it called "systematic and pervasive accounts" of sexual and physical violence against students by other students.
The report took a look at instances dating back to 2014 and found the incidents were not properly addressed by school officials. The report said the school employees had "multiple systematic reporting failures" when it came to these incidents.
Boston Public Schools provided a statement on the superintendent's recommendation.
“Ensuring the safety, health, and wellbeing of all students is the most important obligation a school district has. Based on the persistent pattern of abuse confirmed in this independent report, the only viable option is to close the school and support students in their transition to other schools in the district. This action indicates how seriously the Superintendent takes this responsibility. BPS’ immediate priority is to work with each Mission Hill family to determine where their child will continue their education.”
BPS said it is putting together a transition team to help reassign the 200 students at Mission Hill school to other schools in the area. Families of students will be given a special enrollment period to find a new school.
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School staff related to the alleged cases are either no longer at the school or are on leave, according to BPS. Staffers not involved in the cases will get assistance from BPS in finding new employment.
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