Retired head of Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield indicted

Related video: Former Miss Hall’s teacher arraigned on rape charges

PITTSFIELD, Mass. (NEWS10) — The retired head of school of Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield was indicted on one count of reckless endangerment of a child in Berkshire Superior Court on Wednesday. According to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, Jeannie Norris was allegedly aware of inappropriate relationships between former teacher Matthew Rutledge and students.

Norris was the head of school at Miss Hall’s from 1996-2012. Authorities said her alleged knowledge of the situation is based on evidence collected throughout the active investigation into the allegations of abuse that occurred at Miss Hall’s School. Evidence demonstrates that she received numerous reports of Rutledge’s alleged inapproprate conduct.

“Today’s indictment is a result of the continued, active investigation into the allegations of abuse that occurred at Miss Hall’s School,” said District Attorney Shugrue. “My team of prosecutors, included Massachusetts State Police Detectives and Victim Witness Advocates, are actively working on this case thus far indicting both Matthew Rutledge, a former teacher at Miss Hall’s School, and now Jeannie Norris. Once again, I encourage anyone with information about potential abuse that occurred at Miss Hall’s School to please contact our State Police Detectives.”

Rutledge was arraigned on three counts of rape in April. Rutledge was employed at the Miss Hall’s School from 1991 to 2024.

The investigation into Rutledge began in the spring of 2024, when the Pittsfield Police Department received claims of sexual assault involving him. However, in October 2024, the DA’s Office said no charges were able to be filed at that time.

Melissa Fares was the first to come forward and speak out about her experience at the Miss Hall’s School in the spring of last year. After the Aleta Law Firm published a report paid for by the Miss Hall’s School, new evidence was found that helped the investigation. Hilary Simon is another victim who has come forward. Both have allowed their names to be used by prosecutors.

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