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 July
19,
2010



It
is
with
shock,
dismay,
and
sadness
that
we
learned
early
this
morning
that
our
Head
of
School,

David
Harris,
was
arrested
over
the
weekend
and
arraigned
at
9:00
am
today
in
North
Adams,

Massachusetts,
on
a
number
of
charges
concerning
child
pornography.

We
do
not
have
much

detail,
but
we
know
he
has
been
released
on
bail,
and
we
are
informed
that
additional
charges

will
be
brought.


While
we
can
honestly
state
that
we
have
had
no
reason
to
suspect
this
behavior,
and
we

respect
individuals’
privacy,
these
charges
leave
us
no
option
but
to
discuss
David’s
resignation.


This
reflects
counsel
from
our
lawyers
(Ropes
and
Gray),
who
are
assisting
us
in
this
matter.

We

have
reviewed
the
situation
internally
and
are
fully
confident
that
these
issues
reside
in
David’s

home
in
North
Adams:
they
have
not
affected
our
own
environment
or
community.


This
is
a
deep
disappointment
and
a
great
sadness,
but
it
will
in
no
way
affect
the
continuing

mission
of
our
school
or
our
commitment
to
educating
our
children
in
the
time
honored

Montessori
method,
instilling
them
with
core
CMS
values.
Our
program
directors,
faculty
and

staff
will
continue
to
deliver
the
education
and
experience
that
have
brought
us
to
and
keep
us

at
CMS.


Given
the
situation,
we
have
begun
the
search
for
an
interim
head
of
school
for
the
upcoming

2010‐11
school
year.

Until
we
make
that
appointment,
the
Executive
Committee
of
the
Board

will
work
closely
with
the
senior
administration
of
the
school
to
provide
day‐to‐day
oversight
as

needed.

As
the
board
makes
a
final
determination
on
David’s
status,
we
will
form
a
permanent

head
search
committee
if
need
be.

Our
strategic
plan
for
a
growing,
vibrant
school
of
early

education
through
ninth
grade
on
a
single,
unified
campus
remains
unchanged
and
unfazed.



I
am
sorry
to
bring
you
this
morning’s
news,
which
you
might
easily
see
in
the
media.
Please

explain
to
your
children
that
though
the
world
is
not
a
perfect
place,
the
current
leadership
of

CMS
is
completely
committed
to
their
growth
and
education,
and
that
CMS
is
a
place
of
respect,

love,
peace,
and
learning.


Thank
you
for
your
understanding
and
patience
at
this
time.

Contact
Tracy
Kukkonen
with
any

questions,
or
contact
me
directly.
We
will
be
in
touch
with
you
again
with
more
information.


(over,
please)

Yours,



Webster
O’Brien

President,
Board
of
Trustees

617
230
8399


Anne
Lawson,
Treasurer

Deborah
Fennick,
Vice
President

Madeleine
Otani
Oldman,
Vice
President

Thomas
Price,
Clerk

Susan
Adams


Jill
Becker

Michael
Cragg,
Emeritus

Bette
Colombo


Carolyn
d’Agincourt


Maria
Guest


Eric
McLaughlin


Jessica
L.W.
McLear


Megan
Ostuni


John
Shriver

Rachel
van
der
Voort


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