Marblehead Student Restraint Was Not 'Authorized By Law': Report

MARBLEHEAD, MA — Marblehead Interim Superintendent Theresa McGuinness on Wednesday night released the findings of an independent, third-party investigation of the Nov. 20 restraint incident at Glover School that she said supported "a finding of neglect of the student by certain educators who implemented the restraints."

McGuinness placed four educators on paid administrative leave pending the investigation into the incident that spurred an overhaul of the district's student services leadership and repeated calls from the Marblehead Education Association to reinstate the suspended educators.

"The CIC report and the DCF findings confirm what the video of the restraints showed," McGuinness said in a statement she sent to the School Committee accompanying the report, "which is that certain educators implemented restraints that were not authorized by law or district policy when they restrained a student on Nov. 20, 2023.

"The educators have been on administrative leave since Dec. 5 and the interim superintendent will be taking appropriate action consistent with law."

McGuinness said in a message to the school community: "Next week, we will distribute to staff a plan that we are developing with additional measures that include re-training of all employees in the district on the School Committee policy and the regulations with respect to restraints. The legally redacted CIC report will also be made available after the plan is complete.

"As always, please continue to support our students and staff members through these challenging times," she requested.