Rogers High School Principal Jared B. Vance has been placed on leave for the remainder of the school year following an independent investigation into the assault of a special needs student, according to a memo released Tuesday by School Committee Chair James Dring.
The investigation, conducted by former Rhode Island State Police Col. Steven G. O’Donnell, found systemic failures in communication, supervision, disciplinary consistency and trust between staff and administration at the high school.
The assault occurred Oct. 17, 2025, and was publicly released Nov. 21, 2025. Four Rogers High School students were arrested in connection with the locker room assault: two 16-year-olds, a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old.
According to the executive summary, multiple warning signs existed prior to public disclosure but were not escalated appropriately.
“The investigation identifies systemic failures in communication, supervision, disciplinary consistency, and trust between staff and administration,” the summary states.
The report found a cultural gap between teachers and administrative teams, with poor communication, delayed responses and inconsistent accountability contributing to fractured trust.
“This incident has exposed and brought to the surface serious systemic failures that must be addressed,” the summary states.
O’Donnell’s report includes 27 recommendations focusing on administrative accountability, structural reform, improved reporting mechanisms, consistent disciplinary practices, enhanced supervision and cultural change.
Key recommendations include reorganizing the high school’s administration to ensure clear communication, requiring administrative staff to be in classrooms and hallways regularly, establishing a student advisory board, reviewing the dress code policy, revising the disciplinary process and developing an anonymous reporting system.
The report also recommends establishing locker room policies for hours, access and staff monitoring, working with Family Court to address truancy, enhancing hazing and bullying awareness training, and providing specialized training to the Newport School Department.
The full report cannot be released due to obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the need to protect student and staff privacy, according to Dring.
“The Superintendent and School Committee are continuing to take appropriate corrective actions and will begin implementing Colonel O’Donnell’s recommendations as appropriate,” Dring wrote.
On Tuesday, the Newport School Committee voted 7-0 to request a comprehensive review of district safety plans, school crisis teams and school threat teams, including relevant discipline data, to be presented by Feb. 24.
