The Newport School Committee will meet in executive session Wednesday to discuss hiring an independent investigator to review the assault of a special needs student at Rogers High School and examine school policies and procedures.
The meeting comes after Newport police arrested two 16-year-old Rogers High School students in connection with a locker room assault captured on video. The first suspect was arrested Friday and charged with two counts of felony assault on persons with severe impairments. A second student was arrested Saturday and charged with assault against the same victim.
School Committee Chair James Dring said the committee is “deeply troubled” by the recent reports and wants to restore trust through a comprehensive and transparent investigation.
“In order to restore trust and fully understand the scope of the issues at hand, I believe that we must move swiftly to appoint an independent entity to examine these reports as thoroughly and transparently as possible,” Dring said in a statement Sunday.
If approved, the School Committee’s investigation would proceed alongside the ongoing criminal investigation by Newport police.
The independent review would focus not only on the specific incidents but also provide a comprehensive examination of school policies, procedures and institutional response to determine underlying issues and recommend corrective actions, according to the committee.
Mayor and City Council Chair Charles M. Holder expressed support for the effort.
“The City Council is extremely concerned by the nature of the allegations coming from Rogers High School,” Holder said. “We fully support the School Committee’s decision to hire an independent investigator and stand in full solidarity with their efforts to ensure that Newport’s schools remain a safe, welcoming, and supportive space for all students.”
Superintendent Colleen Burns Jermain said the district became aware late Thursday evening of a video showing what she called “unacceptable” behavior in the boys locker room. According to Jermain, there had been a practice of “roughhousing” and players hitting each other before football games, but one player “took this to an extreme level.”
The district ended the Rogers High School football season immediately Friday and cancelled a junior varsity scrimmage that had been scheduled for Thanksgiving Day.
The School Committee’s executive session is scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 26. Additional information is expected following the meeting.
Police urged anyone with information about the incident to contact Detective Caitlin Poplawski at 401-845-5772 or cpoplawski@newportri.gov.
