Gloucester council asks for independent probe into Foster-Glocester regional schools' handling of assault complaints

The Gloucester Town Council voted unanimously March 1 to request an independent investigation into the Foster-Glocester Regional School Committee and school department's handling of sexual assault complaints and compliance with mandatory reporting laws and Title IX requirements. The measure directs a qualified third-party investigator to review district policies, procedures and any pending or current allegations and to assess compliance with Rhode Island General Law 40-11-3.3 and applicable Title IX provisions.

The resolution, introduced by the council president and read into the record, cites statutory duties that require school employees to report suspected child abuse and the district's obligations under Title IX to investigate harassment and assault in educational programs. It specifically names district policies 5146 (Title IX nondiscrimination/anti-harassment) and 5151.1 (school response to bullying/dating violence) as subjects for review and asks that the investigator provide factual findings, conclusions and recommendations for corrective action and interim protective measures where needed.

Council members framed the vote as a step to ensure student safety and legal compliance. The motion was seconded and passed without dissent. Council documents accompanying the resolution direct that the investigation's report be made available to the town council, the public and relevant oversight authorities and ask the district to implement recommendations promptly and provide periodic updates.

Town officials and councilors characterized the resolution as a request for an independent fact-finding review rather than a criminal inquiry; it asks oversight authorities to be notified when appropriate. The council did not name a specific investigator at the meeting and did not set a budget or timeline in the text adopted March 1. The resolution requires coordination between the town, the district and any oversight agencies; it also notes that some reporting obligations (for example, submissions to DCYF and law enforcement) are already defined by state law.

Next steps listed by council members included drafting a scope of work for a third-party investigator, clarifying who will fund any outside review, and notifying the Foster-Glocester Regional School Committee and relevant state oversight bodies. The council's formal vote on the resolution was recorded as "aye" by the presiding chair with the motion passing unanimously.

Authorities cited in the approved text include RI General Law 40-11-3.3 (mandatory reporting) and federal Title IX regulations referenced in the district policies named in the resolution. The council said it will seek to make the investigator's findings public and will ask the district to report back on implementation of recommendations.

The council concluded the agenda item by instructing staff to prepare follow-up correspondence and to explore next procedural steps; no additional funding decision for the investigation was made that night.