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Ninth-grader recounts bullying, threats and alleged administrative inaction; educators ask committee to act
Summary
A ninth-grade student told the Masconomet School Committee she left the district after repeated bullying, alleged sexual-threats and what she says was administrative inaction; Masconomet teachers delivered a joint statement urging discipline, reporting to police for threats, and enforcement of student-handbook and MIAA rules.
Charlotte Robbins, a ninth-grade Boxford resident, told the Masconomet Regional School District School Committee that she decided to leave the district after months of bullying and harassment she said school leaders did not address. "As the only girl on the varsity golf team, I was bullied and humiliated rather than treated as a teammate," Robbins said, and described overheard talk of stealing and sharing exams and photos of seniors drinking — including one instance of drinking and driving. She said school policy and MIAA rules were not enforced and alleged she was later subjected to "obscene and demeaning sexual comments, including a reference to sexual violence and assault." Robbins said a male varsity athlete threatened an "extreme act of sexual violence" toward her and that administrators only told the perpetrator they would be spoken to.
Aaron O'Brien, a Masconomet high-school teacher, read a statement on behalf of a group of educators who said they had become aware of gender-based discrimination by a coach and members of the golf team, and that reports to the administration had not produced discipline, coaching changes or police notification. The educators said the victim faced retaliatory acts and urged the committee to insist the administration apply the student handbook, the Masconomet student-athlete guide, the district’s bullying plan and MIAA rules, and to report threats of sexual assault to the Boxford Police Department.
Committee members repeatedly thanked the student and those who came in support, described the remarks as "very brave," and said they were limited in what they could discuss publicly because of student-confidentiality rules. The chair asked members and the public to submit recommendations by the end of the week so she and Dr. Harvey could discuss them during the committee's next executive session. A member of the audience, identifying himself as the student's father, said some parts of the student's account were confidential but that academic-integrity and alcohol allegations could be discussed in public and urged the committee not to silence those elements.
What happens next: The committee said it would gather recommendations and consult with counsel and Dr. Harvey in executive session to determine steps within legal constraints; no formal disciplinary outcomes or police referrals were announced at the meeting.
Why it matters: Teachers at the school and at least one student told the committee that reporting has not produced consistent enforcement. The committee’s stated next step — collecting recommendations and consulting counsel in executive session — will determine whether administratively or legally enforceable actions follow.
