Miss Hall’s School dean resigns after 30 years amid investigation into former history
Dean of Students Sarah Virden resigned after 30 years working at the school. Her resignation, which she told colleagues might be “surprising news,” comes amid an investigation into a former teacher for allegations of sexual misconduct.
PITTSFIELD — A 30-year employee and current dean at Miss Hall’s School has resigned amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by a longtime teacher and accusations that administrators tried to cover it up.
Sarah Virden tendered her resignation as dean of students sometime during the week of July 15, and told her colleagues that she would be leaving the school in a “couple of weeks,” in what appears to be an internal message sent to staff and faculty obtained by The Eagle.
In her message, Virden said this was a “personal decision,” but did not say why she was resigning.
“I am sure that this is surprising news,” Virden wrote, “and I am sorry for that.”
She also said she “will forever be grateful for the time that I have had at Miss Hall’s, and I have such confidence in and respect for all of you.”
Virden said she would work with Head of School Julia Heaton and school leadership on the transition.
Heaton and Miss Hall’s Communication Manager David Smith did not answer questions about why Virden resigned and said that “It is the policy of Miss Hall’s School not to comment on internal personnel matters.”
Two more Miss Hall’s alums say they had reported sexual misconduct allegations to top school leadership
A phone message for Virden seeking comment was not returned.
Heaton sent an email to families at the all-girls boarding and day school on July 25 to announce Virden’s resignation “after three decades of service.” She said that Virden’s position “is integral to life at MHS,” and so will take time to fill.
Virden started at Miss Hall’s in March 1994 as director of academic counseling and was promoted to dean of students in July of last year, according to her LinkedIn profile, which was removed sometime in the last two days.
The news of Virden’s departure comes roughly four months after another 30-year employee of the school — teacher Matthew Rutledge — resigned when an alum alleged he groomed and sexually exploited her while she was a student.
Soon after, another former student said she also was abused by Rutledge.
Multiple alums also say they had reported Rutledge’s misconduct to staff or administrators over the years, and that these reports were dismissed.
DA’s office hires a special investigator for prior allegations of ‘inappropriate conduct’ at Miss Hall’s between staff and students
The Berkshire District Attorney’s Office is investigating the allegations against Rutledge as well as other accusations of misconduct by other staff.
The Miss Hall’s Board of Trustees also initiated an independent investigation by a specialty law firm. That investigation, the board said this month, will take another six to nine months to complete.
Read More: Miss Hall’s School dean resigns after 30 years amid investigation into former history
2024-07-27 21:00:00