St. George’s head of school leaving when contract ends next year

ST. GEORGE'S School's head of school, Eric Peterson, said he will leave his position when his contract ends June 30, 2017.
ST. GEORGE'S School's head of school, Eric Peterson, said he will leave his position when his contract ends June 30, 2017.

MIDDLETOWN – Eric Peterson, the head of school at St. George’s School, will not seek an extension of his contract.
The preparatory school’s board of trustees released the news on its website Tuesday, the same day the school community was notified, saying Peterson will serve until the contract’s end on June 30, 2017.
Spencer Stuart, a search firm specializing in heads of school searches, has been retained by the board, which also has appointed a search committee at the school.
“The board has accepted his decision with appreciation for his many contributions to our school,” Leslie Heaney, chair of St. George’s board of trustees, said in a statement.

Peterson, who has led the school for 12 years, said he is “enormously grateful to have had the opportunity to be a part of St. George’s.”
“In the meantime, I remain committed to seeing St. George’s through its continued growth over the next 13 months,” Peterson added.
Peterson noted recent controversy that has engulfed the school.

“Even though recent months have been challenging ones for St. George’s, I’m confident that the next head of school will arrive at an important juncture in our history and will be well positioned to carry the school forward in continued positive ways,” Peterson wrote in a June 3 letter to Heaney.

Last week, the state police and Attorney General’s Office said they determined that no criminal charges will be brought after investigating allegations of sexual assault and sexual misconduct at the school by seven former faculty members, one current employee and three former students at the school.

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The state police investigation began in November; some of the allegations dated back to 1970.

“Unfortunately for those who came forward, they will not be able to seek justice within the criminal justice system due to the applicable statutes defining conduct and statute of limitations. We encourage any victims who have not reported to date to come forward, and if allegations are made, they will be thoroughly investigated,” a state police press release issued June 2 stated.

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