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Boston Globe
12-03-2025
- Boston Globe
Three administrators at N.H. elementary school placed on leave
A former staffer in the program, Aimee Ragonese, 37, of Raymond, N.H., was charged last fall with seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of simple assault, according to Kingston police. Get N.H. Morning Report A weekday newsletter delivering the N.H. news you need to know right to your inbox. Enter Email Sign Up Ragonese has pleaded not guilty, Advertisement In his letter to families, Ambrose identified the employees placed on leave as Principal Elizabeth Childs, Assistant Principal Lorin Caffelle, and Director of Student Services Troy Kennett. None of them could immediately be reached for comment. 'I will be meeting with every employee who is involved in this investigation next week,' Ambrose wrote. 'I will then begin scheduling meetings with the families that were directly impacted to provide an opportunity to review the report and meet with me one-on-one.' Police Police said they charged Ragonese, whom they identified as a special education teacher, after an extensive investigation that included 'interviews with several staff members, including some administrators from the school district.' 'The victims' ages range between 6-9 years old,' police said at the time. Police didn't specify the number of alleged victims or detail any injuries they may have sustained. 'Unfortunately, until I have met with each employee and family involved, I cannot provide you with additional information about the investigation or my next steps,' Ambrose wrote Friday. 'I understand how stressful this has been for all of you, and I cannot thank you enough for your patience and cooperation.' Advertisement Ambrose said he has tapped Kelli Killen, the school district's human resources director, to serve as acting principal. 'Ms. Killen has worked in elementary schools throughout her career and has previously served as an elementary school principal as well as a central office administrator,' Ambrose wrote. 'I am grateful for her experience and willingness to step in to help. Ms. Killen will be at the school on a regular basis and we, along with other members of [school] administration, will make ourselves available to each and every one of you as needed.' The school teaches students from Kingston and Newton, N.H. in preschool through second grade, according to its website. This story will be updated when more information is released. Travis Andersen can be reached at
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Yahoo
3 administrators at NH elementary school placed on leave after student assault investigation
Three administrators at an elementary school in New Hampshire were placed on leave following an internal investigation into allegations of students being assaulted. In a letter sent to parents and guardians on Friday and shared with Boston 25 News, Sanborn Regional School District Superintendent Thomas Ambrose announced administrative action after reviewing the findings of an investigative report on the 'In-Step' program at D.J. Bakie Elementary School in Kingston. Ambrose said the findings led him to place Principal Elizabeth Childs, Assistant Principal Lorin Caffelle, and Director of Student Services Troy Kennett on 'non-disciplinary paid administrative leave.' The Union Leader reported that the internal investigation began in November 2024 after Kingston police charged Aimee Ragonese, 37, of Raymond, with seven counts of endangering the welfare of a child and four counts of simple assault. Ragonese served as the former head of the school's In-Step program, which supports students with developmental and cognitive delays and learning and behavioral disabilities. She resigned from the position after police announced criminal charges against her, the Union Leader reported. The alleged assaults reportedly involved five students between the ages of 6 and 9, some living with autism and special needs. According to the Union Leader, the charges against Ragonese accuse her of 'using excessive force to pull up a boy's pants, causing him to cry; pushing another boy to the ground with a wall divider, and in other incidents involving the same child, allegedly grabbing him by the shoulders and throwing him to the ground three times and yanking him by the arm with excessive force; digging her fingernails into a boy's armpits, resulting in lacerations; dragging a boy by his ankle and holding him upside down, causing him to hit his head on the floor; and shoving another boy into an enclosure.' Ragonese has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Ambrose says his next steps involve meeting with employees involved in the investigation and scheduling meetings with impacted families. 'I will be meeting with every employee who is involved in this investigation next week. I will then begin scheduling meetings with the families that were directly impacted to provide an opportunity to review the report and meet with me one-on-one,' Ambrose said in a statement. Kelli Killen, the elementary school's current director of human resources, has since taken on the role of acting principal, according to Ambrose. 'Ms. Killen has worked in elementary schools throughout her career and has previously served as an elementary school principal as well as a central office administrator,' Ambrose explained. 'I am grateful for her experience and willingness to step in to help.' Ambrose added, 'I understand how stressful this has been for all of you, and I cannot thank you enough for your patience and cooperation.' Ragonese's case is slated to return to court on March 18. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
