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Linden Hill School: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 42°39′03″N 72°27′18″W / 42.6508°N 72.4549°W / 42.6508; -72.4549
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Michael Holland was convicted in 2004 in the State of New York of forcible touching in the third degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and sexual abuse in the third degree, based on the allegation that while on a school field trip to New York City he engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a student. Another student accused Holland of inappropriate touching while on the [[Northfield, Massachusetts]] school campus. The State of Massachusetts investigated and brought Holland up on felony criminal charges for sexual abuse, however they were unable to secure a conviction. <ref>{{cite web|title= The Gow School | author= Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. |url= https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1585315370/gow/nnt2bpovpaxtxtgbrekf/reports.pdf |access-date=2021-09-02}}</ref>
Michael Holland was convicted in 2004 in the State of New York of forcible touching in the third degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and sexual abuse in the third degree, based on the allegation that while on a school field trip to New York City he engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a student. Another student accused Holland of inappropriate touching while on the [[Northfield, Massachusetts]] school campus. The State of Massachusetts investigated and brought Holland up on felony criminal charges for sexual abuse, however they were unable to secure a conviction. <ref>{{cite web|title= The Gow School | author= Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. |url= https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1585315370/gow/nnt2bpovpaxtxtgbrekf/reports.pdf |access-date=2021-09-02}}</ref>


Michael P. Holland came to Linden Hill School from [[Gow School]] in 1998. The media coverage brought out further accusations inappropriate contact and relationships with students during his 1985-1998 tenure at the [[Gow School]]. However, due to the passed time from the incidents prosecution did not take place. While at [[Gow School]] Holland held numerous positions. Some of these roles would entail allowing students into Holland's personal living quarters. This was common practice at [[Gow School]] for dorm masters.
Michael P. Holland came to Linden Hill School in 1998. The media coverage brought out further accusations inappropriate contact and relationships with students during his 1985-1998 tenure at his previous school he was employed by in New York State. However, due to the passed time from the incidents prosecution did not take place. While at the previous school Holland held numerous positions. Some of these roles would entail allowing students into Holland's personal living quarters. This was common practice for dorm masters.


===Thomas Simmeth===
===Thomas Simmeth===
Another Staff member identified as Thomas Simmeth was charged in that same year with indecent assault and battery on a student at the school.<ref>https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20030523/NEWS/305239977</ref> He too had come to Linden Hill School in 2001 from [[Gow School]]. At [[Gow School]], in the early 90s he was also accused of inappropriate relations including giving [[Fellatio]] to a student, Aaron J. Worby,<ref>{{cite web|title= Former Gow School student recounts being raped by teacher in the 1990s | author= Tom Dinki |url= https://www.wbfo.org/education/2020-12-17/former-gow-school-student-recounts-being-raped-by-teacher-in-the-1990s |access-date=2021-09-02}}</ref> against his will leaving marks on his genitalia. <ref>{{cite web|title= The Gow School | author= Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. |url= https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1585315370/gow/nnt2bpovpaxtxtgbrekf/reports.pdf |access-date=2021-09-02}}</ref>
Another Staff member identified as Thomas Simmeth was charged in that same year with indecent assault and battery on a student at the school.<ref>https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20030523/NEWS/305239977</ref> He too had come to Linden Hill School in 2001 from a previous school Mr. Michael P. Holland had been employed at. At the previous school he was also later accused of inappropriate relations including giving [[Fellatio]] to a student in the 1990's.<ref>{{cite web|title= Former Gow School student recounts being raped by teacher in the 1990s | author= Tom Dinki |url= https://www.wbfo.org/education/2020-12-17/former-gow-school-student-recounts-being-raped-by-teacher-in-the-1990s |access-date=2021-09-02}}</ref> against his will leaving marks on his genitalia. <ref>{{cite web|title= The Gow School | author= Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. |url= https://resources.finalsite.net/images/v1585315370/gow/nnt2bpovpaxtxtgbrekf/reports.pdf |access-date=2021-09-02}}</ref>


==Closure==
==Closure==

Revision as of 17:36, 23 September 2021

Linden Hill School
Location
Map

Information
School typePrivate, Boarding
MottoCommunity, Loyalty, Responsibility, Integrity, Respect
Established1961
FounderGeorge & Penny Hayes
Enrolment25 as of 2012
CampusRural
Housesformerly - Hayes Dorm, Bennett House, Haskell Hall
Color(s)Green & Dark Blue   
SongSimple Gifts
MascotLynx
NewspaperLinden Hill Times
Websitehttp://www.lindenhs.org

The Linden Hill School was a boys' middle school in Northfield, Massachusetts that served students with dyslexia or other language-related learning disabilities. It ceased operations on June 8, 2012. [1]

Program

From 1961 to 2012 Linden Hill School' served boys ages 9–16 of average to above average intelligence who had learning difficulties.[2]

History

In 1961 George and his wife Penny Hayes built a boarding school with an emphasis on reading and language acquisition. Hayes, a Kent school graduate and former teacher, was teaching at the Mount Hermon School for boys as the Director of Reading Development. (Mount Hermon would later merge with the Northfield School for girls to create Northfield Mount Hermon School). There was much discussion as to where this new school should be and worry that a suitable site might not be found. Their vision needed a comfortable living and learning space while being able to engage the boys in the outdoors. The Hayes’ prayers were answered when they received word from Mrs. Grace Bennett that she would part with her beautiful old dairy farm for a meager amount to support the cause. She respected the success that George Hayes had with her grandson, a student at Mount Hermon School. The early days of the school were a family affair with wife Penny keeping the books, and cooking meals, daughter Carolyn giving riding lessons and caring for the animals in the small farm, son George working the grounds after school and later on breaks from college all while George instructed students and fundraised. This tiny school with 30 boys set trends in education language based learning disabilities that many schools have modeled. George and Penny Hayes have since died, but their daughter, Carolyn, served as chair of the board of trustees from 2004 to 2007.

Sexual Abuse

In 2003 the principal of Linden Hill School, Michael P. Holland, was forced to step down after multiple allegations of sexual abuse.

Michael Holland

Michael Holland
File:Michael Holland linden hill school.jpeg
Michael Holland in-front of the school sign.
Alma materNiagara University
Occupation(s)Educator, Headmaster
Known forPEDOPHELIA
SuccessorJames McDaniel
Criminal charge
  • forcible touching in the third degree
  • endangering the welfare of a child
  • sexual abuse in the third degree
Details
VictimsBrian Johnson [3]
DateMarch 21, 2003
Span of crimes
1985–2003
State(s)New York, Massachusetts
Location(s)Multiple, including hotel rooms
Signature

Michael Holland was convicted in 2004 in the State of New York of forcible touching in the third degree, endangering the welfare of a child, and sexual abuse in the third degree, based on the allegation that while on a school field trip to New York City he engaged in inappropriate physical contact with a student. Another student accused Holland of inappropriate touching while on the Northfield, Massachusetts school campus. The State of Massachusetts investigated and brought Holland up on felony criminal charges for sexual abuse, however they were unable to secure a conviction. [4]

Michael P. Holland came to Linden Hill School in 1998. The media coverage brought out further accusations inappropriate contact and relationships with students during his 1985-1998 tenure at his previous school he was employed by in New York State. However, due to the passed time from the incidents prosecution did not take place. While at the previous school Holland held numerous positions. Some of these roles would entail allowing students into Holland's personal living quarters. This was common practice for dorm masters.

Thomas Simmeth

Another Staff member identified as Thomas Simmeth was charged in that same year with indecent assault and battery on a student at the school.[5] He too had come to Linden Hill School in 2001 from a previous school Mr. Michael P. Holland had been employed at. At the previous school he was also later accused of inappropriate relations including giving Fellatio to a student in the 1990's.[6] against his will leaving marks on his genitalia. [7]

Closure

Hit hard by recession, Linden Hill School sold its campus in 2012 to pay off its mortgage and pay off significant debt. The Redemption Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith purchased the schools campus for $2.56 million. [8]

In May 2019 the Redemption Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith turned the campus over to their lien holder in lieu of foreclosure. Currently the campus is owned by MWD Asset Servicing Inc, the lien holder. The lien originally belonging to Linden Hill School had been passed on to the Redemption Church of Christ of the Apostolic Faith when they purchased the property.[9][10]

Campus

Linden Hill School was located on a 15-acre forested campus just 12 miles from the original campus in Northfield. In addition to many purpose-built classrooms, the school building houses classrooms, an indoor basketball court with a climbing wall, a game room, a first aid room and, of course, a large kitchen and cafeteria. The dormitories have 50 single-occupancy rooms and spacious common rooms with kitchenettes.

References

  1. ^ MassLive, The Associated Press | (2012-05-09). "Linden Hill School in Northfield closing its doors". masslive. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  2. ^ "Massachusetts Dyslexic Schools". Retrieved 20 April 2012.
  3. ^ "MassCourts". Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  4. ^ Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. "The Gow School" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  5. ^ https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20030523/NEWS/305239977
  6. ^ Tom Dinki. "Former Gow School student recounts being raped by teacher in the 1990s". Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  7. ^ Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. "The Gow School" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  8. ^ Fred Contrada. "Former Linden Hill School campus in Northfield, purchased by Redemption Church of Christ, to be used for agricultural school". Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  9. ^ "The 126-Acre Redemption Christian Academy In Northfield Now In Hands Of California Mortgage Holder". Western Mass Economic Development Council. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  10. ^ Kinney, Jim. "The 126-acre Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield now in hands of California mortgage holder". Mass Live. Retrieved 4 September 2021.

42°39′03″N 72°27′18″W / 42.6508°N 72.4549°W / 42.6508; -72.4549