Linden Hill School
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| Linden Hill School | |
|---|---|
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| Location | |
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| Information | |
| School type | Private, Boarding |
| Motto | Community, Loyalty, Responsibility, Integrity, Respect |
| Established | 1961 |
| Founder | George & Penny Hayes |
| Status | closed |
| Closed | 2012 |
| Enrolment | 25 as of 2012 |
| Campus | Rural |
| Houses | formerly - Hayes Dorm, Bennett House, Haskell Hall |
| Color(s) | Green & Dark Blue |
| Song | Simple Gifts |
| Mascot | Lynx |
| Newspaper | Linden Hill Times |
| Website | http://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 mater | Niagara University |
| Occupation(s) | Educator, Headmaster |
| Known for | PEDOPHELIA |
| Successor | James McDaniel |
| Criminal charge |
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| Details | |
| Victims | Brian Johnson [3] |
| Date | March 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 incident occurred in the headmasters house where, Holland let students who were “stressed or sick.” 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]
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services (OCCS) cited Linden Hill School for unlicensed rooms that students were staying in in the headmaster’s house in 1999.
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]
Lawsuits
The school sued former headmaster Michael Holland, stating in the complaint, “As a direct and proximate of Holland’s breaches Linden Hill School has incurred substantial damages” in an attempt to recover lost revenue and costs resulting mainly from Holland’s sexual abuse publicity which resulted in a drastic drop in enrollment.
Closure
Hit hard by recession and sexual abuse cases, 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
- ^ MassLive, The Associated Press | (2012-05-09). "Linden Hill School in Northfield closing its doors". masslive. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
- ^ "Massachusetts Dyslexic Schools". Retrieved 20 April 2012.
- ^ "MassCourts". Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. "The Gow School" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- ^ https://www.seacoastonline.com/article/20030523/NEWS/305239977
- ^ Tom Dinki. "Former Gow School student recounts being raped by teacher in the 1990s". Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- ^ Julia M. Hilliker, Esq. "The Gow School" (PDF). Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "The 126-Acre Redemption Christian Academy In Northfield Now In Hands Of California Mortgage Holder". Western Mass Economic Development Council. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
- ^ Kinney, Jim. "The 126-acre Redemption Christian Academy in Northfield now in hands of California mortgage holder". Mass Live. Retrieved 4 September 2021.