The woods and hills, the low density, the open space, and gentle air prompted many of the first European settlers of the Berkshires to call it Eden. Now 300 years later, they are coming again. Once again, they are coming for the land. This time, what will they leave behind?
Police describe widespread eye-poking, fingers twisted until breaking, lacerations from slamming heads and throwing, bone-breaking punches, pinching, cutting, and other injuries, much of it done while the victims were held in restraints. So far, 16 former Eagleton School employees face criminal charges.
The Eagleton School in Great Barrington was shut down after its licenses were revoked over what the state said was a systemic culture of staff abuse of students and subsequent cover-ups of that abuse.
“Over the past three months, there appears to have been a conscious decision by Eagleton’s administration not to report the scope and extent of residents’ injuries to the EEC and other state agencies to avoid investigation.”
--- Department of Early Education and Care report on abuses of students at Eagleton School
“Fundamental and grave concerns about health and safety and regulatory compliance at Eagleton School compromise the program's ability to provide a safe, healthy, and appropriate educational environment.”
--- Assessment by the state Department of Early and Secondary Education