In Today's News :"Unclear if state mandated reporter law applies to former Brooks headmaster"
Unclear if state mandated reporter law applies to former Brooks headmaster January 11, 2013 By Douglas Moser dmoser@eagletribune.com Unclear if state mandated reporter law applies to former Brooks headmaster NORTH ANDOVER — The relationship Brooks School disclosed last week involving its former headmaster and a one-time student was not reported to state children’s services authorities, and it is unclear whether a report was required under state law with the information made public so far. Massachusetts requires a range of professionals who work with or near children, including school officials, to report suspicions or evidence of neglect or physical or sexual abuse to the state Department of Families and Children or face a fine. Brooks disclosed in a letter to alumni on Jan. 3 that former headmaster Lawrence W. Becker had an inappropriate relationship with a student at some point during his tenure. A school spokeswoman said the relationship occurred while publisher Steve For