Frustration and disappointment continue to build among students, parents, faculty and alumni at University School of Nashville following administrators’ handling of alleged sexual misconduct by English teacher Dean Masullo. The school dismissed Masullo over the summer after an internal investigation. Fallout continues, specifically related to the administration’s perceived lack of communication with parents and students.Â
In late August, Alex Little — the student’s attorney — sent a letter to USN’s board asking the school to clarify the investigation into Masullo and apologize for dismissing the student’s requests for better communication. Connor Daryani first reported on this letter for the Nashville Banner. Â
Many parents and students swapped rumors about Masullo’s abrupt absence. Little’s letter set off a flurry of correspondence, a student petition, text threads between parents, angry emails, public criticism and private calls for top administrators to immediately step down.Â
In a letter dated Monday, 20 faculty members wrote to the school's board of trustees criticizing director Amani Reed and top administrator Quinton Walker for prioritizing the school’s reputation and legal considerations over the concerns of the affected student. The same day, Jeff Edmonds — listed as USN’s assistant head of high school for academic affairs — described his experience accompanying the student through weeks of conversations during which attorneys retained by the school replaced administrators and communication gradually cooled, then ceased.Â
20 teachers co-sign letter contesting administration’s response to a former student who said a teacher groomed her
“Any mistakes or poor judgment reflected in what I saw came from human beings struggling to do their best in a vulnerable and risky situation,” Edmonds writes in his preface. “In my opinion the school acted mostly out of fear, which is understandable if not admirable.”
Edmonds shares that the student and her peers were frequently in the dark about the school’s investigation into Masullo. He writes that Walker, USN’s assistant head of school, was initially sympathetic to Masullo, defended his behavior and implied that the student had brought sexual misconduct accusations for financial gain.Â
Through a spokesperson, the school says it “disputes some of the statements” in Edmonds’ letter, which spans 10 pages. Juanita Traughber, USN’s director of communications and marketing, warned the Scene against publishing Edmonds’ letter, stating that “USN will have no choice but to seek any and all legal remedies available, including an injunction against your publication.”
More than 500 students have signed a petition supporting the faculty response and urging the school to hire a third-party investigator to “restore the faith of the community in USN."
Eric Kopstain, president of the USN Board of Trustees, announced Friday afternoon that the school would convene a new task force, engage additional legal counsel and contact Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk to conduct separate reviews of different aspects of the situation. Â
“We apologize that our prior communications have disappointed so many of you,” reads Kopstain’s letter, in part. “We regret that our communications and actions have not adequately addressed your concerns. We seek to continue to listen and take to heart any and all feedback. We will keep you informed about this work when we have new facts to share, hold forums for conversations, and report recommendations to the USN community.”
Disclosure: Motycka is a 2013 graduate of the University School of Nashville.
