Massachusetts education officials have moved to close down a residential school for disabled children in the Berkshires that’s been accused of abuse and neglect.
The Eagleton School in Great Barrington serves boys and young men between 9 and 22 with emotional and developmental disabilities, from autism to behavior disorders.
School staff were accused of assaulting students, using improper restraints, failing to report injuries, and emotional cruelty.
Law enforcement raided the school in January, which led to arrests of five staff members and sanctions from the Massachusetts department of education.
This week, officials determined the school has failed to comply with the sanctions — like never leaving any one staff member alone with a student — and continued to permit neglect and mistreatment. The state issued an order to revoke the school’s license within 21 days if Eagleton does not appeal.
Eagleton released a statement saying it’s in talks with other residential and special education providers to take over the school’s operations.