PITTSFIELD (MA)
WHEC - NBC News10 [Rochester NY]
September 10, 2026
By Dan Passante
Former Miss Hall’s School science teacher Matthew Johnson appeared at the Berkshire County Superior Court Thursday, pleading not guilty to one count of assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery over age 14. Johnson was released after his appearance in front of the judge.
“The defendant will be released on personal recognizance,” said the judge. “With the condition that he stay away and have no contact with the alleged victims in this matter.”
Now 70 years old and living in Norfolk, Connecticut, Johnson only spent one year at Miss Hall’s, beginning in 1993, before being dismissed before the end of the school year 1994. Martha Klay, whose daughter went to Miss Hall’s, has been following the charges against former staff members and came to court for Thursday’s arraignment.
“This whole thing has been a travesty,” said Klay. “We hope this is just the beginning.”
Klay says her daughter is in a Facebook group with other survivors that support each other following abuse they suffered. Klay referenced the Aleta Law report, which was paid for by the Miss Hall’s School, that documents many years of alleged abuse.
“Not just during my daughter’s tenure, but going back decades and decades, this behavior was permitted,” said Klay. “All of the families that I know who have sent their children to other private schools are very concerned and very worried because we know this was not just something that happened at Miss Hall’s School.”
Former Miss Hall’s science teacher accused of assault
Johnson is the third former staff member at Miss Hall’s to be arraigned. Last month, former headmaster Jean Norris was arraigned on one count of reckless endangerment of a child. In April, former teacher Matthew Rutledge was arraigned on three counts of rape after Melissa Fares and Hilary Simon testified that their contact with Rutledge was not consensual. Allegations made against Rutledge revived conversations about a legal loophole in Massachusetts that prevented law enforcement from bringing charges against him at the time. That loophole was closed over the summer.
Miss Hall’s School shared a statement with NEWS10 regarding Johnson’s arraignment”
“Miss Hall’s School and its leadership remain committed to learning the truth about what happened in our past and to caring for our community,” reads the statement. “We continue to encourage anyone with information about sexual misconduct at Miss Hall’s to bring their concerns forward to investigating authorities.”
Johnson’s next court date is October 28. Next week, Rutledge is expected to appear back in court.