PITTSFIELD (MA)
WWLP [Springfield, MA]
August 20, 2026
By Ashley Shook
The video in the player above is the latest coverage by 22News of the arraignment of former school head Jeannie Norris. See original article for video.
A former teacher at Miss Hall’s School in Pittsfield was indicted on three assault charges.
According to the Berkshire District Attorney’s Office, 70-year-old Matthew Johnson of Norfolk, Connecticut, was indicted on Thursday by a grand jury in Berkshire Superior Court on assault with intent to rape and two counts of indecent assault and battery over the age of 14.
Former head of Pittsfield all-girls school arraigned in sexual abuse probe
Johnson was a science teacher at Miss Hall’s School from 1993 to 1994. The charges stem from his tenure at the school, and an arraignment date has not yet been scheduled. Johnson is the third former staff member of Miss Hall’s School indicted in connection with the abuse case.
The DA’s Office has been investigating allegations of abuse at the school involving former students. It specifically focused on former teacher Matthew Rutledge after multiple allegations emerged in 2024. Miss Hall’s School has released an investigative report detailing sexual misconduct by Rutledge, who was employed from 1991 to 2024.
Rutledge is charged with three counts of rape related to the alleged sexual assault of two of his former students, Hilary Simon and Melissa Fares. He pleaded not guilty in April.
In addition, the former head of Miss Hall’s School, Jeannie Norris, is being charged with reckless endangerment of a child. Norris served as head of the all-girls school from 1996 to 2012. Prosecutors have previously said Norris was allegedly aware of inappropriate relationships between Rutledge and students and received multiple reports regarding his conduct. She was arraigned on Monday and is scheduled for a pre-trial hearing in November.
Last week, current Head of School Julia Heaton announced she would step down at the end of the 2026-27 school year, citing the school’s ongoing efforts toward accountability and reform. “We have faced painful truths and are continuing to do the hard but necessary work of accountability, repair, and change. We have sent forth hundreds of MHS graduates who will make the world better.”
Gov. Healey signs bill to protect young abuse victims
In July, Governor Healey signed a new bill into law aimed at protecting young sexual abuse victims. The legislation specifically addresses a legal loophole that had allowed authority figures to use the age of consent as a defense against sexual abuse allegations involving minors between the ages of 16 and 17.
As the investigation continues, the DA’s office is asking anyone with information about alleged abuse at Miss Hall’s School to contact the Berkshire State Police Detective Unit at 413-449-5055 or email BerkshireSPDUtips@mass.gov.