Resignation of Jeffrey Maher as the Independent Compliance Overseer for St. Paul’s School

October 19, 2020 
For immediate release 
Contact: Alyssa Dandrea, [email protected], (802) 451-8491 
  
Early today, the New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office released a statement regarding the immediate resignation of Jeffrey Maher, the Independent Compliance Overseer for St. Paul’s School since early 2019. His role was established in a 2018 Settlement Agreement that called for government oversight of St. Paul’s School for a period of up to five years, and Mr. Maher was tasked with ensuring that the school remained compliant with the agreement and relevant New Hampshire’s laws, including the law related to mandatory reporting of child abuse. His resignation demonstrates the persistent challenges faced in holding St. Paul’s accountable and ensuring effective oversight and transparency. 
 
It appears that St. Paul’s believes it is above the law and does not have to comply with the terms of the settlement. 
 
“St. Paul’s School does not seem capable of creating a cultural shift on campus that prioritizes the health and safety of students entrusted to its care,” said Lyn Schollett, Executive Director of the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence. “The school continues to prioritize it’s status over the well-being of its students. Leadership at St. Paul’s School had an opportunity to make significant change, but instead treated their agreement with the Department of Justice with resistance and hostility. Students have continued to disclose that they have felt bullied and silenced by the school, the same conduct that Mr. Maher reports in his resignation letter has been inflicted upon him. The news of Mr. Maher’s resignation represents a betrayal to past and current students who believed in good faith that the school had its best interests at heart.” 
 
Schollett continued, “Mr. Maher has long demonstrated a deep commitment to the rights of victims and the importance of ensuring a safe campus for all students. The absence of his expertise at St. Paul’s will be felt deeply throughout the Concord community.” 
 
If you or a loved one have experienced abuse or sexual assault you are not alone and there is help. Advocates are available to provide support, information and create a plan for safety. Services are free and confidential and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To learn more visit nhcadsv.org.  
 
CONFIDENTIAL STATEWIDE HOTLINES 
24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 
1-866-644-3574 
24-hour Sexual Assault Hotline: 
1-800-277-5570 
​Text and chat services are also available. Visit www.nhcadsv.org for more information. 
 
About the Coalition: 
NHCADSV is a statewide network of 13 independent member programs committed to ending sexual violence, domestic violence, and stalking, through direct services to victims, community education, and public policy advocacy. The NHCADSV and its 13 member programs do not discriminate based on gender, age, health status (including HIV-positive), physical, mental, or emotional ability, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, socio-economic status, race, national origin, immigration status, or religious or political affiliation. For more information visit www.nhcadsv.org. 
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