Key School asks former judge to lead investigation into alleged abuse at Annapolis private school

Key School leaders have asked a prominent retired judge to lead an independent investigation into alleged inappropriate relationships between teachers and students decades ago at the private school in Annapolis.

The school announced in February an independent investigation into allegations that surfaced on social media and an online petition, stating that teachers had inappropriate sexual relations with students in the 1970s and possibly the 1980s.

Head of School Matthew Nespole and Board of Trustees President Joe Janney wrote March 15 to parents, staff and alumni that they had been seeking an investigator for weeks. But there is one step left before Judge Lynn Battaglia can investigate.

“While retired, Judge Battaglia still performs judicial duties as a recalled judge, hearing cases in the Court of Appeals,” the leaders wrote. “She has requested a waiver from the Judicial Ethics Committee to enable her to act as investigator and is currently awaiting the committee’s response.”

Battaglia served as an associate judge of the Maryland Court of Appeals between 2001 and 2016. In Maryland, judges must retire at 70 — and that’s why she left the court in 2016, according to media reports.

She served as U.S. Attorney for the District of Maryland between 1993 and 2001. Battaglia also served two years as Chief of Staff for former U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski.

She also has three years under her belt as the chief of the Criminal Investigations Division for Maryland’s Office of the Attorney General.

Carolyn Surrick of Crownsville, who said she survived misconduct at the school, created the online petition sparking the investigation. Surrick said Thursday that Battaglia is very qualified to lead an investigation.

“I think that the person the school has chosen is an incredibly great choice,” she said.

Lt. Ryan Frashure, Anne Arundel County polices spokesman, said police are investigating the allegations and are still looking to speak with any possible victims or witnesses. They’re seeking any information through the department tip line: 410-222-4700. He declined to comment on the status of the investigation.

In a Feb. 25 email to the school community, Key school leaders said they believe in the credibility of the allegations.

“It is our opinion that individuals who were part of the Key community in the past failed to protect our students and to respond appropriately to reports of faculty misconduct made by former students,” they wrote.

In the letter, they apologized to those affected and said they are committed to discovering the truth.