School Safety

List of 7 items.

• Frequently Asked Questions

  For those who were unable to attend Community Meetings in January, these Frequently Asked Questions cover the primary topics of the Community Meetings and reiterate the questions asked by attendees. As always, we encourage you to contact the Board at usnboard@usn.org if we can answer further questions or be of any assistance to you and your families.

  Topic 1: The Barnes & Thornburg Investigation and Report

   

  What led the Board to open a new investigation into the conduct of former teacher Dean Masullo? In May of 2024, a USN senior, now an alumna, reported inappropriate behavior by former High School English teacher Dean Masullo. After an initial investigation, Masullo was found to have violated numerous USN policies and was terminated by the school in July 2024.

   

  At the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year, several documents about the Masullo matter circulated through the USN community. These documents contained troubling information that made it clear to the Board of Trustees that there were important concerns about how the alumna was cared for at USN and about the school’s policies and communication related to the situation. In consultation with USN’s new legal counsel, Sims|Funk, PLC, the Board established an Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety in September and decided to open a new, independent investigation with a broadened scope to review both the alumna’s original complaint and the response by the school.

   

  This new independent report, conducted by the law firm Barnes & Thornburg, LLP, detailed findings from a three-month investigation during which dozens of individuals were interviewed. This report was presented to the Board in December and January. In assessing the school’s response, the report identified problematic actions and inactions by the Director and issues and recommendations related to the Board of Trustees, particularly in the area of governance. As a result of the conclusions outlined in the report, the Board voted on January 6, 2025 to terminate Director Amani Reed and to make the report, in its entirety, available to the community.

   

  To ensure that USN’s operations are not impacted by this unexpected development, Head of High School Chai Reddy, Ed.D. has been named Acting Head of School while USN goes through a process to identify its next leader. The Board and administration’s priorities are to:

  • Assure that the school’s academic excellence and unsurpassed experience is maintained during this time;
  • Improve policies and practices so that nothing like this ever occurs again at USN;
  • Care for the community as USN strives to build for the future and heal.

  Why was Director Amani Reed terminated from USN? The report, which has been shared in its entirety with the USN community, identified numerous actions and inactions by Director Reed related to his handling of the Dean Masullo matter. After reviewing the report and deliberating, the Board concluded that Director Reed could no longer lead the school and decided to part ways with him. 

   

  Topic 2: The Board of Trustees and Board Governance

   

  What was the responsibility of the Board in this matter, and how has it taken ownership of its deficiencies? The Board deeply apologizes for the toll that the Dean Masullo matter has taken on our alumna and the entire USN community. The Board has taken accountability for its role, as specified in the Barnes & Thornburg report, and instigated numerous actions to provide paths forward for transparency and healing, including: 

  • Addressing and implementing every recommendation for Board improvement outlined in the report;
  • Providing consistent and open information and community updates;
  • Creating dialogue with and providing care and support to the alumna and her family;
  • Establishing the Community Task Force, which includes faculty, staff, students, alumni, and Board representatives to review and provide recommendations for future policies related to reporting sexual misconduct. This group is reviewing and improving USN policies to reflect national best practices and the school’s values;
  • Engaging Learning Courage, a national nonprofit group that will provide guidance and support to USN and its families for moving forward and healing from the Masullo situation;
  • Offered small group meetings with K-12 faculty and staff to listen, learn, and support to build understanding during the fall semester
  • Hosted a series of Community Meetings to provide an opportunity to address questions and issues.

  Will the Board or specific Trustees resign as a result of this situation? Importantly, the extensive Barnes and Thornburg report did not identify wrongdoing or inappropriate actions by any individual Board members. It specified items that the Board and school can improve in the future to prevent a future situation like this from happening at USN. Many of USN’s outdated Board practices that were cited developed over decades. Had any individual Board members been identified in the report or found to have acted inappropriately, they would indeed resign or be asked to step down.
  
  

  It is important to recognize that, especially during this time of uncertainty, it is not in the best interest of the school for Trustees to resign and leave the school with no governing body, which could jeopardize accreditation. The Board is committed to continuing to do significant difficult work that is now required to see this situation through and help USN recover and heal. 

   

  The Board also knows that its work and its communication are more important now than ever, given the strategic and leadership decisions that will be made over the coming months and years. Along with the experience, skill sets, and commitment of Trustees, USN will leverage the incredible base of talent in its network by adding new voices to the Board and consulting expert advisors where appropriate.

   

  Board officers are elected every May, and nominations for new Trustees are open annually throughout January. The Board has a Trusteeship Committee. The committee is evaluating nominations and in the coming weeks will meet with potential new Board members to set expectations and make clear the role and duties of each Trustee. The committee also uses nominations to select community members for the Board’s 10 standing committees.

   

  The report highlights a series of concerns about the Board over the past several years, even before former Director Vince Durnan’s retirement. What specifically is being done to change this? There is an active process that began before this recent incident to rewrite and adapt Board bylaws to address practical governance issues while also reviewing best practices for Boards of independent schools. These bylaws are expected to be finalized by the end of the school year with help from outside experts, attorneys, and other leaders to ensure that clear and consistent standards exist to hold Trustees accountable for their governance. The Board will also undertake mandatory training about Board governance, responsibility and bylaws to ensure that each member is able to abide by their duties to the school.

    

  What does the Board do? The Board, which is a volunteer body primarily consisting of parents, parents of alumni, and alumni, oversees policies and governance of the school. The Board is not responsible for operations. The Director/Head of School is the only employee of the Board, meaning the Board helps set objectives and priorities and the Director/Head of School implements them without mandate or management by the Board. The Director/Head of School is empowered to run the school and make operational decisions, including hiring and firing of all faculty and administration, in alignment with best practices and USN’s unique values.

   

  How can we trust Board leadership? The Board hopes that by working together with increased communication and discussion around all important topics, the community will understand the commitment and hard work being done. The Board is comprised of parents, parents of alumni, and alumni who love USN and are focused on the school’s excellence, future, and healing. Countless conversations have been held with those affected by the Masullo investigation, and listening to others will continue. Both the Board and USN’s senior leadership team are dedicated to openness and responsiveness throughout this transition period.

   

  Topic 3: Care of Students

   

  How is USN making certain that nothing like this happens again? In order to mitigate future incidents like this one, the Board has established a Community Task Force including people from across the USN community who are reviewing and improving school policies to reflect national best practices and USN’s values.  This will include recommending policy changes; raising community standards, and increasing training — mandatory and otherwise — to ensure that adults and children at USN understand their role in these situations and the support available to them.

   

  USN is also partnering with Learning Courage, a national nonprofit that advises and supports schools that have experienced sexual misconduct, to ensure the strategies and resources in place are best suited to prevent future incidents.

    

  How is the school supporting students who may be suffering? USN has deepened internal counseling efforts and availability and is working with outside resources, including Learning Courage, to ensure that every student who needs support knows what help is available to them. The Community Task Force will also prioritize student care in its recommendations, including strengthening policies around faculty interaction and student reporting. If you or your student would like to discuss how the school can best support you at this time, please email Director of Counseling Beth Eberl.

   

  Topic 4: Support of Faculty and Staff

   

  What steps is USN taking to support and retain faculty and staff during this time? The Board realizes that the investigation has created significant stress on faculty and staff and prioritizes their health and well-being. Board members, in partnership with Acting Head of School Chai Reddy, Ed.D. and Director of Counseling Beth Eberl, have amplified the counseling and care of faculty and staff so that their feedback is heard and their unlimited contributions are celebrated. In addition to providing new resources for counseling, this will include providing small groups for listening and understanding all needs and concerns so that USN can be the best place to work for every employee.

   

  Topic 5: Financial Impact

   

  What impact has this issue had on the financial health of the school and will the cost of this investigation impact tuition now or in future years? Costs associated with the Masullo investigation are not funded through the operating budget, Annual Fund gifts, or tuition increases. Costs are covered by the school’s cash reserves, which were built through years of responsible fiscal stewardship to equip the school with resources needed to respond to unforeseen circumstances. As unfortunate as it is to spend school funds in this way, it has been clear that these steps are necessary to restore trust and respond to the needs of the community.

   

  What is USN doing to shore up the institution against any negative financial impact? USN is fortunate to be in a very strong financial position. The school does not foresee any need to adjust strategy or approach for this matter. Like all independent schools, USN relies on a number of revenue streams that provide a safety net during challenging situations. The school is charging full speed ahead – the exceptional work happening in the classrooms, gyms, and studios speaks for itself. Additionally, USN is working to improve policies, procedures, and trainings to minimize the risk of instances like this happening again.

   

  What has been the impact of this matter on admissions and interest in attending USN? USN has an exceptional reputation for academic and community excellence, rooted in a 100+ year history. The school does not anticipate any issues in filling open spots, as the pipeline for admissions continues to be robust and interest in coming to USN remains high. There is no reason to believe this year’s enrollment and desire to attend USN is any different than in years past.

   

  Has the Board discussed its options toward Fisher Phillips law firm that led the first investigation, considering the harm to the community done by the former Director acting on its legal counsel? No options are off the table, but the school is focused on the healing process and resolving more pressing matters.
  
  

  What is the status of the school's lawsuit against Dean Masullo? Our primary goal in filing the lawsuit was to compel Dr. Masullo to cooperate during an independent investigation this past fall. Now that the investigation has concluded, we are focused on moving forward, healing as a community, and caring for our students and faculty.

   

  Topic 6: The Interim Head of School Search

   

  What is the anticipated timeline for selecting an Interim Head of School and then the next long-term Head of School? An Interim Head of School will begin no later than July 1, 2025. Due to the typical timelines related to Head of School searches nationwide, the long-term Head of School will be in place for the 2026-2027 academic year.

   

  Will internal candidates be considered during the search? Yes, the Search Committees will consider both internal candidates affiliated with USN as well as former USN community members with the needed qualifications.

   

  What key competencies is USN seeking in the next head of school? For both the Interim Head of School and long-term Head of School, USN is seeking an experienced academic leader first and foremost, with an emphasis on excellent communication and relationship-building skills. The decision will be centered around feedback from the USN community, as the next Head of School’s goal will be to partner with community members and school leaders to enact a shared vision of USN’s future.

   

  Topic 7: School Operations and Strategic Planning

   

  How will the school ensure stability for students and faculty throughout this transition period? USN is a strong community, and while recent months have been challenging, the school’s countless positive attributes are unfailing, and the families that make up the community are exceptional. The Board of Trustees, Acting Head of School Chai Reddy, Ed.D., and the Administrative Team are responding to the needs and priorities of every campus constituency. These teams have pulled together in an impressive way, and school leaders will continue to listen and prioritize their concerns to assure that USN’s incredible culture of excellence continues to flourish during this time.

   

  Some individuals referenced in the Barnes & Thornburg report were unfairly characterized and what will happen to them? The independence of the report requires that USN trust in the fact-finding of the experienced, independent investigative team. As part of its commitment to independence and transparency, the Board ensured that the full report was published as written by the investigators with only names redacted. In terms of actions, USN’s Acting Head of School is responsible for Human Resources and will evaluate any faculty or staff behavior in the report.

   

  Will USN be moving forward with the Strategic Plan developed in 2023-2024? The new strategic plan, completed in 2024, is an ambitious and bold vision for the future of USN, developed with input from hundreds of community members. The Board anticipates launching the plan within the next few weeks. The investigation in the fall led the school to pause those efforts, but now that the investigation has concluded, the Strategic Planning Committee is returning attention to this important, community-focused effort to drive USN into the future.

  Read More

• Important Documents

  Community Meetings Leaflet
  
  The following documents were shared with the PDS/USN community and made available to the public on this webpage on January 7, 2025.
  

  • Investigation Report
  • Board Summary
  • Press Release: USN parts ways with Director Amani Reed

• Most Recent Communications

  February 5, 2025
  FAQs from Community Meetings from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  January 19, 2025

  An Update from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  January 16, 2025
  Community Meetings on January 23 & 24 from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  January 7, 2025
  Investigation Report and Board Actions from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  December 13, 2024
  Investigation & Task Force Update from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  November 8, 2024

  Task Force Update from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  October 25, 2024

  Investigation & Task Force Update from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  October 18, 2024

  An Update on the Community Task Force from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  October 16, 2024

  Reflecting on Today’s Demonstration from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  October 9, 2024
  An Update on the Masullo Investigation from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  October 4, 2024
  Investigation Updates from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  September 26, 2024

  Sharing the Process Ahead from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community
  
  September 24, 2024
  Thank You - We Hear You from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to faculty & staff
  
  September 20, 2024

  We are truly sorry from the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety to the PDS/USN community

  
  

  September 13, 2024

  An Update from the Board of Trustees from Eric Kopstain, Board President to the PDS/USN community

  Read More

• Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety

  The purpose of the Ad Hoc Committee for School Safety of the Board is to determine the best course of action for the Board pertaining to a school safety matter. To accomplish these objectives, the Ad Hoc Committee is empowered to enlist appropriate resources on behalf of the Board, particularly in the realm of legal, subject-matter expertise, and communications support.

   

  Benjamin Goldberg, Committee Co-Chair, Alumnus ’98, Parent ’32 and ’36

  Kristin Wilson, Committee Co-Chair, Parent ’29 and ’32

  Mike Bivens, Annual Fund Co-Chair, Parent ’25

  Marcya Carter-Sheats, Parent ’34

  Vinh Duong, Parent of Alumna ’23, Parent ’28

  Reagan Farr, Parent ’26 and ’30

  Eric Kopstain, Board President and Parent ’25

  
  
  

  Read More

• Community Task Force

  Our community is full of incredibly qualified and caring individuals, and we value everyone’s feedback throughout the investigation process. To ensure we gain the full advantage of community input, the Board of Trustees collected nominations from the USN community in September for a Task Force. Announced in October, the Task Force will ensure rigorously that our school policies & training, student support systems, and reporting practices match and exceed the best practices for independent schools. If you need to contact the Task Force, please send a message to taskforce@usn.org. 

  
  

  Task Force on Educator/Staff Appropriate Behavior and Misconduct Response, Communication, and Policy Review 

  • Julia Morris, Task Force Co-Chair, Past Trustee, Grandparent ’31 and ’34
  • Jenn Russell, Task Force Co-Chair, Trustee, Parent ’29
  • Libin Abdulle '26
  • Leila Abolfazli, Parent ’28 and ’31
  • McLean Barbieri ’97, Trustee, Parent ’25 and ’31
  • Lindsay Barrera, Operations Coordinator
  • Joel Bezaire, Assistant Head of Middle School for Academics, Parent ’29 and ’33
  • Trish Buckner, Lower School Counselor
  • Kavi Carmona, USNA Member-at-Large, Parent ’35 and ’37
  • Cindy Crenshaw, Math Department Chair, Parent of Alumni ’15 and ’18
  • Rick Ewing ’83, Parent of Alumna ’24
  • Joanna Hall, USNA Past President, Parent ’25 and ’27, Parent of Alumnus ’22
  • Catherine Knowles, Parent ’26, Parent of Alumna ’18
  • Miranda Lee Buell ’08
  • Zinnia Nichols Loller ’25
  • Ruby Meador ’29
  • Chris Mixon, Parent ’27 and ’30
  • Eleanor Molvig '25
  • Shell Phelps, Human Resources Director
  • Kathryn Sasser, Parent ’27 and ’31
  • Bronson Schmidt ’25
  • Janet Schneider, Retired Director of College Counseling, Parent of Alumni ’03 and ’05
  • Saul Sharfstein '25
  • Latoya Townsend, USNA Member-at-Large, Parent ’32 and ’36

  
  

  Task Force Charge

  The Task Force is charged with providing substantive input to the Board of Trustees and USN administration on USN’s current practices, policies, and communication strategies concerning issue response. This input will reflect to the largest extent possible the relevant SAIS Standards and Indicators, recommendations of the NAIS Independent School Task Force on Educator Sexual Misconduct: Prevention and Response, and any other relevant legal guidelines and best practices. The goal of the Task Force is to help identify areas for improvement, propose actionable recommendations, and ensure that USN fosters a safe, supportive, and transparent environment for all members of its community. The Board and USN administrators will utilize this input along with feedback from the currently ongoing independent investigation to make material improvements to (1) the school’s policies, procedures, and enforcement of those policies and procedures, related to the mental and physical safety of students; and (2) the future handling of reports of inappropriate conduct by members of the USN community. Specific focus will be placed on:

  1. Policy Review: Evaluating current policies regarding inappropriate and/or boundary crossing behavior and sexual misconduct to ensure they align with SAIS Standards and Indicators, NAIS recommendations for prevention and response, and any relevant current legal standards.
  2. Response and Reporting Mechanisms: Assessing how incidents are reported, documented, investigated, and resolved, ensuring that systems are accessible, clear, and fair for all involved parties, and reviewing supportive service provisions and approaches to community support as incidents unfold.
  3. Communication Protocols: Reviewing how USN communicates with students, families, staff, and the broader community when incidents arise, ensuring a balance between transparency, privacy, and legal considerations.
  4. Training and Prevention: Identifying gaps in education and training related to appropriate behavior and boundaries for all members of the USN community, including faculty, staff, students, and parents.
  5. Culture and Climate Assessment: Gathering feedback from the USN community to understand perceptions of the current culture regarding awareness, support systems, and how comfortable individuals feel about reporting concerns related to appropriate behavior and boundaries.
  6.  Support Services for the USN Community: Identifying services that should be available to all members of the USN community.

  Read More

• Fall 2024 Investigation

  Contact the Investigators

  Email usn@btlaw.com 

  Call 615-621-6097

  
  Barnes & Thornburg is conducting an independent investigation into unacceptable and inappropriate behavior of former faculty member Dean Masullo. The scope of this investigation is comprehensive and will include, among other things, the underlying conduct, the school’s response to it, and recommendations of best practices for the future. The full scope may be viewed here. The scope is a guide for the new investigators — not a limitation. Barnes & Thornburg may pursue any information or testimony investigators deem relevant, with the full cooperation of USN, its Board, and its employees.
  
  Barnes & Thornburg has developed a core team of five investigators, four of whom identify as female, one of whom is a member of an underrepresented community, and two of whom are members of the LGBTQ+ community. B&T has additional members of its compliance and investigations group who it will call on, as needed, who bring additional diverse social and racial backgrounds and perspectives. To learn more about the firm’s experience, click here. To learn more about the investigation’s independence, click here.

  
  If you would like to share information that you believe would be relevant to the scope of the new investigation, please email usn@btlaw.com or call the hotline at 615-621-6097.

  Read More

• Steps to Educate & Protect Students

  Curriculum & Programming

  Since 2019, University School of Nashville has worked with Authentic Connections to assess twice yearly the health, well-being, and community life of USN High School students through scientific surveys. We began monitoring our faculty health and well-being data in 2020 and added our Middle School students in 2023. That qualitative data is evaluated, compared with results of those at other high-achieving schools, and used to inform and guide USN's student and parent programming, including some shared below.
  
  In 2019, USN High School started with the Green Dot program, a culturally responsive intervention used at many college and university campuses to promote safe, healthy, and engaged communities. The school transitioned in 2022 to active bystander education for HS students, faculty, and staff to learn about how to use the four bystander intervention strategies (direct, distract, delegate, and delay) when they see things that do not reflect the school’s culture. MS faculty and staff received training in 2023 to model being an active bystander for their students in grades 5-8, who began a modified active bystander intervention program in spring 2024. This training helps keep students and their peers safe.
  
  

  Lessons for our youngest students are based in Social Emotional Learning, and USN recently adopted the curriculum “Character Strong.” For many years, Lower School has worked with Emi Canahuati — a Certified Educator by the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists — to bring “The Birds and The Bees” and “What Sexuality Education Looks Like in Early Childhood” parent education workshops to parents of students in grades K-4 to learn how to best talk to their children in a way that fits within their family’s values. Click here to download the handout Canahuati shares with parents present. It includes recommended books for various age groups and parents. For more resources, visit her website, TalkAndThrive.com.

  
  High School Grade Level Programs
  Human Sexuality Seminars are a multi-installment series of workshops led by community partners, scholars, and practitioners on topics including health dating & relationships, boundaries, consent, and social media & dating.
  
  

  9th Grade

  • Startup Series: Active Bystander Training, Part I
  • Project SAFE: Language of Violence with Dr. Otis McGresham
  • Common Mental Health Disorders and Self Care with Dr. Patrick Michaels

  10th Grade

  • Active Bystander Training, Part 2
  • Human Sexuality Seminars: Planned Parent session on healthy relationships
  • You Have the Power on consent
  • How to Help a Friend and Types of Help Available with Dr. Eboni Webb

  11th Grade

  • SHAPE presentation about sexual assault

  12th Grade

  • Project Safe: Sexual Assault on College Campuses with Dr. Otis McGresham

  
  Student-Led Initiatives

  • Comprised of four High School students, the Student Mental Health Coalition aims to educate and inform the student body by discussing, researching, and raising awareness about mental well-being by hosting HS Assemblies and lunch & learns and sharing informational flyers around the Edgehill Campus. 
  • Sexual Harassment Advocate and Prevention Educators, better known as SHAPE, strives to educate students about sexual harassment and assault in order to promote awareness among HS students. Founded by HS students in 2022, the group focuses on leading presentations, sharing flyers, starting important conversations, and hosting guest speakers like the Sexual Assault Center.
  • Peer Educators and Assistants, known as PEAs, are a selected group of sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have class weekly to discuss current events and bring what they learn to the USN community to educate classmates on pertinent issues.

  
  

  Faculty Training
  

  All USN employees acknowledge receiving school policies through the Employee Handbook upon initial employment with the school and each time it is updated. They also complete required courses "Protecting Children: Identifying and Reporting Sexual Misconduct K-12" and "Mosaic: Prevent Discrimination and Harassment Together: Faculty & Staff - K12." Contracted by USN through United Educators, these online courses cover the distinct risks and opportunities faced by K-12 schools. Those who drive a USN-owned or leased vehicle or a personal vehicle for USN business also complete the United Educators course "Driver Safety Fundamentals - K12."

  
  During their October 2022 inservice, faculty and staff viewed Darkness to Light's flagship training, Stewards of Children, which teaches adults practical actions they can take to reduce instances of child sexual abuse and covers reporting obligations & setting professional boundaries with students.
  
  In August 2024, faculty and staff attended an open inservice training regarding USN’s commitment to ensuring its policies around student safety and boundaries are followed. Additionally, the training emphasized the importance of each faculty and staff member to that process.

  Read More