Suffield AcademySunday, November 8
Suffield Academy hires outside counsel to probe leadership and finances after IRS leave
The Daily Hartford team
If you know someone at Suffield Academy, here's where things stand. The school announced Oct. 22 that Charles Cahn III was on leave, effective immediately, after it learned of "an investigation by the Internal Revenue Service involving [Cahn]." Behind the scenes, the school told board members the probe concerns only Cahn's personal finances, not the school's.
Cahn led Suffield for 22 years of big pay and big building
- 22 years
- Cahn led Suffield
- $1 million
- topped in his total pay each year, 2020 through 2024
- $120 million
- invested in construction during his tenure, the school says
- $79,400
- annual tuition for boarding students
Sources: Boston.com, The Boston Globe
Then the questions grew. The Globe found that board member Lillian Chen, who resigned last month, ran a business promising to "ensure admission" to selective boarding schools, and Cahn had headlined events for it. Police said Cahn was reported missing before he was found in Maine. Thursday night, the school said it hired outside legal counsel "to conduct a thorough investigation of matters involving school leadership and finances."
Suffield went quiet for two weeks after Cahn's leave
- Oct. 22Police say Cahn, reported missing, was found in Maine that afternoon.
- Oct. 22Suffield announces Cahn is on leave, effective immediately, over an IRS investigation.
- Oct. 27New head Casey Bobo emails the school; the message does not mention Cahn.
- Nov. 5Globe reports board member Lillian Chen resigned; school says it hired outside counsel.
Sources: Boston.com, bostonglobe.com, The Boston Globe
- Campus: 350 acres between Hartford and Springfield
- Students: about 420, roughly two-thirds of them boarders
- Cahn and the IRS did not respond to requests for comment
- Casey Bobo is now head of school
Sources: Boston.com, bostonglobe.com, The Boston Globe