Week in Review: New Police Chief Sworn in, Fooball Player Admits to Assult, Fire Displaces Family, and More

Mansfield Football Player Admits to Assaulting Student

Mansfield High School student and football captain Alex Ruddy admitted in Attleboro District Court yesterday to assaulting another student with his belt according to the Sun Chronicle.

The peal-bargain deal, where Ruddy admitted to committing assault and battery, a misdemeanor, will allow Ruddy to return to school.

The case was continued without a finding for one year with probation and will be dismissed if Ruddy is able to stay out of trouble.

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Ronald Sellon Sworn in as New Mansfield Chief of Police

With a swearing-in ceremony on April 1, the transition in police chiefs at the Mansfield Police Department was completed when Sgt. Ron Sellon became Chief Sellon in the special ceremony held at Mansfield High School.

State Senator James Timilty started the evening on a light note, mentioning the suspect date of the swearing in ceremony.

“When I saw the day, I thought there may be something afoot and that it would be Chief O’Neill with another year,” joked Timilty.

The state Senator went on to praise Sellon for what he called a well deserved promotion in one of the finest police departments in the state.

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Mike McLaughlin Sworn in as Mansfield's Newest Firefighter

The swearing-in ceremonies in town continued last night at the selectmen meeting when Mike McLaughlin was sworn in as the town's newest firefighter.

A third generation firefighter and lifelong resident of Mansfield, McLaughlin attended Mass. Maritime Academy and ran his own business on Cape Cod before returning to Mansfield to become a firefighter.

"We're looking at someone who's tied to our community, somebody who has roots in our community, and somebody who understand what service to our community is really about," Fire Chief Neil Boldrighini said of McLaughlin.

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Kitchen and Attic Fire on Stearns Ave. Extinguished by Mansfield FD

At a little past 11 a.m. on April 3, Mansfield fire responded to a house fire on Stearns Ave. after receiving a report of smoke coming out of the home.

According to Fire Chief Neal A. Boldrighini, the fire started in the kitchen before working it’s way up into the attic. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

The fire was put out about 20 minutes after fire crews arrived on the scene. Firefighters did have to make a hole in the roof of the home to assist with removing smoke from the attic.

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Search For New Robinson School Principal Down to 7 Candidates

With the time to submit applications for the principal position at the Robinson School now passed, Superintendent Brenda Hodges said she is almost ready to start interviewing candidates for the job.

According Hodges, seven of the 53 applicants met the criteria for the job and will be considered candidates for the top post at the Robinson School.

Requirements listed in the job posting included a strong background in literacy, mathematics and response to intervention, certification as an elementary school principal, a Master's degree, and five years as an elementary school teacher. Prior administrative experience was also deemed a plus.

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Mansfield Schools Prepare for New State Mandates on Absences and Discipline

In anticipation of stricter rules on absences from the state, students in Mansfield can expect tighter rules on taking days off from school and a larger effort to educate suspended and expelled students thanks to a new mandate from the State House.

Under the state’s guidelines set to take effect starting with the 2014-15 school year, excused absences will be limited to court dates, religious holidays, and illnesses with a doctor’s note. Anything else will count as an unexcused absence. Seniors will be allowed five college visits during school.

According to the state’s mandate, students will be allowed seven absences over a six month period and any student with 15 or more unexcused absences will be considered an automatic drop out.

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