Community Updates

All impacted individuals were directly notified by Kent School of Clery's actions in April 2023. When Kent School learned of this matter in early 2023, it retained an independent forensic technology firm, Vancord, to review Clery's use of Kent School's information technology systems. Vancord discovered that Clery accessed the photographs and videos of approximately 70 students and 11 employees. The School then reported Clery’s conduct to the Connecticut State Police, who commenced an investigation resulting in the criminal charges against Clery. The School is not aware of Clery accessing the personal information of any students or employees beyond those who were notified in April 2023.

The Vancord forensic investigation found no evidence that Clery accessed financial, banking, or Social Security information. The School is also not aware of any evidence from the criminal investigation indicating that Clery accessed this type of information. Since Clery’s employment was terminated in February 2023, Kent School has not received any reports from members of the School community indicating that their financial, banking, or Social Security information was accessed or otherwise compromised by Clery.

Neither the Vancord forensic investigation nor the subsequent Connecticut State Police criminal investigation revealed evidence that Clery shared or distributed the photos or videos he accessed. During Clery’s sentencing, his attorney represented to the Court that Clery did not share or distribute the photos or videos to any third parties.

In February of 2023, an employee notified the School's Director of Technology that they believed that Clery had accessed their personal photos without permission. The School immediately commenced an investigation and suspended Clery's access to the School's IT systems. For further information, refer to the timeline below.

In April 2023, Kent School communicated directly with all students and employees whom the Vancord investigation identified as having been impacted by Clery’s actions. The School offered those same individuals counseling and emotional support services, as well as identity monitoring services to help identify any unauthorized use of their personal information by third parties. The School also offered to provide replacement computers to impacted students. The School remains committed to providing assistance to those persons harmed by Clery’s actions. If you are in need of counseling, please contact Associate Head of School Jeff Cataldo at cataldoj@kent-school.edu. The School can also provide information on identity monitoring services.

Kent School has strengthened its cybersecurity and data privacy program through technological advances and investments in systems and practices that protect the School's data. The School has implemented several security and infrastructure initiatives, including enhanced 24/7 security monitoring, stronger identity and access controls, expanded endpoint and email security, improved network and backup infrastructure, and additional third-party oversight of critical systems.

The School also has strengthened account provisioning and offboarding procedures, data retention and access practices, and safeguards governing how Technology staff interact with student devices and data. Kent School continues to regularly evaluate its security protocols through independent assessments, vulnerability scanning, cyber-insurance reviews, and penetration testing.

Read a detailed summary of Kent School’s cybersecurity and data privacy practices.

• February 21, 2023 — Kent School leadership is notified by an employee that Clery has accessed personal information without permission. Once notified, Kent School commences an investigation and suspends Clery's access to all networks, servers, applications, and other technologies.
• February 21, 2023–March 15, 2023 — Kent School performs an internal investigation, including interviews with employees and discussions with third-party experts.
• February 27, 2023 — Kent School terminates Clery's employment.
• March 15, 2023 — Kent School hires Vancord to perform a forensic investigation of Clery’s actions.
• March 30, 2023 — Kent School receives a report and summary of findings from Vancord and notifies the Connecticut State Police of Clery’s actions.
• March 30, 2023–June 29, 2026 — Kent School cooperates with and provides information as requested to assist with the State Police investigation.
• April 18, 2023 — Kent School communicates with impacted students and employees, and parents of impacted students.
• April 20, 2023 — Kent School communicates with impacted students and employees and provides guidance to them on safeguarding personal information.
• June 8, 2023 — Kent School communicates with impacted students and employees on how the School can assist them with counseling and identity monitoring services.
• October 9 & 11, 2024 — Kent School provides updates to impacted students and employees that the Court has appointed a Victim's Advocate to assist them.
• October 14, 2024 — Kent School Head of School communicates with the Court-appointed Victim's Advocate. Kent School notifies the Court and the community of its opposition to Clery's application for Accelerated Rehabilitation. Kent School holds a video call to provide updates on the criminal proceeding and to listen to thoughts, concerns, and suggestions from the victims.
• October 15, 2024 — Kent School provides an update on the criminal proceeding and available support resources to employees.
• December 16, 2024–June 29, 2026 — Kent School's Associate Head of School and Director of Technology meet with the State's Attorney prosecuting Clery. Kent School continues to cooperate and provide assistance to the State's Attorney. 
• February 11, 2025 — A group of former students files a proposed class-action lawsuit against Kent School in Torrington Superior Court.
• March 21, 2025 — The proposed class-action lawsuit is transferred to the Complex Litigation Docket in Waterbury Superior Court. 
• March 9, 2026 — In the proposed class action, the Court grants partial class certification regarding certain specific liability issues. The Court denies class certification regarding damages and holds that damages must be established and proven by each individual claimant.
• March 16, 2026 — Clery enters no contest pleas to two counts of first-degree computer crime. The Court enters findings of guilty on both counts.
• June 29, 2026
  • Kent School Head of School provides a victim impact statement to the Court describing the harm caused by Clery’s actions.
  • Several former students and a former employee also provide the Court with victim impact statements.
  • Clery is sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment, with the prison term suspended pending his compliance with the terms of probation. Conditions of probation include no contact with victims and strict monitoring and restrictions on his use of computers, electronic devices, and the internet. He is also required to register as a sex offender for 10 years.
• August 17, 2026 — Kent School and the plaintiffs in the civil case jointly propose a Scheduling Order that includes a proposed trial date in September 2028.
• August 24, 2026 — The Court orders that written notice of the class action be provided to all students who attended Kent School between 2016 and 2023.