Ex-FHS Principal Retires Early Following 'Fight Club' Scandal

MONTVILLE, CT — Former Foxborough High School principal Jeffrey Theodoss is going back into retirement.

Laurie Pallin, the acting superintendent for the Montville, Connecticut Public School, announced in an email to the district that Theodoss has retired from his position as the Montville High School principal, effective end of August.

"Believing that it is in the best interests of the district, Jeff has decided to retire four months earlier than he originally planned. He reached the difficult decision that it would be best for students and staff to have consistent leadership as we begin the 2018-2019 school year," Pallin wrote.

Theodoss, Superintendent Brian Levesque and high school Assistant Principal Tatiana Patten have all pleaded not guilty to a charge of failure to report an abusive situation. Those charges are still pending.

The case stems from a now-fired substitute teacher, Ryan A. Fish, who allegedly supervised slapboxing fights between students in a closed classrooom. Authorities say all three were aware of the classroom fights in October - even viewing some of the cell phone videos - but none reported it to police or the Department of Children and Families.

Theodoss told state police that he asked Levesque whether he should report it to police, and the superintendent allegedly told him not to.

Theodoss came to Montville in 2012. He previously worked as the Foxborough High School Principal from 2005 to 2012.

Reporting from Alfred Branch was used in this story.

Image via Connecticut State Police