Ex-METCO Director Accused Of Stealing From Marblehead Schools

MARBLEHEAD, MA — The former director of Marblehead's Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity stole about $20,000 from the program's sunshine fund for personal use, according to an indictment handed down by an Essex County Grand Jury. Prosecutors say Francois Fils-Aime, 47, of Randolph, took money from the fund that included dues from METCO parents as well as donations from individuals and organizations.

The Essex County District Attorney's office has not scheduled an arraignment date.

Marblehead Public Schools did not renew Fils-Aime's at the end of the 2016-17 school year. He served as the program's director for eight years. At the time, he said he wanted to stay with the program but was given a letter of non-renewal in April 2017.

After leaving METCO, Fils-Aimes served as principal of the William Monroe Trotter School in Dorchester for two years.

Founded in 1966, METCO is the longest continuously running voluntary school desegregation program in the country. The program gives students in under-performing schools in Boston a chance to attend better-performing schools in suburbs. In recent years, advocates have raised concerns that the program is under-funded.