Headmaster leaving after prep school sex abuse investigation

The headmaster of a prestigious boarding school has announced his departure days after state police concluded an investigation into dozens of sexual abuse allegations there with no criminal charges.

The St George's School Board of Trustees announced on Tuesday that headmaster Eric Peterson won't seek to extend his contract, which ends June 30, 2017. Peterson has been headmaster of the Episcopal school in Middletown, near Newport, since 2004.

In an email to the school community, board chairperson Leslie Heaney expressed profound gratitude for Peterson's leadership and briefly addressed the abuse scandal.

Police investigated dozens of former students' allegations of abuse by employees and classmates but announced on Thursday they couldn't proceed with criminal charges. Among the reasons they cited were the statute of limitations and different laws when the abuse occurred.