Third Needham Schools Employee Charged with Child Pornography
June 17, 2025
• Superintendent Dan Gutekanst said the employee has been placed on administrative leave following the charges.
Eliot Elementary School employee Christopher Carlisle was charged with the possession of child pornography and distribution of obscene material, according to a statement from Gutekanst.
Carlisle works in the Needham Extended Day Program, a before and after-school program that serves students in kindergarten through fifth grade. He also has been charged with possession of more than 10 oz. of Class D substances. Class D substances include marijuana and barbiturates.
Carlisle is the third Needham Public Schools employee to be arrested for child pornography this school year. Needham High School Band Director Spencer Parrish and High Rock teacher Michael Ciccolella had also been arrested and charged with similar crimes and were both placed on administrative leave.
Gutekanst’s statement to the community on Tuesday echoed his two previous ones, identifying students’ safety and well-being as “the district’s top priority.”
“This news is shocking to our community, especially coming after the arrests in the spring of two Needham teachers who were arrested on similar charges and have since been dismissed,” Gutekanst wrote. “It will be necessary for the district to reflect on and consider how these events have unfolded to ensure that we are doing everything possible for the safety of our students; this includes the recruitment, hiring, and supervision of all staff and contracted employees.”
Law enforcement have not informed the district of any students being involved, Gutekanst wrote. He linked to additional resources for families.
It’s unclear how long Carlisle had worked within the district. NEDP site coordinators and site-specific educators lead the individual programs at each of Needham’s five elementary schools.
Students who attend the day program work on homework, exercise and engage in other learning opportunities, according to a family handbook linked to its website. NEDP is operated as a private non-profit.
The district will hold counseling for students Tuesday, June 17 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, June 18 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Eliot.
“We are committed to being transparent with families and staff, regardless of the circumstances,” Gutekanst wrote, “and we will offer an opportunity for a virtual family meeting to learn how the district is managing this situation and supporting students.” That link will be available to district families soon, he added.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
