Charles Cahn III, the headmaster of the prestigious Suffield Academy in Connecticut, has been placed on leave as the school investigates allegations of tax fraud. The school's board of trustees learned of an Internal Revenue Service investigation into Cahn's personal finances, prompting the immediate leave.
In an email to the school community, Board President Frederic Powers stated that the school's finances are not under scrutiny and that the institution is cooperating fully with the investigation. The specific reasons for the IRS probe have not been disclosed, leaving parents and alumni with unanswered questions.
Cahn, who has led Suffield Academy for 23 years and was reportedly one of the highest-paid boarding school leaders, was scheduled to retire next summer. His successor, Casey Bobo, has already assumed Cahn's duties. Cahn's compensation for the 2024-25 fiscal year was reported to be over $1 million.
Cahn joined Suffield Academy as an English teacher and lacrosse coach. He rose through the ranks, holding positions in admissions and as dean of faculty before being appointed head of school in 2004 at the age of 34. He is credited with transforming the nearly two-century-old academy's 350-acre campus, overseeing the development of new athletic facilities, a dining hall, and academic buildings. His fundraising efforts were noted as a key factor in his high salary.
The school, which serves approximately 420 students with an annual tuition of $79,400, has hired a crisis public relations agency to manage the situation. A parent of recent graduates, who wished to remain anonymous, described Cahn as a well-liked figure within the school community.