By Matt Price and Danae Holmes
Published: Jan. 6, 2026 at 4:41 PM EST
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WGGB/WSHM) — Springfield will pay nearly 15 million dollars to victims of alleged sexual abuse at a middle school. This will be the largest of such settlements in Massachusetts history.
A story we’ve been covering for almost three years now, following graphic allegations against a former teacher within Springfield Public Schools.
It all stems back to March 2023, when now former Springfield STEM Middle Academy history teacher and athletic coach Robert Gayle allegedly groomed, abused and sexually harassed middle school students on his watch.
Gayle was then arrested during the summer of that year, with attorneys saying multiple victims were involved in these allegations.
Staff Contributor
January 8, 2026 
