BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

MASSENA -- Massena Central School District’s Director of Special Education Amy Wells will retire Nov. 30 just months after being charged with illegally possessing a handgun.

Superintendent Ron Burke confirmed the news and said Wells submitted a letter of resignation for retirement on Oct. 13, the same day the board held a scheduled meeting. 

He said "given the late nature of receiving the letter, this was not on the agenda." 

"However, in receipt of the letter, the Board moved to accept this notice and voted to accept," Burke told North Country This Week. 

He said the district is now actively recruiting to fill the role. 

Wells was charged in April for possession of an illegal handgun following the surrender of two handguns that were not registered to her.

It happened as part of an investigation stemming from abuse allegations involving a teacher’s aide named Darlene Bourdeau, who shares a home with Wells.

According to the parents of a special needs child, as well as a former teachers aide within the district, teachers aide Bourdeau allegedly grabbed a six-year old special needs child by the wrist on Feb. 3, squeezing with enough force to cause the child to scream and cry.

State Police said a staff member reported the incident to a school administrator, but police were not notified until March 6. On March 27, troopers charged Bourdeau with second-degree assault and first-degree endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.

Bourdeau was subsequently ordered by the court to surrender all firearms. Police determined she did not own or have permission to possess a loaded handgun surrendered to State Police, and she was later charged with second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.

On April 15, Wells was charged with criminal possession of a firearm after claiming ownership of the High Standard pistol. Police said an investigation showed she did not own or have permission to possess the handgun.

Massena Town Court officials confirmed Wells has received an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal until March 21. 

In New York, an ACD is a legal disposition to pause a criminal case for a set period of time to ultimately lead to the dismissal and sealing of charges. 

If Wells does not reoffend in the given timeframe the charges will be dismissed. 

An ACD typically includes conditions from the court depending on the type of charge, including community service, anger manager, alcohol or substance abuse counseling or a temporary order of protection. 

Court officials did not provide specific conditions for the potential dismissal. 

Bourdeau is slated to appear in Massena Town Court again November 25 in her case. 

Both are represented by attorney Ed Narrow. 

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