Two of the three cases of Needham school-related staff who were charged with child pornography in 2025 have been resolved.
Michael Ciccolella, a former social studies teacher at Needham’s High Rock Middle School, was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading guilty in Middlesex Superior Court on March 3 to three counts of distribution of material of nude children and two counts of possession of child pornography. His probation conditions include registering as a sexual offender and having no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18, as well as not working or volunteering with anyone under the age of 18. He also must continue with counseling through NEFA (New England Forensic Associates).
Spencer Parrish, former music teacher and band director at Needham High School, was sentenced to two years of probation after pleading guilty in Middlesex Superior Court on March 25 to one charge of possession of child pornography. He was not required to register as a sexual offender in Massachusetts despite a specific hearing on the matter and strong objections from the prosecution. His probation conditions include having no unsupervised contact with children under the age of 18 as well as continuing with mental health treatment, including sex offender treatment.
A case is still pending against Christopher Carlisle, a former employee of the Needham Extended Day Program, who faces one charge of child pornography and one charge of distribution of obscene material. His arraignment is scheduled for April 30 in Wrentham District Court.Â
Officials have said the three cases are not connected. A review of Needham Public Schools hiring systems found that NPS practices are sound and could not have anticipated or prevented the staff members’ activity.
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