Veteran Baltimore Educator Found Dead at Elementary School

No signs of trauma or foul play, police investigating cause of death.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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A 75-year-old veteran Baltimore City Public Schools employee of 23 years was found dead on Monday at Arundel Elementary School. Police said they found no signs of trauma or foul play, and are awaiting autopsy results to determine the cause of death.

Why it matters

The unexpected death of a beloved and long-serving educator has shaken the Arundel Elementary School community, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the incident and the impact on students and staff.

The details

Deborah Tolson, who served as a math interventionist at the school for seven years, was found deceased on the school premises. Baltimore police and City Schools police are investigating the incident, though they have not found any evidence of trauma or foul play.

  • Tolson was found dead on Monday, March 9, 2026.
  • The school released students at 10:15 a.m. on the same day.

The players

Deborah Tolson

A 75-year-old veteran Baltimore City Public Schools employee of 23 years, who served as a math interventionist at Arundel Elementary School for seven years.

Kerry-Ann Malcolm

The principal of Arundel Elementary School, who sent a letter to the school community regarding Tolson's passing.

Baltimore City Public Schools

The school district that employed Tolson and is providing support to the Arundel Elementary School community.

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What they’re saying

“Our hearts and thoughts remain with Ms. Tolson's family and friends, as well as our entire school community, in this difficult time. Ms. Tolson was a very beloved member of our school community for seven years. A pillar of the school community, she was beloved by both students and staff.”

— Kerry-Ann Malcolm, Principal, Arundel Elementary School (wbal.com)

What’s next

Baltimore police and City Schools police are continuing their investigation into the cause of Tolson's death, and the district's crisis team is working to support the school community.

The takeaway

The unexpected passing of a long-serving and beloved educator has left the Arundel Elementary School community in mourning, highlighting the importance of supporting school staff and addressing the emotional needs of students during difficult times.