Veteran Baltimore educator found dead at school

Police say no signs of trauma or foul play, await autopsy results

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 death of a longtime and beloved educator within a school building has raised concerns in the community about safety and security protocols, as well as the overall well-being of school staff.

The details

The deceased employee was identified as Deborah Tolson, who served as a math interventionist at Arundel Elementary School for the past seven years. Baltimore police and City Schools police are currently investigating the incident, though they have not found any evidence of a crime.

  • 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 the past seven years.

Kerry-Ann Malcolm

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

Baltimore City Public Schools

The school district that employed Tolson and is working to support the school community in the wake of her death.

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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 Tolson's death, and the school district's crisis team is working to support the Arundel Elementary School community.

The takeaway

The tragic death of a beloved and long-serving educator within a school building has raised important questions about staff safety and well-being, as well as the need for robust crisis response protocols in school districts to support communities during difficult times.