LONGMEADOW — Another children’s school worker is behind bars in Massachusetts after federal agents say a middle school librarian was caught distributing child sexual abuse material in an online group called “Little boyz only.” According to his LinkedIn profile, he had been in the role for 16 years.

Scott McGinley, 55, of Holyoke, allegedly bragged to undercover agents about his sexual preference for “boys age 2-12” — “especially 4-7” — while admitting he seats students so he can “see under their desks.” Investigators say McGinley, who worked in the Williams and Glenbrook Middle Schools, even described having 11-to-14-year-old students in his care but claimed he “ha[d]n’t touched them sexually.”

A search of McGinley’s home on August 8 allegedly turned up a locked Pelican case in the basement filled with items for children — a Santa costume, boys’ underwear, bedding, diapers, diaper cream, and applesauce pouches. Agents say a toolbox inside the case contained more children’s clothing. His electronic devices allegedly contained over 100 child sexual abuse files, with forensic review still ongoing.

McGinley was arrested and charged with one count of distribution of child pornography, a federal offense carrying a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison and up to 20 years if convicted. He is set to appear in federal court in Springfield before U.S. Magistrate Judge Katherine A. Robertson.

A school system in collapse under Healey’s watch

The arrest is yet another stain on a public education system already drowning in failure under Governor Maura Healey. Instead of focusing on vetting who is around children or addressing collapsing academic performance, Healey has tapped Pedro Martinez — no, not the Red Sox Hall of Famer, but the recently ousted head of Chicago Public Schools — to run the state’s education department.

Martinez was fired by Chicago’s mayor after years of budget fights and flat reading scores — in a city where nearly one in five students can’t read at grade level. Now, he’s Massachusetts’ top schools boss. If Healey’s hiring strategy is to find failing districts and copy them, she’s right on track.

The bigger picture

This case is being prosecuted under Project Safe Childhood, the Department of Justice’s initiative to combat child exploitation. For Massachusetts parents, it’s more than just another headline — it’s proof that the crisis in public education isn’t just in the test scores. It’s in the leadership, the culture, and in some cases, the very people hired to be around children.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office Victim Assistance line at 617-748-3274 or email USAMA.VictimAssistance@usdoj.gov.