Teacher Admitted Cocaine Possession; Other Arrests

A 47-year-old permanent substitute, Melissa Martin, at Barre Town Middle & Elementary School in Barre, Vt., was cited for possession of cocaine and reckless endangerment after students reported she was acting erratically; police say she admitted to having cocaine in her jacket, a K9 alerted to narcotics in her jacket and backpack, and a presumptive field test was positive. The incident was reported mid-morning, Martin was removed from the building and officials say no students were harmed. In Waltham, Massachusetts, a gym teacher was arrested after state police executing a search warrant say they found child sexual abuse material; he was arraigned in Waltham District Court. In Australia, 24-year-old drama teacher Ella Clements was charged with having sexual relations with an underage student and with sexually touching a child, was dismissed by the school, and released on strict bail conditions. The incidents underscore ongoing concerns about staff misconduct and the need for prompt school and law-enforcement responses to protect students.