A teacher at Southington High School was removed from class Thursday morning due to “inappropriate behavior,” the school principal wrote in a letter to parents.
“Today at Southington High School a situation occurred with one of our teachers who behaved in an unprofessional manner during period 1 and 2 classes,” Dr. Martin J. Semmel wrote in the letter. “When it was reported during period 2 to the main office, this individual was removed immediately from the classroom.”
Semmel said administrators are addressing the situation. He declined to identify the teacher or elaborate on the incident, citing “a personnel issue.”
Students, who described the teacher as popular and the behavior as uncharacteristic, said rumors are flying.
“I heard that a teacher, a Spanish teacher, came in drunk to school, and I guess he got in an altercation with a student,” said Southington High School senior Justin Flanagan.
Semmel offered to meet with concerned parents and said resources are available to students who want to talk about what happened.
“You can be assured that we will take all steps to provide a safe and productive learning environment for all students,” Semmel wrote, adding that “a qualified instructor” would begin teaching Friday morning.
