Substitute Teacher Fired After Indecency, Breach of Peace Arrest

HEBRON — Regional School District 8 has fired a substitute teacher following the individual's recent arrest, according to a letter sent out to parents by district officials.

According to the letter, which was sent to Patch this morning from District 8 Acting Superintendent of Schools Scott Leslie, school officials "took immediate action as soon as the district learned of the investigation concerning the substitute's alleged actions and the substitute no longer works for RHAM Public Schools."

RHAM's school district serves Hebron, Andover and Marlborough and oversees both RHAM middle and high schools.

According to Hearst Connecticut Media's CT Insider website this morning, state Police at Troop K in Colchester have identified the individual arrested as being 63-year-old Martin Sommer, who was charged with public indecency and second-degree breach of peace. Sommer is a Mansfield resident, according to Hearst.

Leslie's notice doesn't deal with any specifics of the situation, including the identity of the substitute or the nature of the charges.

"While I cannot comment on the specifics of the case, please know that the safety and well-being of students and staff is and always will be the first priority for RHAM and, at no time, were any of our students or staff members placed in harm's way," Leslie wrote.

"We are committed to ensuring the safety of all students and staff and there are many policies in place to ensure the well-being of all our students and staff members."

According to the Regional School District 8 human resources page on the district website, all that is required to apply to become a substitute teacher is a high school diploma and some experience working with children. The pay for a substitute teacher is $100 per day, according to RHAM.

>>>Read more at Hearst CT.