Woburn Reacts To Teacher Accused Of Drug Possession

WOBURN, MA — Friday's news that a Woburn Memorial High School teacher had been placed on paid leave after she was accused of possessing drugs on school property brought a wide range of reactions on social media Saturday. School officials began investigating English teacher Sarah Hanson, 37, earlier this month after students shared pictures of her sleeping in class on Snapchat. But administrators waited until Friday to publicly acknowledge the alleged drug incident, nine days after students watched her be led from the building by Woburn police officer.

"This is NOT a slam against educators. Only ONE person screwed up. But now it's 'everywhere,' and I take great offense at the principal's letter that no kids were [affected]," Laurel Collins, whose daughter is a senior at the school, wrote on Facebook. "Of course, they have been, especially maybe those who saw her being led out by police (they did not know why at the time) and maybe kids who were in her classes."

Woburn police and schools Superintendent Matthew Crowley issued a press release Friday, but did not identify the teacher or the school she worked at. Patch was the first to report on the identity of Hanson after speaking with parents and students at the school. Hanson, who was not criminally charged, has not responded to requests for comment.

"Sad for her fellow teachers, kids, and our community. I hope she gets help- and the students have the support they may need," Collins wrote. "Some saw her led out by the police from the high school. Those kids might need support as teachers are role models and this was probably confusing."

In his press release, Crowley said he would be unable to discuss specific details of the incident because it is a personnel issue. According to the school's handbook, students found in possession of drugs on school property can be permanently expelled and charged or adjudicated delinquent of a felony offense.

"We are normalizing drug use to the point that half this city thinks it’s okay to go to rehab 42 times and brag about it while other people are picking up the pieces at their jobs, in their families and throughout other responsibilities," Woburn resident Lindsey Keane wrote in response to the post by Collins. "Normalizing drug use to the point where the lines of right and wrong are blurred isn’t helping anything other than helping more of your friends and family die. Half my town is normalizing a 37-year-old female teacher [possessing drugs on school property] because 'maybe her life was so bad'."

Officials did not specify what kind of drugs or the quantity of drugs found on Hanson. Students said they saw police search Hanson's car on the day she was removed from school.

"It's sad and yes it was wrong for what she did. But she is a person and obviously needs help," Melissa Bourassa posted on the Woburn Patch Facebook page. "In this day and age give someone support, lend an ear. Addiction is not a life to people want...So maybe say a pray or reach out to the person."

Dave Copeland can be reached at dave.copeland@patch.com or by calling 617-433-7851. Follow him on Twitter (@CopeWrites) and Facebook (/copewrites).