Patch Update: Arrested Concord Teacher on Administrative Leave

A Concord High School teacher arrested earlier this year for assault is on administrative leave, according to school officials, but they aren’t saying much more about his status.

Robert McHugh, a social studies teacher, was arrested in February on two simple assault charges, according to the Concord Police, reportedly against a woman. Patch has been contacting school administration officials about his teaching status for a number of months and the district has consistently refused to comment on his employment status.

However, Larry Prince, the director of human resources for the district, confirmed on Sept. 30, that McHugh was on leave but didn’t offer any comment about the case, due to it being a personnel matter.

During the past month, the Concord School Board has met privately three times, on Sept. 29, Oct. 6, and Oct. 20, relating to a personnel matter.

It is unknown if these meetings involve McHugh. Prince did not offer follow-up comment on Oct. 21.

The Concord City Prosecutor’s Office also wouldn’t comment on the McHugh case but court documents in both criminal and family court reveal a number of things that the district might be looking at when it comes to McHugh’s teaching status.

On March 10, an agreement was reached between the prosecutor’s office, a judge, and McHugh, with the assault charges being placed “on file without a finding” for six months on the condition that McHugh remained in good behavior and underwent a domestic violence evaluation within 90 days. After providing proof of the evaluation, the charges would be dropped after six months.

Sometime in late May or early June, McHugh was suspended from his teaching job, according to a family division court filing, reportedly due to “alcohol related issues.” He was reportedly recommended for permanent dismissal at that time. 

It was also alleged that in March 2014, McHugh bruised a child’s face “in anger” and in April 2014 was “temporarily suspended from his employment as a teacher at Concord High School for smelling of alcohol at school” and while also reportedly driving his children to school.

A criminal court review hearing was booked and later cancelled on July 29, but another one was held on Aug. 28. At that time, an agreement was reached for McHugh to undergo a 36-week program with the Granite State DV Batterers Class, with 27 weeks remaining. According to the case summary, a follow-up hearing is scheduled for April 14, 2015, meaning that the charges stand at least until the middle of next year.

McHugh, as well, was previously arrested on Jan. 31, 2011, on a simple assault charge, according to the Concord Police.

Concord NH Patch will follow-up this story when more information becomes available.