Retirement Of Teacher Who Overdosed In Classroom Accepted By Westfield Schools

WESTFIELD, NJ — The Westfield Board of Education(BOE) accepted the retirement of a Roosevelt Intermediate School art teacher, who is facing charges after police say he overdosed in a classroom.

The BOE unanimously approved the retirements of five staff members including Frank Thompson at the Tuesday night meeting. Thompson's retirement is effective as of July 1.

Prior to the vote, Superintendent Raymond González thanked the other four staff members for their service to Westfield students.

"We wish these staff members happy and healthy retirements," said Gonzalez.

However, Gonzalez did not name or mention Thompson in his announcement.

A request for further comment on Thompson's retirement from Gonzalez was not immediately returned to Patch.

Overdose Incident

Roosevelt School's Resource Officer, Fortunato Riga, informed Westfield Police on Nov. 29 that a teacher was unconscious in a second-floor classroom. When Riga arrived, Thompson was unconscious and unresponsive on the classroom floor due to an apparent drug overdose, according to Battiloro. Read More: Westfield Art Teacher Faces Charges After Drug Overdose In Classroom

Thompson was first discovered and observed in distress by students and was actively being treated by a school nurse when police arrived.

After Riga observed signs indicative of a drug overdose, he administered Naloxone Hydrochloride, or "Narcan," which resulted in Thompson showing marked signs of improvement, Battiloro said.

Following an investigation of this incident, police discovered a quantity of a suspected controlled dangerous substance and various items of drug paraphernalia inside a closet in the classroom, according to Battiloro.

• Related: Teacher Drug Overdose Incident Addressed By Westfield Superintendent

Thompson was charged on Jan. 5 with the following, according to police:

• Possession of a controlled dangerous substance (fentanyl), a crime of the third degree;
• Possession of drug paraphernalia, a disorderly person offense;
• Endangering welfare of children, crime of the third degree.

A pre-disposition conference before Judge Joseph P. Donohue is scheduled for Thompson in Superior Court in Elizabeth on April 13, according to Tapinto.net.

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