High School Music Teacher Arrested For Sexually Abusing Student: DA

HASTINGS-ON-HUDSON, NY — A betrayal of trust has stunned families and students in a close-knit Westchester school district.

Westchester County District Attorney Miriam Rocah announced on Wednesday that a former Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District music teacher was arrested over accusations of touching and kissing an underaged student last June at Hastings High School.

"The alleged actions of this defendant, a long-time teacher, exploited the trust placed in him by the school, parents, students and community when he allegedly sexually abused a student," Rocah said. "We commend the brave young victim for coming forward."

According to court documents, on June 10, around 10:15 a.m., Michael Rubino, a music teacher at Hastings schools for over 20 years, took the student to the school auditorium where he pulled the student behind the curtains and hugged and kissed the student without the student's consent.

After allegedly rubbing the student's back and kissing the student’s cheek and neck, Rubino tried to kiss the student on the lips, according to the DA.

The student immediately reported the incident to a teacher who notified the school's administration the same day. The district reported the incident to the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Police Department, which referred the case to the District Attorney’s Office.

The school district placed Rubino on administrative leave pending the DA’s Office criminal investigation. He retired from the district in July.

"I want to assure all families and staff that the District responded to the alleged incident immediately and has been working with the student and family to be of support, " Superintendent of Schools William S. McKersie said in a letter to families. "When the alleged incident was reported, the matter was immediately turned over to the Hastings Police Department and the Westchester County District Attorney's Office. Mr. Rubino was immediately placed on administrative leave pending their investigation. Mr. Rubino’s employment with the District ended on June 30, 2024 based on a previously submitted notice of retirement. I want to repeat that the welfare and safety of our students is our highest priority, and that we acted within minutes of this alleged situation to ensure all students were safe. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement."

The 63-year-old from Hartsdale was arrested by the District Attorney’s Office criminal investigators and arraigned on Wednesday before Judge Peter Kolbert in the Village of Hastings-on-Hudson Justice Court. Rubino was charged with misdemeanor endangering the welfare of a child, misdemeanor third degree sexual abuse, and second degree harassment, a violation.

Bail was set and Rubino is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 18.

The DA asks that anyone who may have been victimized by Rubino or may have information about other possible victims of Rubino contact the DA’s Office Special Prosecutions Division at 914-995- 3000. Language assistance is available.