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Vermont Substitute Teacher Cited After Cocaine Found at School

District has barred her from campus pending personnel action.

Overview

  • Police identified the woman as Melissa Martin, 47, a permanent substitute with the Barre Unified Union School District.
  • The incident was reported around 10:49 a.m. on Oct. 1 after a student noted unusual behavior, and staff had already removed her from the classroom.
  • Martin told administrators she had cocaine in a jacket in the room; K9 Lakota alerted to her jacket and backpack, and a white substance tested presumptively positive for cocaine.
  • She received citations for cocaine possession and reckless endangerment, and authorities have not announced a court date.
  • Superintendent JoAn Canning said Martin has no access to the school as personnel steps proceed, while some parents voiced safety concerns following the episode.