Substitute Teacher Cited for Cocaine Possession After Student Reports Odd Behavior

A substitute teacher at Barre Town Elementary and Middle School in Vermont was cited Thursday for possession of cocaine and reckless endangerment after a student alerted staff to her unusual behavior.

Student Alert Triggers Investigation

The teacher, 47-year-old Melissa Martin, reportedly admitted to school administrators that she carried cocaine in her jacket pocket, according to a press release from Chief William Dodge.

Emergency Response at School

Shortly after the student’s report on Wednesday morning, school personnel “cleared the halls” to allow emergency responders and town police to enter safely, Superintendent JoAn Canning and Principals Erica Pearson and Shannon Miller said in a message on the district website. No students were harmed, and the incident involved only the teacher.

Barre Town police searched the jacket, which had been left in her classroom, and discovered a white powdery substance. Laboratory screening produced a “presumptive positive” result for cocaine, the release stated. Chief Dodge confirmed that authorities did not administer a drug test to Martin herself.

Melissa Martin was escorted from the building by emergency medical services, though officials said she had not suffered an overdose. Dodge added there was no record of any prior arrests or citations. The school district announced she was “no longer in the building,” without clarifying whether she remains employed.

Authorities Take Over Case

District officials said they are deferring to the Barre Town Police on further matters. According to their statement, “the district leaders cannot speak more to any information regarding this incident as it was handed over to the Barre Town Police.” The Barre Unified Union School District has not responded to requests for further comment.

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