A former New London kindergarten teacher pleaded no contest April 24 to possessing cocaine on school grounds, but the charge could be cleared from her record.
Laurie Laubenstein, 58, of Appleton was charged in Waupaca County Feb. 19 with possession of cocaine on or near a school. According to a criminal complaint, Laubenstein admitted to using cocaine in the bathroom of her classroom and the bathroom of the teachers lounge at Lincoln Elementary School.
Laubenstein pleaded no contest to the charge April 24, but Waupaca County Circuit Court Judge Diane Meulemans has not yet found her guilty of the crime.
Laubenstein and the prosecution entered a deferred prosecution agreement, which means Laubenstein won’t be officially found guilty or have the crime on record if she successfully follows rules set by the prosecution for one year.
Those rules include committing no crimes and receiving drug and mental health treatment, according to the agreement. If Laubenstein successfully completes the one year period, the prosecution will move to dismiss the charge she pleaded to, the agreement states.
New London School District Administrator Scott Bleck said Laubenstein resigned from the school district.
Vivian Barrett is the public safety reporter for the Green Bay Press-Gazette. You can reach her at vmbarrett@usatodayco.com or (920) 431-8314.
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Former New London kindergarten teacher pleads to using cocaine in school
Reporting by Vivian Barrett, Green Bay Press-Gazette / Appleton Post-Crescent
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