A 58-year-old elementary school teacher in Wisconsin has been arrested after police allege she used cocaine on school premises. Laurie Laubenstein, a teacher at Lincoln Elementary School in New London, faces charges of possession of cocaine with a modifier for possession of a controlled substance in or near certain places.
According to a criminal complaint, an anonymous tipster raised concerns with the school principal about Laubenstein's behaviour, claiming they noticed changes in her conduct, saw her frequently entering the bathroom with her purse, and found bloody tissues and white powder in the bathroom. The tipster alleged their concerns were not taken seriously.
A school resource officer later discovered a small amount of white powder on a bathroom counter in Laubenstein's classroom, which tested positive for cocaine. On 12 February, the officer returned with a police dog and searched Laubenstein, finding cocaine in her purse and coat pocket.
During an interview, Laubenstein admitted to using cocaine since August, including on the day of the arrest before and after school, in both her classroom and the teacher's lounge bathrooms. She told police she always cleaned up after herself and would never endanger students.
The school district informed parents that students and staff were never in danger. The investigation is ongoing, and Laubenstein is due to appear in court on 17 March.
