Nashua govschool teacher assaults student?

[Dave Ridley]

http://www.unionleader.com/article.aspx?headline=Teacher+faces+assault+charge&articleId=e1f28b45-1e03-49d8-ba12-86e5318117f7

Teacher faces assault charge

22 hours, 57 minutes ago

A Nashua High School South teacher was charged with simple assault after he allegedly wrapped a metal electrical conduit around a 17-year-old student's neck during shop class.

Michael Michaud, of 41 Fitchs Bridge Road, Groton, Mass., turned himself in to police on a charge that carries up to one year in prison.

Police said they obtained a warrant for Michaud's arrest after learning of an altercation he had with a student Wednesday during the 11:30 a.m. class.

Part of the class involved a demonstration of working with a flexible metal conduit that students were told to bend to a 90 degree angle, said Sgt. Jeff Maher.

But when Michaud and the student got into a dispute, the teacher walked over to the 17-year-old, twisted the conduit around his neck and squeezed, Maher said.

The squeezing caused "discomfort" but did not result in injuries requiring medical attention, Maher said.

Last night, school officials did not immediately return phone calls for comment. Maher referred questions of Michaud's employment status and history to administrators.

The alleged assault was witnessed by students in the class, and police learned of it that afternoon, Maher said.

School resource officer Neal Casale began an investigation, obtaining a warrant for Michaud's arrest on the class-A misdemeanor.

Michaud was scheduled to be released on his own recognizance, pending arraignment in Nashua District Court.