BETHLEHEM – A former Bethlehem Central High School teacher was arrested on the school’s grounds Friday for allegedly violating a court order that forbids him from entering district property.
Thomas J. Fris, 65, of Selkirk, was charged with obstructing governmental administration, criminal trespass, and criminal contempt, according to a Monday release from the town police department. Police initially responded to a complaint of an “erratic operator” in the school’s parking lot at 4:58 p.m. Friday.
Fris is a former math teacher at Bethlehem Central High School. Online records show he last received a salary from the district in 2019.
Police said Fris approached the officers at the scene. He then “became uncooperative” when officers tried to speak with him further before being detained, according to the release.
The court order prohibiting Fris from entering Bethlehem Central School District property is the result of a past incident “involving multiple harassing phone calls made to district offices,” police said.
A request for comment was left with the district.
Bethlehem Superintendent Judy Monroe informed families of the incident in a message on Friday. She noted that there will be increased police visibility and patrols at district schools in the next few days.
Fris was released from police custody and will appear in court in Bethlehem on Tuesday.
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This article originally published at Ex-Bethlehem teacher accused of trespassing on school grounds.