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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Fris is a former math teacher<\/a> at Bethlehem Central High School. Online records show<\/a> he last received a salary from the district in 2019.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n A request for comment was left with the district.<\/p>\n Bethlehem Superintendent Judy Monroe informed families of the incident in a message<\/a> on Friday. She noted that there will be increased police visibility and patrols at district schools in the next few days.<\/p>\n Fris was released from police custody and will appear in court in Bethlehem on Tuesday.<\/p>\n Subscribe<\/p>\n There’s more to Albany with the Times Union. Subscribe today for just 25\u00a2.<\/a><\/p>\n