A Seymour High School assistant principal remains on paid administrative leave after being charged with driving under the influence last month.
Paul Lucke, 43, was arrested Dec. 1 after being stopped by Naugatuck police at 12:43 a.m. on Bridge Street, according to a police arrest log. He was also cited for several motor vehicle violations.
The court file describing the incident is sealed — meaning no additional information is available from police or the courts.
The Republican-American reported Jan. 18 that Lucke was accepted into a court diversionary program that will see his record wiped clean if he stays out of trouble and completes alcohol-education courses.
He’s due back in court Jan. 17, 2020, at which time his criminal case will be formally ended, assuming Lucke complies with all court orders and programs.
On Jan. 22, the district, responding to a Freedom of Information request, released a letter from Seymour Public Schools Michael Wilson to Lucke informing the assistant principal that he was not to report to school pending an “appropriate investigation.”
“Based upon the evidence received for this violation, this infraction can warrant further disciplinary action up to and including termination,” Wilson said in the letter.
Lucke’s status had not changed as of Jan. 22, according to an email to The Valley Indy from Wilson.
The school district had not previously publicly acknowledged the incident.
The superintendent’s letter, a copy of which was sent to Lucke’s union representative, was written at some point in December. A specific date is not indicated.
The Valley Indy published a previous story on Lucke’s court case on Jan. 18. That story was shared on the Valley Indy Facebook page, where it generated 22 comments, 13 of which were posts supporting Lucke.
Several readers said people make mistakes and deserve to be given second chances. Others noted no one would know about his arrest if it was not for the fact he’s a public employee who works with children.
“Paul Lucke is very good friend of mine I have known him for years he’s a great man and would do anything to help anyone in need. He made a stupid decision we all do it’s life we are all human,” said Jason St. Jacques of Ansonia.
