Lynn teacher accused of giving student marijuana

LYNN, Mass. (WHDH) -- A high school English teacher in Lynn pleaded not guilty after being arrested for allegedly giving marijuana to a 17-year-old student.

Charles Saltzman, 50, of Swampscott is a teacher at Lynn English High School. He was arrested Tuesday after a student said Saltzman gave her marijuana twice in two weeks.

“At school I’m hearing he’s giving drugs to kids and I’m like, he never tried anything like that with us. So I was like, I can’t believe it,” said Sholonda Ross, an upset student.

A police report says Saltzman deliberately gave the student pot in a hallway out of surveillance camera range.

According to the teen, it wasn’t the first time he’s given her pot. Her mother told 7News, “I’m mad. I’m mad as hell. I can’t believe something like this is happening. It’s a shocker.” She went on to say, “I felt like my daughter was violated. I’m concerned for my daughter’s safety and for the safety of other children at the HS.”

Parents are furious, but many students don’t believe the allegations. They claim Saltzman is a good teacher and a quiet man who didn’t get too involved with anyone.

“It’s ridiculous. It’s absolutely ridiculous to give kids weed -- that’s crazy. That goes against everything I believe in. He needs to be fired…He needs to be prosecuted,” said Doreen Rushins, an upset parent.

Saltzman has been a teacher for 15 years -- his father was a teacher too. Saltzman, in court, told 7News he was nervous.

Students say the teacher’s arrest is upsetting.

“I don’t really like our school being portrayed like this ‘cause we have, like, a good principal, we got a lot of good students...people make mistakes and that’s what happens,” said Joel Pimentel, a student.

Saltzman refused to speak to reporters after his court appearance. The school’s superintendent, Catherine Latham, said Saltzman was placed on paid administrative leave pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.

Saltzman appeared in court without a lawyer on Wednesday and was released on the condition that he not get into any further legal trouble. He will return to court, with a lawyer, on Dec. 12.