A 4th grade teacher at Great Salt Bay School in Damariscotta resigned Thursday after he was arrested on charges he touched three female students in an inappropriate manner.
Peter J. Simonds, 44, Nobleboro, was jailed on nine counts of unlawful sexual contact and nine counts of unlawful touching.
The contact charges are Class B felonies while the touching charges are Class D misdemeanors.
If convicted, the Class B felony carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. The Class D misdemeanor carries a maximum penalty of one year in prison and a $2000 fine.
GSB Principal Jeffery Boston said in a letter to parents of Simonds’ students, that the school is taking all necessary steps to address the situation and assured them the school is safe.
“Law enforcement professionals are involved in the situation and are doing a thorough investigation of the allegations. Mr. Simonds is no longer employed by the school and has been told not to enter school property or have any contact with any of our students,” Boston said in the letter.
The principal said any parent with concerns about the situation should contact his office.
Simonds was hired as an Ed Tech in 1995, became a part time teacher in 1998, and was later hired as a full time teacher.
Damariscotta police Chief Steve Drake said the investigation began on Tuesday when parents of one of his students made contact with Lincoln County Sheriff’s Lt. Rand Maker. Maker then called Drake who began an investigation.
“We interviewed the child and her parents. This interview led us to two other girls who made similar allegations,” Drake said.
Simonds was arrested late Thursday afternoon and taken to Two Bridges Jail where he was held overnight on $20,000 bond.
