By Nicholas Brown
Staff Writer

The removal of a longtime Candia Moore School teacher after publicly undisclosed allegations has drawn criticism from some parents who feel the teacher was treated unfairly by school administrators.

Richard Andersen, who teaches seventh- and eighth-grade science, was removed from the classroom earlier this month, and school administrators sent a short note home to parents announcing the situation.

Candia Police Chief Michael McGillen said allegations are being investigated jointly by Candia police, state police and the Rockingham County Attorney Office, though no charges have been filed in the case.

The investigation began April 5, said McGillen.

“We did a lot of interviews last week, and we’ve got some more coming this week,” McGillen said, on Monday, April 24. “That’s about all I can say.”

A Rockingham County Attorney’s Office receptionist said the office was offering no comment on the subject, and declined even to disclose if there was an ongoing investigation.

Parents of current and former students of the teachers have spoken out publicly against the way the removal was handled by administration.

“It’s guilty until proven innocent,” said Brian Reinhold, who has a daughter in Anderson’s class. Reinhold, who didn’t identify the teacher by name, said, “This guy’s career is ruined.”

Reinhold said the teacher in question is known by people in the community as an outgoing teacher, and one who’s a favorite of the students.

Reinhold also said he wrote a letter to Moore School Principal Robert St. Cyr, asking for more information on the circumstances of the removal, but has not gotten a reply.

St. Cyr, nor SAU 15 Superintendent Armand LaSelva, could be reached by press time.

Moore School is out of session for the week of Monday, April 24, through Friday, April 28, and LaSelva was away for the week at a conference.

Candia resident Viktor Nafranowicz, who also didn’t identify the teacher by name, also was critical of administrators.

“They place blame on nobody,” he said, “and I place blame on the principal.”

A woman who said she’s the mother of one of the students making allegations, however, sent a letter to The Hooksett Banner defending the actions of the school and district administration.

“The handling of this incident is actually being handled rather well and by the book,” the letter reads.

The letter also questions Reinhold’s knowledge of the situation, and defends students who may have come forward with allegations.

“I am very proud of my daughter right now,” the letter reads. “It took a lot of guts to do what she has done, and this is just the beginning. From what I hear from my other two daughters that are now in high school, this should have happened a long time ago.”