COURT HOUSE –– A 5th grade teacher at Middle Township Elementary School No. 2 was arrested March 19 and charged with sex crimes.
Cape May County Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor and Chief Joseph Evangelista of Middle Township Police Department announced the arrest of Paul J. Schirmer, of Cape May.
Schirmer, was charged with charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, both crimes of the second degree.
According to a press release from the Prosecutor’s Office, Middle Township Police De-partment patrol and detective divisions along with members of the county Prosecutor’s Of-fice Sex Crimes Unit investigated allegations that Schirmer, on two separate occasions within the past six months, inappropriately touched two students who were under his su-pervision. One of the incidents allegedly occurred in the school.
The incidents are still under investigation.
As a result of the allegations, Schirmer was suspended with pay from his employment with the school district pending the outcome of the investigation.
Police arrested Schirmer without incident.
He was incarcerated in county jail in lieu of $50,000 cash bail set by Superior Court Judge Joseph Visalli.
Persons convicted of a crime of the second degree can be incarcerated for a period be-tween five and ten years in New Jersey State Prison.
Evangelista said he could not comment further on the incident, but confirmed that the in-vestigation is ongoing.
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Mon, 09/07/2009 - 3:08am - Posted by: Kate Henlay
May God help us..
Aameen
Thu, 04/24/2008 - 3:59pm - Posted by: Anonymous
hes ***..but a cool teacher
Fri, 03/28/2008 - 8:27pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I've known Paul for almost twenty years...he's a kind, affectionate person. I agree with the witch-hunt comments -- we are so quick to trust children without question. And rightly so, when it comes to sexual abuse. Still (from my humble experience as a child/adolescent psychotherapist and Sociology professor), children WILL and DO lie/exaggerate/etc. so that they can exercise some sort of control over their lives (don't adults??). And we, without question, light our torches off to kill whatever Frankenstein monster we SUSPECT is guilty. What EXACTLY did Paul allegedly do?? A simple pat on the shoulder can be misunderstood by a child who does not receive any affection at home -- or who craves retribution. Our children experience the adult world of bureacracy, consuming unneeded goods, and protect-thine-own-self earlier with each passing decade. I pray the truth is revealed so that all of those in pain can heal, seek help as needed. And for those of you rushing to judge, perhaps you should learn first hand how pre-judgments can scar a person's life FOR GOOD.
Wed, 03/26/2008 - 7:55am - Posted by: Anonymous
Innocent until proven guilty...thats why he's getting paid!! In today's society...kids as well as teachers need to be evaluated!
Tue, 03/25/2008 - 1:16pm - Posted by: Anonymous
To the last comment I have to disagree.... some of the dirty things my daughter is learning is coming from teahers at middle.... she comes home and asks what certain dirty things mean and tells me her teacher told the class this discusting story. But because he's the "popular" teacher nothing was ever done about it...so no it's not always the case that it starts at home, sometimes it's brought home!!!!!
Mon, 03/24/2008 - 6:09pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Teachers shouldn't have to live in fear about students who are disrespectful or spiteful. Remember, what students really learn begins at home!!
Mon, 03/24/2008 - 2:01pm - Posted by: Anonymous
My daughter had this teacher in fifth grade. He was nothing but repectful to her and everyone aroung her. Don't throw the book at him until he his guilt is proven. However, All the teachers..not just at middle but everywhere need to be re-evaltuated. I have heard soooo many stories of teachers at middle cursing, telling dirty jokes and being down right discusting and you wonder what is happening to our youth?? It's sad!!! I' wish the housing market was up cause I'd be the first to get out of middle and NJ of that matte
Sun, 03/23/2008 - 10:52pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Wow. I think he taught at my sister's high school back in the 1990s. Does anyone know if he worked in Lawrenceville, NJ?
Sat, 03/22/2008 - 7:38am - Posted by: Anonymous
I am a retired teacher. I lived in fear everyday that a student would get angry with me and make up a similar story. Everybody always thinks the worse in these situations. I feel sorry for the teacher and the two accusing families.
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 9:18pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Until all of the facts are out I will assume that this teacher is innocent. I find it quite suspicious that two "alleged" incidents which occured over the last SIX months are both disclosed the same week. It's unfortunate that this teacher's career is tarnished if not over--my child really looked up to him.
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 7:58pm - Posted by: Anonymous
What don't you get he can't be fired because he is innocent until proven guilty!
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 7:48pm - Posted by: Anonymous
I guess he wont be putting out his yearly cape may calender this year?
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 1:05pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Why don't they just fire him????
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 11:26am - Posted by: Anonymous
Wake up people, schools haven't been safe since the columbine years in 1999. No wonder why homeschooling is getting so popular. Teachers are needed to be trusted but some we shouldn't. That is why it is up to the parents to be fully involved wiith thier childs education wether it is in the home or not. You never really know someone and what they are thinking. This is a wake up call to all of us parents that we always need to be aware of what is going on, who our kids our with, and what they are doing with who.
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 11:10am - Posted by: Anonymous
Good point. Don't judge until we hear the facts. Unfortunately, we won't hear any facts until trial is over. Even if charges are dropped, the details will not be forthcoming. We had a father arrested a few months ago for rape of his teenage daughter. There hasn't been anything about that case or even if trial will stand. So meanwhile these men will be judged even if they are found to be innocent.
Fri, 03/21/2008 - 7:03am - Posted by: Anonymous
Everyone needs to remember that these are allegations and are still under investigation. What happened to innocent until proven guilty? Don't just jump on the publicity bandwagon - let's wait to hear the evidence and facts.
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 10:08pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Middle Twp is leading cape may in pedofiles who will we see in the news next??
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 10:08pm - Posted by: Anonymous
What's "TO SAD" is that the education system didnt teach the parents the difference between "TO" and "TOO" sheesh.
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 9:33pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Schools teach the children how to protect themselves from outside invasions. Do we now have to teach our children how to protect themselves from inside invasions as well? This is just TO SAD!!!!
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 9:18pm - Posted by: Anonymous
What is this world coming to. Our children aren't even safe in the schools now?
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 7:34pm - Posted by: Anonymous
First a cop in our township, NOW a teacher? Makes you want to take your kids and put them in a closet until they're bigger.
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 4:08pm - Posted by: Anonymous
That's freaki ridiculous i know this guy and he should be fired not suspended with pay >:{
Thu, 03/20/2008 - 4:04pm - Posted by: Anonymous
Why is he suspended with pay??? He shouldnt have got anything, Come on now, Middle Township is going DOWNHILL.