Fall River Teacher Charged With Inappropriately Touching Student

FALL RIVER — A teacher at Durfee High School in Fall River who is alleged to have inappropriately touched a student on multiple occasions was arraigned today and has been placed on administrative leave.

According to media reports, Paul Coury, 60, was arraigned this morning on one charge of indecent assault and battery of a person over 14. He pleaded not guilty.

Coury is a culinary arts teacher at Durfee and oversees the Granite Grille, the school’s restaurant.

Get our free mobile app

WPRI obtained a police report and reported that the investigation began in January, after a female student “told a counselor that Coury had inappropriately touched her four or five times while she was working the cash register,” and that he gave the girl “creepy vibes.”

WPRI also reported the girl claimed she wasn’t the only female student Coury had touched.

Coury was released pending his next court date and ordered to have no contact with the victim.

Fall River Schools Superintendent Maria Pontes issued a statement Wednesday afternoon acknowledging the “personnel issue,” which she said is “an active investigation,” although she did not mention Coury by name.

“When Durfee staff learned of the allegation, the staff member was placed on administrative leave and has remained on administrative leave since,” Pontes said. “The District also notified the Fall River Police Department as well as the Department of Children and Families. An investigation was also immediately launched.”

“The safety of our students continues to be our highest priority and we will continue to promptly and proactively address any allegation that may compromise that safety,” Pontes said.