By Victor Skinner
EAGnews.org

NEW YORK – A high school teacher was banished to one of New York City’s infamous “rubber rooms” after he was busted with baggies of heroin in court while serving as a juror in a murder trial.

Teacher Damian Esteban, 33, was hauled to the Metropolitan Correctional Center this week after foil in his pack of Parliament cigarettes set off the metal detector when he returned from a lunch break, and court security discovered 20 baggies of heroin inside, the New York Daily News reports.

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Esteban taught social studies at Williamsburg High School for Architecture and Design. His salary is $63,602.

Esteban was charged with misdemeanor drug possession, but the judge said if he stays out of trouble for six months, and completes a one-day drug program, the court will dismiss and seal the case, the newspaper reports.

School officials suspended Esteban from teaching and assigned him to a “rubber room,” the same place they send all of the dangerous and sexually abusive teachers they can’t fire because of union rules.

He won’t have contact with students, but taxpayers will continue to pay his salary.

That’s how ridiculous things in New York City’s education system have gotten. A convicted drug user, and possibly a heroin dealer considering the individual baggies, will continue to draw a salary from the public because the teachers union’s contract makes it extremely difficult and expensive to fire him.

If his case is sealed, it seems quite possible that the city could be forced to reinstate him to the classroom, if there is no evidence available to support their decision to keep him in exile. We would hope city officials would do everything possible to keep that from happening.

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Department of Education spokeswoman Connie Pankratz said only that the district is “reviewing the facts and will take appropriate disciplinary action.”

Esteban’s students seemed surprised their teacher was busted, and several told the Daily News he is well liked.

“Mr. Esteban was my favorite teacher,” a high school junior told the newspaper.  “Heroin? That doesn’t make sense. This is awful. Does this mean he isn’t coming back?”

We certainly hope so.