By Nathan Mayberg
WEST MILFORD — A West Milford High School math teacher has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child for allegedly smoking marijuana with a 17-year-old student.
Michael Fleming, 30, of Hackensack, was arrested on Tuesday after an investigation by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit and the Department of Children and Families Institutional Abuse Investigation Unit.
The incident allegedly occurred in February, according to information provided by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
West Milford School District Interim Superintendent Anthony Riscica said Fleming has been suspended with pay.
The complaint about Fleming was made to an assistant principal which was passed to him.
Riscica said he couldn't discuss the specifics of the case because it is a personnel issue.
Fleming is a full-time math teacher who was in his first year teaching for the district, Riscica said.
Riscica sent out a message to parents after the arrest in an email stating:
"It is important for you to know that when the initial allegations were shared with the administration, it was reported to the WM police immediately. Their quick response led to contacting the prosecutors office, and in depth investigation was implemented at that time," said the district's message. "The teacher was suspended at that time. Please know that student safety is the top priority and that we will not tolerate any inappropriate behavior. Ever."
Fleming was held on $25,000 bail. He was released after posting 10 percent of that on Thursday according to court records.
Fleming is due back in court on May 12.