A former Hastings-on-Hudson Union Free School District music teacher has been charged with sexual abuse of a student at the high school.
Michael Rubino, of Hartsdale, was arrested for alleged unwanted touching and kissing of an underaged student.
The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office said this happened in June and the 63-year-old was arraigned today.
The District Attorney’s Office said Rubino was a former music teacher at the school district for more than 20 years.
According to the criminal complaint, at approximately 10:15 a.m. on June 10, Rubino allegedly took the student to the school auditorium where he pulled the student behind the curtains and hugged and kissing the student without their consent. The DA’s office said Rubino allegedly tried to kiss the student on the lips.
The student immediately reported the incident to a teacher, according to the DA’s office.
Hastings-on-Hudson Public Schools Superintendent William S. McKersie sent out the following statement to families on Wednesday:
“I want to repeat that the welfare and safety of our students is our highest priority, and that we acted within minutes of this alleged situation to ensure all students were safe. We are fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
News 12 talked to multiple students who described the shock after reading the email from the school district.
“I thought he was a pretty good teacher, obviously no signs of anything like that. I mean, everything was fine,” Andrew Dileo, a student, said. “I had Mr. Rubino in fifth and sixth grade and obviously I had no idea so that was a shock to me.”
The school district said Rubino was placed on administrative leave pending the investigation. His employment ended on June 30, based on a previously submitted notice of retirement.
“Why would he just before he retires just choose to do something like that and destroy his reputation. It doesn’t make sense,” Michael Ganjehlou, a Hastings resident, said.
News 12 reached out to Rubino’s attorney, Michael Litman. He told us he has no comment on the case.
