Essex Tech Teacher Accused In Sex Assault Of Student

DANVERS, MA — Massachusetts State Police arrested an Essex North Shore Agricultural & Technical School teacher at his Salisbury home after being accused of pressing his hand against a student's groin on two separate occasions at the school. Robert Vandenbulcke, 62, of Salisbury, was charged with two counts of indecent assault and battery on a person over 14 after a parent reported the Nov. 12 incident. He pleaded not guilty in Salem District Court on Thursday morning.

Vandenbulcke was released on $5,000 bail and ordered to wear a GPS monitoring bracelet. He is not to have contact with the victim or witnesses and will waive rendition from his home in Maine if he violates the terms of his release.

"We were first made aware of a criminal investigation on Wednesday, Nov. 13, at which time the teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave," Superintendent Heidi Riccio said. "The safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities. Essex Tech is cooperating fully with the Danvers Police Department and the school has launched its own investigation into the matter."

Vandenbulcke teaches in the school's culinary arts program. He ran the Mall Restaurant on High Street in the 1990s and has also taught at Greater Lawrence Teach.