Laurie Laubenstein (Waupaca Co. Jail)
NEW LONDON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A misdemeanor count against former New London kindergarten teacher Laurie Laubenstein, who admitted to snorting cocaine in a school bathroom, will be dropped from her record if she doesn’t commit any crimes for one year.
Laubenstein, 58, pleaded no contest Friday to a misdemeanor count of cocaine possession. However, as part of the deferred prosecution agreement, the conviction decree was withheld for a year. If she complies with all of the terms — including continuing to receive drug counseling — the count will then be dismissed.
Laubenstein did not address the court about the circumstances of the case. A review date was set for April 27, 2027.
According to the complaint, police were notified of suspicious behavior by Laubenstein, who worked at New London’s Lincoln Elementary School. She told investigators she was using the drug to cope with a family issue.
“Laubenstein admitted she uses a straw to snort the cocaine in the bathroom and admitted to using the bathroom in her kindergarten classroom as well as the bathroom that is in the teachers’ lounge. Laubenstein admitted that she snorted the cocaine in the corner of the classroom bathroom on the counter where she stated “they used to change kids”. Laubenstein stated she never snorted cocaine at her desk,” the complaint states.
“Laubenstein admitted earlier in the interview she has never left cocaine in the bathroom and always cleans up after herself as she would never put her students in danger.
Powder collected on a changing table in the bathroom tested positive for cocaine, according to the complaint.
In February, the school district said Laubenstein had been placed on leave pending termination.
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