Editor's note: This story was updated with new detail about Andre's employment and reaction from the Homer Central School District.
A former Homer High School art teacher from Solon has been charged with four counts of rape stemming from incidents more than 15 years ago, Cortland County sheriff’s officers announced Tuesday.
Paul P. Andre, 56, of Route 41, was charged following an investigation that began in September, Lt. Kimberly Natoli said in a news release. The investigation, in conjunction with Homer police, showed Andre had subjected one person to inappropriate sexual contact between September 2006 and June 2008 at locations in Homer and Solon.
The victim knew Andre.
Warrants were issued by both Homer and Solon town court and Andre turned himself in Tuesday.
He was charged with:
• One count of first-degree rape and one count of first-degree criminal sexual act, felonies, in Solon.
• Three counts of first-degree rape and three counts of first-degree criminal sexual act in Homer.
First-degree rape has several possible causes. It’s when the subject engages in sexual contact with the victim using force, or when the victim is physically helpless, under 11 or under 13 when the subject is over 18.
First-degree criminal sexual act is similar — the law stipulates “conduct” instead of “contact,” but the definitions of force, helplessness or age difference are the same. Andre was awaiting arraignment Tuesday afternoon via Cortland County’s central arraignment process.
Andre was employed by the Homer Central School District from 1993 until last month, when he retired, Homer Superintendent Thomas Turck said in a release.
“As a school district that prioritizes the safety of our students, staff and community, we immediately placed the individual on leave and fully cooperated with law enforcement during their investigation,” Turck said in an email to the district following the investigation and arrest. “We also reported the information to the New York State Education Department. As of the Sept. 24, 2024, board of education meeting, Mr. Andre` is no longer employed by the district."
Turck declined to provide other details about the ongoing investigation.
“We are grateful for the joint response of the Homer Police Department and the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office,” he wrote. “We do not have any information indicating inappropriate conduct towards any other student by this individual. However, if your child expresses that something inappropriate has happened, please contact the Cortland County Sheriff’s Office at 607-753-3311.”
Counselors will be available to meet with children, Turck said. “We know that it can be quite disturbing to learn that one of our teachers was charged with a crime such as this. ... Our primary focus remains on ensuring the safety and well-being of our students.”
