The Prosecutor's Office has announced the Wednesday, March 19, arrest of Middle Township Elementary No. 2 fifth-grade teacher Paul Schirmer. The Cape May resident has been charged with two counts of sexual assault and two counts of endangering the welfare of a child, crimes of the second degree, which can carry prison sentences of 5 to 10 years if found guilty.

Schirmer was being investigated allegations that were made within the past six months of Schirmer inappropriately touching two students under his supervision. Schirmer, aside from teaching fifth grade, also supervises a Chess, Checkers and Scrabble Club after school.

He has been suspended with pay from his teaching position. He was being held on $50,000 bail at the county jail.