RUMFORD – SAD 21 employee Donald Hebert, 33, was placed on paid administrative leave Monday morning following his arrest on Friday on a sexual assault charge involving a Mountain Valley High School girl within the past year.

SAD 21 Superintendent Tom Ward said Monday afternoon that the leave is with pay, at least for now.

He said the district’s attorney, Harry Pringle of the Portland law firm of Drummond Woodsum, is expected today to address the pay issue and provide information on how to proceed.

Police Chief Stacy Carter said Monday afternoon that the matter continues to be under investigation.

Hebert is an educational technician with SAD 21’s alternative education program, a position he has held for the past several years. He is also the boys’ varsity baseball coach.

He coached boys’ basketball several years ago.

He coached girls’ junior varsity basketball at neighboring Mountain Valley High School during the 2006-2007 school year.

SAD 43 Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said Monday afternoon that the decision for Hebert not to return as the high school’s girls’ junior varsity coach was made before the assault charge and was mutual.

Ward said he met with the teaching staff Monday morning to discuss how to handle questions that come from students on the issue.

He said the matter was treated as a personnel/legal issue.

“If students have concerns, they may visit the guidance counselor. This is very unfortunate for everyone,” he said.

The girl is a student at Mountain Valley High School. Principal Matt Gilbert has said that the district will ensure that she has a support network.

Hebert, a Rumford resident, was released on $800 cash bail following his Friday afternoon arrest.

He is scheduled to be arraigned at 8 a.m. on Jan. 24 in Oxford County Superior Court in Paris.

Hodgkin said a closed session to discuss Hebert’s employment was scheduled to follow Monday’s regular SAD 43 meeting.

Ward said he doesn’t expect a special SAD 21 board meeting since the next regular sesssion is set for Sept. 24.