PARIS – A former coach with two school districts pleaded guilty Wednesday to having sexual relationships with two Mountain Valley High School students.

Donald L. Hebert, 34, of 577 Common Road in Dixfield, pleaded guilty in Oxford County Superior Court to one count of gross sexual assault and one count of unlawful sexual contact, both Class C felonies. Hebert was accused of having sexual relationships with two 17-year-old girls.

Justice Roland Cole accepted a plea agreement, sentencing Hebert to serve nine months of a five-year prison sentence. Hebert must also serve four years probation and register as a sex offender for 10 years.

“We do believe the sentence we’re recommending does take into account the aggravating and mitigating factors of this matter,” said Assistant District Attorney Joseph O’Connor.

According to O’Connor, Hebert was arrested after one of the girls spoke to school officials, who were investigating rumors that Hebert and another school employee were having inappropriate relationships with students.

O’Connor said one of the girls was friends with Hebert’s family and baby-sat his children. O’Connor said the girl moved in with Hebert at one point due to issues with her own family.

At the time he was arrested by Rumford police in September, Hebert was working as an educational technician with the alternative education program at SAD 21. He was also working as the varsity boys baseball coach at Dirigo High School.

Hebert was the girls’ junior varsity basketball coach at Mountain Valley High School for the 2006-07 season.

A mutual decision was made prior to the arrest that Hebert would not return as the coach for the next season, Superintendent Jim Hodgkin said previously.

Hebert had also served as an athletic director, soccer coach, and soccer official at Mountain Valley High School.

One of the girls had played on the basketball team while Hebert was the coach.

Following his arrest, Hebert was put on paid leave until he resigned at the beginning of the year.

James Martemucci, his lawyer, said Hebert had been cooperative in the investigation.

“He wanted to come to this court eventually, and here’s the day, and plead guilty,” said Martemucci.

Hebert was indicted on three counts of gross sexual assault and four counts of unlawful sexual contact in November alleging sexual activity with the girls between February and April of 2007.

Hebert spoke briefly, thanking the court for allowing the entry of the plea and apologizing for his actions.

Hebert had no prior criminal history.

Cole asked Hebert if he had received any training on behavioral boundaries in coaching, and Hebert replied that he had not.

“It was a big mistake,” said Cole. “Do your time, serve your probation, and move on with your life.”