MACOMB TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Dakota High School junior Devon Parini said teacher and coach Paul Tocco was back in class on Tuesday, and he was very emotional.
The teacher said he made a mistake and made a heartfelt apology to students.
"I was very surprised to see him," said Parini. "He apologized to the whole class and school and his family about what he did, and he knew he made a mistake."
Tocco teaches economics and is the varsity basketball coach -- and a former assistant football coach -- at the high school. He was arrested in September for drunken driving near the school. He also was hit with drug charges for having more than 50 highly-addictive hydrocodone pain killers with him.
However, the drug charges were dropped after Tocco proved he wasn't taking the drugs -- he was keeping them away from his wife.
"He took two polygraphs once in the Sheriff's Department. He passed both with flying colors, and that point ... look, we don't want to ruin a guy's career because he's trying to help a family member," said Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith.
He did plead guilty to the drunken driving. Sheriff's deputies said Tocco's blood alcohol level was .12.
Even with the plea, an email went out from the school principal which told staff members that the board of education discussed Tocco on Monday and he was back in class on Wednesday.
The Chippewa Valley School District offered this statement:
"As a result of the prosecutor's investigation and decision to drop charges in the case, Mr. Tocco's acceptance of responsibility, and the fact that this matter did not involve students in any way, the district allowed Mr. Tocco to return to work."
Local 4 reached out to Tocco with phone calls and emails. He has not responded.