Married Teacher at Upscale Vermont Boarding School Allegedly Had Sex with Student in Her Classroom

A teacher at a Vermont boarding school has been arrested and accused of having an inappropriate relationship with an underage student.

PEOPLE confirms that Anitra Lahiri, 44, was teaching at Lyndon Institute in Lyndon Center, Vermont. She was arrested earlier this month and charged with sexual exploitation of a minor and disseminating indecent material to a minor. The charges stemmed from a sexual relationship that she allegedly had with a 17-year-old male student.

According to the police report that was first obtained by WCAX-TV, Lahiri and the student allegedly had sex at least twice in the spring of 2018. One of the encounters allegedly happened at an apartment, while the other allegedly occurred in Lahiri’s classroom. The student, who graduated in June, allegedly told police he initially started communicating with Lahiri on social media when he was in her study hall.

The allegations have shocked the upscale boarding school, which was established in 1867 and costs $45,000 per year for on-campus students.

The Head of School, Twiladawn Perry, released a statement saying school officials will cooperate with authorities.

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“At Lyndon Institute, the safety and well-being of our students are our top priorities, and we take all necessary steps to ensure that these priorities are safeguarded,” Perry wrote. “Our policies and procedures require that professional boundaries be maintained at all times between any adult in our community, and our students, and all school staff are trained concerning these limits, as well as about their obligations as mandated reporters.

“Our students are repeatedly taught that if they see something, they should say something,” Perry continued. “When the School learns of matters of concern from any source, we act quickly by both investigating and involving state and local authorities, as required and as appropriate to the situation.”

Lahiri’s employment with the school has been terminated. She is a married mother of two young sons.

In court on Monday, Lahiri denied the allegations against her and pleaded not guilty. She has been released on bond.

PEOPLE was unable to reach her for comment. It is unclear whether she has hired an attorney.