C-R Lunch Monitor Arrested on Endangering Charges

COBLESKILL - A 65-year-old lunch monitor was arrested last week on charges of five counts of endangering the welfare of a child, according to the New York State Police.

Police announced that Paul G. Hallock, 65, of Cobleskill, was arrested on five counts of endangering the welfare of a child. The arrest follows a complaint received on April 7, regarding Mr. Hallock's alleged inappropriate conversations with students at William H. Golding Middle School, where he employed as a lunch monitor.

An investigation revealed that from October 2024 to February 2025, Mr. Hallock reportedly engaged in conversations with multiple students under the age of 17 that were harmful to their "mental and moral welfare," police said. Mr. Hallock was processed at SP Cobleskill and subsequently transferred to the Schoharie County Correctional Facility to await arraignment.

Police said that the Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School district has been cooperating with the investigation. 

Mr. Hallock was placed on administrative leave and has not been on school grounds since the district became aware of the concerns last week, according to police.

Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School district officials said they were informed by New York State Police that an employee of the school district was the subject of an ongoing investigation, in relation to an alleged incident at Golding Middle School. The individual has been on administrative leave and has not been present in the schools since the district was first made aware of the allegations within the past week.

Immediately upon receiving complaints, the district followed all appropriate protocols, including "promptly contacting law enforcement out of an abundance of caution," district officials said. "Since that time, we have been cooperating fully with law enforcement and will continue to do so. Police have confirmed that all students are currently safe."

As this is an active and open investigation, officials are unable to provide further details at this time.

Officials said, "We are committed to the safety and well-being of our students and will share additional information as it becomes available and as appropriate.

"We understand that situations like this can cause concern, and we thank our families and community for their understanding and continued trust as we support the investigative process," said Superintendent Matthew Sickles.