A relieving teacher at South Otago High School was sacked last Friday and is in police custody after being caught allegedly driving while over the alcohol limit three times in two weeks.
The man will appear in the Balclutha District Court today on three drink-driving charges and one of driving while suspended.
The teacher had only been relieving at the school for about five weeks.
Board of trustees chairman Charles Hakkaart said it became aware of the man's alleged offending after he was arrested in Balclutha last Wednesday.
The board had begun talks with the man about possible disciplinary action when he was allegedly caught drunk behind the wheel two days later.
"When we became aware of it [last Wednesday's incident], we entered into discussions with him [the teacher], but obviously when it happened again, well, that was the end of it from our perspective."
The man's dismissal was effective immediately.
Mr Hakkaart said the teacher had stepped in as a reliever about two weeks into the term after another staff member went on leave for health reasons.
"[The man] was pretty much the only one [reliever] available at the time," he said.
Balclutha police yesterday confirmed a 53-year-old man was arrested twice last week and charged with drink-driving on each occasion.
The first incident was in Balclutha on September 3 and the second on September 5.
In the most recent incident, he was also charged with driving while suspended.
Sergeant Martin Bull said the man had also been processed for drink-driving late last month.
The man briefly appeared before the court registrar last Friday on the most recent charge and was placed in custody awaiting today's appearance.
Police are expected to oppose bail this morning.
