A Rutland alternative school teacher who worked with juvenile sex offenders for 16 years was removed from his job in September, weeks after testifying to a legislative committee about the likelihood that offenders will commit new crimes.

Chuck Laramie, 51, who taught English and history to teenage males at a residential school called the Park Street Program, was placed on leave Sept. 19, two days after the program got a letter from its funding source, the Burlington-based Howard Center, saying he should be dismissed.

Some Vermont lawmakers are expressing concern that the treatment of Laramie will place a chilling effect on the willingness of others to testify to legislative committees.