Updated 8/2/25: Newberg High School Long-Term Substitute Teacher Arrested for Supplying Alcohol to a Minor

By Rebecca Wallis

Newberg, OR – November 4, 2024 – Updated August 1, 2025, August 2, 2025

Clarification:A previous version of this article stated that Joshua Luciani was sentenced to probation following his conviction for furnishing alcohol to a minor on March 26, 2025. Mr. Luciani has since clarified that no probation was ordered as part of his sentence. We regret the error and have updated the article accordingly.

Update: Joshua Lunciani pled guilty and was convicted of “furnishing alcohol to a person under 21” on March 26, 2025. Sentencing by Judge Ladd Wiles. As of August 1, 2025, Mr. Luciani shows up on the staff directory on Newberg Public Schools website. It has not been confirmed if the directory is correct.

An email was sent to football parents on July 14, 2025 from Battle Ready Athletics announcing the formation a team to represent Oregon in a Youth Football National Championship Tournament led by Joshua Luciani also known as Coach Luchi.

Superintendent Dave Parker sent the following email to school district families on November 1st, 2024;

Dear Newberg Dundee Community,

I am writing to inform you of an unfortunate situationinvolving one of our teachers, who was recently arrested for allegedly supplying alcohol to a minor. We recognize that news like this can be unsettling, and we want to assure you that we are fully cooperating with local law enforcement to address the matter. At this time, the teacher in question is no longer an employee of the Newberg School District.

In accordance with our policies and legal responsibilities, we have notified the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission (TSPC) as required. Please understand that, due to privacy considerations of students and staff, we are limited in the details we can share.

Actions like this in no way represent the values of our district and our community.

Sincerely,

Dave Parker
Interim Superintendent 
Newberg Dundee Public Schools

In a press release issued on November 4th, the Newberg-Dundee Police Department reported the October 28th arrest of 41-year-old Joshua Eugene Luciani of Lafayette, Oregon. The arrest followed an investigation into claims that Luciani provided alcohol to a 16-year-old girl. Luciani, who served as a long-term substitute teacher and assistant football coach at Newberg High School, is charged with Furnishing Alcohol to a Minor, a Class A misdemeanor.

The incident came to light when a concerned citizen reported the matter to authorities. School resource officers launched a thorough investigation, which confirmed the allegations. Police emphasized that the incident did not take place on school property. The Newberg School District, which cooperated fully with law enforcement, directed questions regarding Luciani’s employment to its office.

Luciani has a history of legal issues. Records show a series of violations, including driving offenses. In July 2023, he was driving while suspendend, which resulted in a $440 fine after he failed to appear in court​. In another case from August 2024, he was charged with driving while suspended and a safety belt violation, accruing fines totaling $555. Furthermore, Luciani’s criminal background includes a 2013 drug-related conviction in Nevada for possession of a controlled substance​.

The Yamhill County District Attorney’s Office will oversee the prosecution. Meanwhile, the Newberg-Dundee Police Department commended the school district for their cooperation. The arrest highlights concerns about ensuring student safety and accountability within educational institutions.