The former dean of discipline at a Queens middle school has pleaded guilty to child endangerment for separately spanking four teen students in his van, The Post has learned. William Rini, 48, was spared jail time after telling Judge Suzanne Melendez last Wednesday that he hit the four 13-year-old boys between Jan. 2 and May 31 of last year.

As part of the deal, the ex-social studies teacher from IS 145 in Jackson Heights agreed to never set foot in a classroom again as a teacher, prosecutors said.

He must also stay out of trouble for a year or he will go to jail.

The judge also issued a 3-year order of protection for the spanked students.

"It's a just and fair disposition," said a Patrick Clark, spokesman for District Attorney Richard Brown.

Clark said the Department of Education has been notified of the deal and the process of revoking his teaching license is under way.

Rini was initially charged with enlisting another student to lie about the spankings and offer his victims $65 apiece to keep their mouths shut - but that charge was later dismissed.

The Manhasset, L.I., resident, who was adviser to the cave-exploring club and the wrestling team, was arrested June 2 when one victim came forward.

Prosecutors said Rini drove the teens several blocks from school, offered them the choice of being spanked with his hand or a dog brush, and then struck each of them 20 to 40 times.

He initially faced up to two years in prison.