INVESTIGATES: State calls DCPS delay in reporting teacher misconduct ‘completely unacceptable’

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The state is coming down on embattled Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene after the fallout from the March arrest of a former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher.

A scathing new letter from Florida Education Commissioner Manny Diaz calls the district’s delay in reporting dozens of other incidents of teacher misconduct at other schools “completely unacceptable.”

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It references DCPS first reporting 50 cases on Friday, spanning the past few years, that were not previously reported.

On Monday, Greene supporters rallied at DCPS headquarters to back Greene, whose job could be in jeopardy, according to numerous Action News Jax sources.

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Greene released the following statement on Diaz’s letter:

“I was surprised and angered to learn from Commissioner Diaz that our office of professional standards apparently was in possession of 50 delinquent case files, which they recently sent to the state office of professional practices.

“Our most recent state operational audit reviewed the effectiveness of board policies and district procedures in investigations and reporting of ethical conduct of instructional personnel and school administrators. There were no audit findings on this topic in the January 2023 report. Therefore, until receiving the commissioner’s letter, I had no indication that we were out of compliance with any file.

“I agree completely with the commissioner that delays in reporting cannot be tolerated. We will look into this matter further and take appropriate action following our review.”

The school board is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Wednesday and School Board Chairwoman Dr. Kelly Coker said the incident reporting issues will be part of the discussion.

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Coker released the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:

“I am deeply troubled to learn the district has only recently sent upwards of 50 investigative cases involving educators in Duval County Public Schools to the Office of Professional Practices for the Florida Department of Education (FDOE). Some of these cases date back to as early as 2020. The timely reporting of any violation to the FDOE is crucial in how we safeguard students. The timeline for reporting is also clearly outlined in state statute, and our Board has every expectation that our district will adhere to the laws which govern our work with students. I am confident this topic will be a part of our discussion in the Special Board Meeting I have called for Wednesday, April 26. The children of Duval County deserve better, and as a Board, we want to assure our community that the security and safety of their children in our schools will always be our number one priority.”

RELATED COVERAGE

• State questions Duval County Public Schools over reporting of arrested Douglas Anderson teacher
• Arrested Duval teacher kissed student, told her of ‘intoxicating’ feelings for her, warrant says
• ‘It’s terrifying:’ Jacksonville teacher facing felony charges for alleged lewd conduct with student
• Douglas Anderson teacher accused of lewd conduct ‘involving a student’ submits retirement, DCPS says
• Former Douglas Anderson students, staff demanding accountability and transparency amid investigation
• Duval school board members discuss investigations after teacher-involved Douglas Anderson incidents
• ‘Everything on the table’ for DCPS superintendent, Dr. Diana Greene
• Dozens rallied for DCPS Superintendent regarding her future with the district

Action News Jax’s Ben Becker will have the latest updates on this story on CBS47 & FOX30 Action News Jax at 6.

READ DIAZ’S LETTER TO GREENE BELOW:

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