JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – State Rep. Janet Adkins says something needs to be done about teachers who have inappropriate relationships with students.
Adkins, who represents Nassau County and part of Duval County, said she and other lawmakers will consider during the next session in January whether teachers need more monitoring in class.
"I have asked my staff to research methods of prevention and intervention along with mechanisms that will lend to better reporting and more aggressive enforcement of the laws aimed at protecting our children," Adkins said.
Adkins serves as the chairwoman of the K-12 Subcommittee in the Florida House of Representatives.
Thomas Jefferson Elementary school teacher Douglas Bailey, left, was arrested July 23 and charged with lewd and lascivious molestation to a child. News4Jax learned of his arrest last Monday.
On July 21, we also learned three teachers from Westside High School are under investigation for allegations that they had sexual relationships with students.
One was a dean of students, Ernest Timmons, the other a teacher, Kenneth Anderson and the third a coach, named Clarence Thomas. Thomas is facing one count of unlawful sexual activity with a minor. He was also a corrections officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office. Investigators say Thomas had sex several times with a 17-year-old girl he met at school.
"The recent arrest of teachers for alleged sexual conduct continue to raise questions in the minds of parents throughout Florida regarding screening, evaluation and monitoring steps that are in place to protect our children," said Adkins in a press release sent to News4Jax yesterday.
"This type of behavior is incomprehensible and action must be taken to prevent these situations from occurring," Adkins said.
All employees and agents of the public school district, charter school, or private school have an obligation and legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators that affects the health, safety and welfare of a student.
Adkins urged anyone with information about inappropriate contact between an educator and a student to tell someone and not keep it secret.