SEMINOLE COUNTY, Fla. – Parents at Winter Springs High School learned from the principal this week that an employee resigned after an investigation revealed he engaged in “inappropriate communication” with a student.
A spokesperson for Seminole County Public Schools shared the message that was sent by the principal with News 6. It states that an investigation involving a former staff member at Winter Springs High had just concluded. It goes on to say that although there was no “physical relationship,” there were text messages with a student.
Parents our News 6 team spoke with Wednesday said they were not surprised to hear what happened, but it was upsetting.
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“I’m glad that they are no longer at the school, but I don’t think it surprised anybody,” said Gina Mann. “I love this school. I love this principal. My kids love it here. It’s just part of it unfortunately.”
Gina Mann said she saw parents talking about what happened online. Deborah Leete said two of her sons who are students at the high school had told her they heard rumors.
“Two of my sons who are students came home and told me there was a teacher here who had an inappropriate relationship with a student, but it was in the past,” Leete told News 6.
The school district said as soon as they were notified about the allegations, they immediately notified child protective services and law enforcement and started investigating.
News 6 obtained a report from Winter Springs Police that states a parent told investigators on Sept. 30 that her son had seen messages on his ex-girlfriend’s phone from a former school resource deputy and current criminal justice instructor. The mother also told the officer that some of the messages were “explicit” in nature.
News 6 also asked the school district questions about the investigation and the now former staff member’s employment history. A spokesperson said it is their understanding that because of the student’s age and because there was no evidence of a physical relationship, it was not a “criminal matter.”
The school district said he was hired by SCPS in Sept. 2022 and first worked at Journey’s Academy. He worked at Winter Springs High School from Aug. 2024 until he resigned in September of this year.
Before he worked for the school district, Sanford Police confirmed with News 6 that he was hired by the department in 2018 and was a school resource officer at Seminole High School from June 2021 until he resigned in September of that year.
You can read the full statement from the principal at Winter Springs High School below:
Dear Bear Families,
I wanted to make you aware of an investigation involving a former staff member at Winter Springs High that just concluded. The investigation confirmed there was no physical relationship with a student; however, it did document that the staff member engaged in inappropriate communication involving text messages with a student.Upon being notified of the allegation, we immediately reported the matter to child protective services and law enforcement, as per protocol, and simultaneously initiated an investigation. This individual has resigned from their position and is no longer employed at Winter Springs High School.The safety and well-being of our students are our highest priority, and we hold our employees to the highest professional standards, taking allegations of misconduct seriously. As always, I appreciate the support of our entire school community and encourage any student, staff member, or family member who sees or hears something to please say something.Go Bears,Principal Gaffney