JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Baldwin Middle-Senior High School Principal Michael Smith is being reassigned after a firearm was found in his car on campus, Duval County Public Schools announced Tuesday afternoon.
DCPS Superintendent Christopher Bernier said Duval County School Police Chief Jackson Short received a tip Tuesday that a firearm may be on campus in Smith’s vehicle.
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Bernier said he then directed Short to investigate and bring the district’s gun alert dog with him.
Short said the firearm was loaded and was in the center console of Smith’s car. He said Smith “did not make any statements about what his typical day-to-day carrying process is.”
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Action News Jax told you last week that some of the school’s parents were outraged after learning Smith, who became principal this year, has had several misconduct complaints in the past decade.
Smith was appointed after the school’s former principal was arrested for failing to report possible teacher sexual misconduct.
Short said Smith was issued a criminal citation after violating Florida State Statute. It is a misdemeanor charge and requires a court appearance, Short said, and Smith was not taken into custody.
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Bernier will lead a meeting at the school on Wednesday with faculty and staff to share the information that they are able to at this point in the investigation.
Bernier said he has not seen an administrator in possession of a gun on campus, but he said last year at Alden Road Exceptional Student Center, a similar situation arose where a paraprofessional was found to be carrying a gun.
“I don’t want anybody with a gun ever returning to any location,” he said.
You can watch the news conference as it aired on the Action News Jax YouTube channel below:
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