State questions Duval County Public Schools over reporting of arrested Douglas Anderson teacher

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The state is now questioning Duval County Public Schools on its reporting of a teacher accused of inappropriate behavior with a student.

Action News Jax has been reporting on former Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teacher Jeffrey Clayton since his arrest in March.

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According to an arrest report from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, Clayton kissed a student.

A new letter from the Florida Department of Education to DCPS Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene questions why the district did not tell the state about a prior incident in November 2021.

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It details Clayton rubbing a student’s back and telling her she’s beautiful.

DCPS tells Action News Jax it did report the 2021 incident to the Florida Department of Children and Families and to the DOE’s Professional Practices Office.

The letter questions why it was not reported to a separate state reporting process.

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School Board Chairwoman Dr. Kelly Coker released the following statement on the letter:

“Today’s letter from the Florida Department of Education further illuminates why our School Board is already pressing for a comprehensive external investigation.

“We must determine what led to the incident involving Jeffrey Clayton and fully review district practices and policies to ensure we meet our most important goal of keeping students safe.”

RELATED COVERAGE

• 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

READ THE FULL LETTER FROM THE DOE BELOW:

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