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First Coast High teacher arrested, charged with sexual conduct with former student

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — UPDATE, 11/25/19: Action News Jax has obtained Christine Dennard's arrest report from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office.

According to the report, the victim, identified as a 16-year-old girl, told police that she and Dennard were "involved in an intimate relationship."

The victim also told police that she and Dennard had sex "both on and off the campus of First Coast High School."

UPDATE 4:20 p.m. 11/23/2019: According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Christine Dennard bonded out of jail Saturday. She was being held on a $7,500 bond.

Original Story from 11/22/19: The Duval County Public School System announced the arrest of First Coast High School music teacher Christine S. Dennard, for allegedly engaging in inappropriate sexual conduct with a former student.

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"It is deeply disappointing when any individual's actions cast a shadow over the outstanding work of so many," DCPS Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene said. "However, we will always fully cooperate with law enforcement and other agencies to ensure that adults alleged to harm children are brought to justice."

The school district said, "In her absence, the school will cover her classes and activities with a substitute teacher and will work closely with district resources to support the school's music students during this time."

DCPS said Dennard was taken into custody without incident Friday.

Dennard was charged with five counts of unlawful sexual activity (suspect 24 or older/victim 16 or 17).

The school system will conduct an internal investigation while her criminal charges work through the system.

The principal of First Coast High School said Dennard's classes will be covered by substitute teachers.

Dennard began teaching at FCHS in 2015 and it is the only school she worked at in the district.

"It's really hard to believe," said Sheree Allgary, a parent.

Allgary's daughter was in Dennard's music class. She said she traveled with the choir a number of times.

"And never, ever once did I ever see anything that would've remotely make me think that there was anything inappropriate going on," she said.

Allgary said her daughter and other students love Dennard and look up to her.

"She's been in tears ever since, ever since we found out," said Allgary.

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