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Jacksonville assistant principal arrested, accused of stealing from school donor

By Jenna Bourne and Action News Jax
By Jenna Bourne and Action News Jax

A Jacksonville assistant principal is accused of stealing from a regular donor to his school.

John Stockton Elementary School Assistant Principal Jamall Collins was arrested Thursday on two charges of grand theft.

ORIGINAL STORY: Assistant principal at John Stockton Elementary School arrested, according to school district

“That’s just crazy to hear that. It’s sad,” said Natalie Morris, whose daughter is in fifth grade at the school. “You wouldn’t expect anything like this to happen. I mean, it’s just a shame, really.”

Parents received an automated message from Principal Stephanie Brannan.

“I am disappointed to have to inform you that Mr. Collins was arrested today on charges of grand theft,” said Brannan in her message.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office report on Collins’ arrest said a manager at Ortega Orthodontics handed Collins a $2,000 donation to the school on Nov. 8.

A front desk clerk later told police she saw Collins open the envelope and say, “That’s a big check,” and “I think I’m supposed to hold these.”

JSO said Collins used the orthodontist’s account information on that check to pay his rent and insurance.

“I don’t like to presume somebody’s guilty until I’ve seen the evidence,” said Iris Meyers, whose grandson is in first grade at John Stockton Elementary.

Meyers said this could be a lesson learned for her grandson.

“He’s going to have to make choices and choices have consequences. He has to be aware that there are consequences, even for grownups.”

A Duval County Public Schools spokesperson said, in addition to the criminal investigation into Collins, the district’s office of professional standards will do an independent investigation, as required by district policy.

A DCPS spokesperson said Superintendent Dr. Diana Greene plans to pursue termination. 
The school board will ultimately decide whether to approve Collins' firing.

Timeline:
-    Aug. 7, 2017: Collins starts working for DCPS as a teacher
-    Aug. 6, 2018: Collins is appointed assistant principal of John Stockton Elementary
-    Nov. 8, 2018: Collins accepts check from Ortega Orthodontics, according to JSO
-    Nov. 28, 2018: Theft allegations surface
-    Nov. 30, 2018: DCPS reassigns Collins to a district-level assignment
-    Dec. 6, 2018: Collins is arrested at Duval County School Police headquarters

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