JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The fallout continues after several Douglas Anderson School of the Arts teachers were removed and arrested on charges involving students. One of the teachers, Jeffrey Clayton, is currently serving a 10-year prison sentence for crimes against a 16-year-old student.
Now, a bill is heading to the Florida Senate floor that establishes guidelines for when a staff member should be removed and when parents need to be notified.
It’s a bill introduced by state Senator Clay Yarborough who represents parts of Duval County.
It stems from multiple incidents, including the arrest of former algebra teacher Chris Allen-Black in February 2024. He was accused of exposing himself in a Disney hotel room in view of the resort pool.
The timeline of events following Allen-Black’s arrest caught lawmakers’ attention. According to Duval County Public Schools, an investigation was opened on February 27, 2024, when the district learned of the arrest. However, Allen-Black was not relieved of his teaching duties until April 11, 2024, and families were notified on April 17, 2024.
Fast forward to the current legislative session, and Senator Clay Yarborough is advancing legislation he hopes will address this issue.
“Chair and members, this idea rose for me to file the bill based on some unfortunate circumstances we experienced in Duval County,” Yarborough said. “We’re just seeking to tell our districts that student safety is first. They would all have that at the forefront.”
That statement was made in March as SB 1374 began its journey to the Senate floor.
The bill establishes new reporting requirements, mandating that school districts adopt a policy to temporarily remove instructional personnel from the classroom within 24 hours of learning about an arrest for a felony or certain misdemeanors.
Within a day of that, the school would notify parents of students who had direct contact with the employee, including the name and specific charges against the employee.
“Happy to answer any questions and ask for your support,” Yarborough added in the first committee meeting with the Senate Education Pre-K - 12 Committee, where it received unanimous support from both sides of the aisle.
“This is such a needed bill. A lot of times districts’ hands are tied because of due process,” Senator Rosalind Osgood said.
Weeks later, the bill moved to the Criminal Justice Committee, where it again passed easily.
“By your vote, 1374 is reported favorably,” the committee announced.
This week the bill got over its final hurdle going in front of the Rules Committee. SB 1374 received a vote of 24-0.
“We’re all committed to student safety, and that’s what this bill is about. So I appreciate the consideration,” Yarborough said.
The Senate bill is now on the calendar for a full vote on Wednesday. A similar version in the House is awaiting its date for a full vote.
If passed, the bills would become effective on July 1.
