Florida Today
Mims, FL (Florida Today) -- A Mims Elementary school teacher is under investigation after
officials were notified of "inappropriate touching" that went on between
kindergartners in her classroom.
School district officials said the behavior was between several students and went on for months.
"There
is no reason pursuant to the information law enforcement gave us last
night to believe there was criminal behavior by kindergartners,"
district security director Andrea Alford said during this morning's
press conference. "It was more of a situation of young kids acting in a
particular way behaviorally."
Officials met with parents late Wednesday to discuss the situation.
"They
were obviously upset to hear there was something going on," district
spokeswoman Michelle Irwin said. There are 16 students in the classroom.
Brevard
County Sheriff's officials are investigating whether the inaction of
the teacher - who per district policy should have reported any suspected
abuse - warrants criminal charges.
"We can't release
anything else right now because it is an ongoing investigation," Brevard
County Sheriff's spokeswoman Deputy Maria Fernez said.
Brevard Schools officials said the teacher was not involved in the inappropriate action.
The
teacher resigned last week because of performance issues, Irwin said.
FLORIDA TODAY has made a request to review the teacher's personnel file.
"We
were dealing with her performance issues and then we learned of the
investigation," Irwin said. This was the woman's first year teaching.
DCF
contacted school district officials on March 1 after receiving
information about the alleged inappropriate touching. A letter was sent
home to parents on March 5, and counseling services have been made
available. A "veteran" teacher and volunteer have been placed in the
classroom, officials said.