FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATIO. doen Manny Diaz. Commissioner of Education Ben Gibson, Choir Ryan Petty, Vice Chair Members Monesia Brown Esther Byrd Grate Pore Cristie kelly Gara Marytyan Magar February 13, 2024 Dr. Dana Kriznar Interim Superintendent Duval County Public Schools 1701 Prudential Drive Jacksonville, Florida 32207 Dear Interim Superintendent Kriznar: In April 2023, Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) reported a total of seventy-three (73) cases to the Florida Department of Education’s Office of Professional Practices Services (PPS). Those cases dated back as far as 2020, spanning three different school years, and were not previously reported to PPS. On April 25, 2023, Commissioner Diaz sent a letter to Superintendent Diana Greene, sharing that it was completely unacceptable that DCPS did not promptly report these cases as required by Florida Statutes. As the Chancellor of Public Schools, I cannot and will not tolerate delays in reporting educator misconduct to PPS. Section 1012.796(1)(d)1., Florida Statutes (F.S.), states, in part, that all school districts are required to report legally sufficient complaints to the Department within 30 days of the complaint coming to the attention of the district. In April 2023, the Office of Inspector General (O1G) began investigating DCPS and their delayed reporting and violation of section 1012.796(1)(d)1., F.S. On January 25, 2024, the O1G released Investigative Report 2023-0003, that substantiated that former DCPS employee, Reginald Johnson, failed to report alleged teacher misconduct to PPS as required by section 1012.796, F.S., and Duval County School Board Policy 6.80. In their report, the OIG recommended that DCPS review its internal policies to ensure that district policies accurately reflect district practices. Additionally, the OIG recommended that DCPS establish and implement policies and procedures to adequately report and track their submission of cases to PPS. Finally, the OIG recommended that DCPS take the necessary steps to ensure that all cases have been reported to PPS as required by statute at the conclusion of the district's audit. ‘Dr. Paul O. BuRNs ‘chance oF Pusu ScH001s ‘www fldoe org 325 W. Gaines Street—Suite 1502 | Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400 | 850-245-0509Dr. Dana Kriznar February 13, 2024 Page Two My first priority is protecting Florida’s students, Any delays in the required reporting of educator misconduct risks the health, safety and welfare of our students. These delays are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. I expect an immediate response on how DCPS plans to implement the recommendations made by the OIG and ensure that all future reports to PPS are within the statutory timelines. Sincerely, Pond O- Quwo? Paul O. Burns, Ed.D. Chancellor of Public Schools cc: Darryl Willie, Duval County School Board Chairman Charlotte D. Joyce, Duval County Schoo! Board Vice Chairman April A. Camey, Duval County School Board Member Dr. Kelly Coker, Duval County School Board Member Lori Hershey, Duval County School Board Member Warren A. Jones, Duval County School Board Member Cindy Pearson, Duval County School Board Member