JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education is taking action against former Douglas Anderson teacher Corey Thayer, who was accused of inappropriate contact with students last year.
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The new development comes just one day after a school board member raised concerns after noticing his teaching certificate was still valid and Action News Jax exposed student accusations against Thayer that predated his employment in Duval.
In a letter written by Florida Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz Thursday, the commissioner requested former Douglas Anderson teacher Corey Thayer have an administrative notice placed on his educator profile.
“The safety of Florida students was recently jeopardized when it was reported that Mr. Thayer, an educator in Duval County, took advantage of his position of trust,” Diaz wrote.
FDOE confirmed Friday morning the commissioner’s request had been approved.
“While Mr. Thayer is not currently employed as an educator, this notice ensures that any hiring district will be made aware of the allegations against Mr. Thayer,” an FDOE spokesperson told Action News Jax in an emailed statement.
Duval School Board Vice Chair April Carney (District 2) was the first to notice Thayer’s teaching certificate was still valid.
“It’s good news today,” said Carney after learning about the latest action taken by FDOE.
She said thanks to that action the family of Thayer’s victim will have assurance the former teacher can’t simply move on to another district.
“I know that they will be extremely pleased to hear this news,” said Carney.
It seems Thayer has swapped districts after facing misconduct allegations in the past.
On Thursday, Action News Jax uncovered at least three separate complaints against Thayer where he was accused of sexual and behavioral misconduct dating back to 1999.
Those accusations came from Thayer’s personnel file, not from Duval, but his previous employer Orange County Public Schools.
While the new action from DOE ensures employers will be made aware of the allegations against Thayer, his teaching certificate is still technically intact.
According to the department, it doesn’t have the statutory authority to fully revoke his certificate without going the proper due process.
“The Department is using every tool at our disposal to keep this individual away from kids,” said an FDOE spokesperson in an emailed statement.
Carney said she’s optimistic the outcome of that process will ultimately lead to a full revocation.
“Looking at the transcripts and the interviews, I don’t see how that wouldn’t be the absolute final decision at that point,” said Carney.
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