Duval Early Learning Academy Principal on Leave After Lying on Sworn Statement
“A safe and secure school climate is essential for learning. Students benefit most from the educational opportunities that they are provided when their learning environment is safe, secure and orderly.” - Alachua County Public Schools
An Alachua County Public School teacher at Duval Early Learning Academy (DEL), Tamera Williams Calhoun, 45, was arrested on September 6 and charged with child cruelty for physically abusing a preschooler. Calhoun posted a $25,000 bond three days after she was arrested.
An email shows that the school’s principal, Jessy Alvarez, has been placed on administrative leave for an unspecified reason.
A parent, Angela Casteel, told GnvInfo that DEL hasn’t told parents if Calhoun is fired, let alone issued any announcements regarding Calhoun’s arrest. Despite the incident happening in August, Casteel found out in September after reading a report from the Alachua Chronicle.
The arrest report shows that Alvarez lied on a sworn statement by giving false information to the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and Human Resources. Alvarez said the victim didn’t sustain any injuries from the attack, despite injuries being visibly apparent. The DCF didn’t accept her report.
The arrest report states that Alvarez told an investigator that “she did not believe she had to tell the victim’s mother what [the witnessing teacher] reported because DCF didn’t accept her report.”
Calhoun’s arrest report goes on to state that Alvarez had a meeting with the victim’s mom, but it “was not planned or scheduled but, rather, described as coincidental.” Alvarez lied to the victim’s mom by concealing the witness’ story and only telling Calhoun’s side.
Alvarez reportedly “counseled” Calhoun and allowed her to remain in the classroom.
Calhoun committed child abuse because the victim, a four-year-old, went under a table during a Pokemon game. Calhoun dragged the victim by the ear and held it for several minutes. Calhoun did this in front of another teacher, who gave a sworn statement. The victim was able to physically show where and how Calhoun abused him.
The teacher who witnessed the battery told police that this wasn’t the first time Calhoun had physically abused the victim. “She observed [Calhoun] being ‘rough’ with the students and grabbing them by the arms/wrists over the course of the [first two days of the school year]. She also advised [Calhoun] roughly grabbed VIC by the forearm on [the first day of school].”
Casteel said the Alachua County School Board failed to complete her public records requests. “I was specifically asking for a list of the faculty and their background checks. They sent me a list of faculty but no background checks. The faculty list didn’t include the school’s administration.”
In 2003, Calhoun was arrested for theft and took a plea deal. In 2006, she took a plea deal on drug charges. In 2007, she took a plea deal on petty theft charges. In 2018, she was charged with property damage, but the case was dropped.
Casteel believes that Alvarez knew about Calhoun’s criminal history and still allowed her to work around children. “I believe she knew about the background, and I believe she knew her. I believe that’s why the principal said there were no injuries…. I feel like they personally knew each other. That’s why the principal is covering for her.”
Casteel said Alvarez should be investigated for evidence concealment and that the Gainesville Police Department (GPD) should make an arrest soon.
Casteel said the school does have good teachers who were in a similar situation to her but also acknowledged the potential of similar cases occurring under Alvarez. “Somebody has witnessed it for two days, and they bring it to her attention, and it gets flipped under the rug. She’s probably done more in the past…. When I asked a faculty member why we only heard about it when it came on the news, I was told they just found out as well."
Alvarez has been replaced by interim principal Karla Hutchinson. Casteel said a faculty member told her DEL says someone is on “leave” when they’re placed under an administrative investigation. Casteel said Alvarez will likely be fired or have to forcefully resign in the near future.
This wouldn’t be the first time DEL has been in legal trouble.
Alvarez replaced former principal Dr. Catherine Barnes when she forcefully resigned in April 2019 after being placed under investigation and administrative leave due to receiving complaints from staff members. Barnes later sued the school board for racial discrimination (Gainesville Sun, Dec. 2020).
Multiple news organizations reported Barnes' leave was for staff complaints, but it came shortly after reports emerged that former teacher Renee Guertin body slammed a three-year old into a cafeteria bench (TV20, Mar. 2019).
The Gainesville Sun reported “Surveillance video and police reports show that Renee Guertin grabbed the boy from behind and dropped him on a cafeteria bench. She then reportedly hit the child five times and dragged him to a door by his right arm, where he was handed to other staff members. Around 200 other students were in the cafeteria at the time.”
The charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence.
TV20 reported DEL shut down for the 2023 school year, and it reopened this year.
GnvInfo gave Alachua County Public Schools, Hutchinson and Alvarez the opportunity to read and respond to everything in this article before it was released publicly. They were granted approximately six hours to respond before the article was released. As of this writing, nobody has responded.
DEL’s website states the school’s library “is a place for all kinds of learners and readers.” Calhoun’s victim is diagnosed with autism and was abused at DEL.
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