JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- The Duval County School Board is expected to make a decision Tuesday regarding termination of a fourth grade teacher who is accused of sexually abusing a child.
Christopher Bacca was arrested in July after a boy told police he spent the night at Bacca's apartment, where he showered and engaged in oral sex with the 26-year-old.
At the time of Bacca's arrest, Superintendent Ed Pratt-Dannals recommended he be suspended without pay pending the Board's decision today.
The Board is also awaiting recommendations by the school system's Human Resources department regarding current policies and procedures that need updating. An on going review was sped up in light of Bacca's case.
Bacca was hired by the school system in 2009 as a teacher at Long Branch Elementary where he was investigated for allegations by another child who said he slept in the same bed with Bacca. The child said nothing sexual happened and no criminal charges were filed, so Bacca was given a written reprimand and moved to Windy Hill Elementary without going before the school board. Some members told Action News that procedure is one that needs to be closely reviewed, as do many others.
"Our early intervention is screening and having a very tight process," said Tommy Hazouri. "We're looking at what we're doing now and seeing if are there any loopholes. Is there anything that we missed in our screening?"
The board is expected to make its termination decision at its 6 p.m. meeting Tuesday. They will then share their decision with the Florida Board of Education which will decide how to proceed with Bacca's teaching certificate.
