Lakewood Ranch High science teacher resigns

Lakewood Ranch High School physics teacher Hollis Morantes is no longer part of the school's faculty.

Although Morantes, who only taught at the school for one year, officially resigned Nov. 13, the Manatee County School District is scheduled to approve her request at its Dec. 8 meeting.

Morantes said the resignation was due to "personal reasons," district attorney Mitchell Teitelbaum said.

"When Mrs. Morantes met at the district she was very polite and professional, and she tendered her resignation without any incident," Teitelbaum said. "She has abided by all restrictions of not going on school grounds."

Because of the type of charges on which she was arrested — possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and child neglect — she was prohibited from having any contact with students.

Morantes and her husband, Gambino, were arrested Nov. 4 at their home in Ona. Officials found drug paraphernalia, and more than 4 grams of methamphetamine. Morantes admitted to smoking methamphetamine earlier that day.

She was charged with child neglect because the drugs were within reach of her 5-year-old child.

Morantes was immediately put on paid administrative leave following her arrest, and a long-term substitute has been in place at the East County school since her arrest.

The district wasn't prepared to fire Morantes until she received due process, during which she could contest the charges against her.

Lakewood Ranch High Principal Craig Little hasn't responded for comment on Morantes leaving the school.

Contact Amanda Sebastiano at [email protected].