Manatee County teacher accused of inappropriate behavior resigns

Manatee County School Board members on Tuesday night accepted the resignation of a fifth grade teacher at B.D. Gullett Elementary who is under investigation for inappropriate contact with at least one student.

Jarrett Williams’ resignation, submitted in writing on April 25, was accepted 4-1, with school board member Cindy Spray casting the dissenting vote, instead urging the district fire the teacher.

Superintendent Jason Wysong said Williams would be considered to have resigned under investigation, which will trigger a flurry of notifications on his employment record and potential job references. It also would have the same effect as a firing, agreed legal representative Patricia Petruff and general counsel Kevin Pendley. 

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the allegations. 

“When there are no external investigations happening, the work happens quickly but again we do nothing that interferes with an external investigation,” Wysong said. 

A public speaker on Tuesday who identified herself as the mother of a child with whom Williams had inappropriate contact said she had a “two-page, handwritten, textbook grooming letter that was written by this teacher and given to my 11-year-old daughter.” 

She also alleged that a video portrays the teacher and her daughter entering a classroom alone.

Wysong said the law enforcement investigation would take initial precedence, but the case would be investigated by the state Department of Education and local district authorities.

On Wednesday, the school district released this statement in response to a request for comment:

"On Sunday, March 9, 2025, a concerning letter from Mr. Williams to a student was reported to the principal. On Monday, March 10, 2025, the district reassigned Mr. Willams to a non-instructional facility where he had no contact with students. 

"The district also notified the Florida Department of Children and Families, the Manatee County Sheriff's Office, and the Florida Department of Education's Office of Professional Practices. The Sheriff's Office and school district opened independent investigations into the allegations. In cases like these, the law enforcement investigation takes precedence.

 "Once the Sheriff's Office gave the district authorization, Mr. Williams was interviewed by the district's Office of Professional Standards. During that interview, on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, Mr. Williams submitted his resignation from employment with the district. His resignation was placed on the agenda for the very next school board meeting, Tuesday, April 29th, for personnel action. After public comment and board discussion, the school board approved the resignation so that Mr. Williams' separation from the district was complete. The Manatee County Sheriff's Office investigation remains open, and the district will continue to fully cooperate with that investigation."