First Coast High teacher arrested, accused of soliciting or engaging in romantic relationship with student

Florida Times-Union - 4/7/2021

A 27-year-old science teacher at First Coast High School has been arrested following allegations she solicited a romantic relationship with a student.

Gretchin Hope Thompson was charged Wednesday morning with bail set at $5,000, Duval County jail records show. The arrest report was not immediately available.

Parents and students were made aware of the situation Wednesday through a pre-recorded phone call from Principal Justin Fluent.

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“Today, we learned that the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office arrested Ms. Thompson on a charge of soliciting or engaging in a romantic relationship with a student," Fluent said. "While the judicial process plays out and as our internal human resources review continues, Ms. Thompson will not be returning to the classroom; however, I want to remind everyone of the presumption of innocence.”

Fluent added that Thompson was removed from the classroom earlier this school year upon receiving allegations she was engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a student.

In her absence, Fluent said the science teacher's classes will be staffed by a long-term substitute.

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The Times-Union reached out to Duval County Public Schools for comment but did not immediately hear back.

This is a developing story.

Emily Bloch is an education reporter for The Florida Times-Union. Follow her on Twitter or email her.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: First Coast High teacher arrested, accused of soliciting or engaging in romantic relationship with student

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