JACKSONVILLE, Fla. \u2014 A now-former Chartwells employee at Fletcher Middle School for more than 10 years was terminated after a level two screening found a drug charge almost 30 years old.<\/p>\n
Zina Brown says the charge was from September of 1997 for the \u201csale or delivery of cocaine.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I first got the job, they ran a background check on me, and there was nothing,\u201d Brown said. \u201cThey go all the way back to 35 years and find something on me and fire me.\u201d<\/p>\n
Brown says the comprehensive background check was ordered after she got into an argument with one of her managers.<\/p>\n
Paperwork from the Florida Department of Education states that the charge disqualifies Brown from working for a Public, Charter, or specialty school, and\/or Educator Certification in accordance with section 435.04 Florida Statutes.<\/p>\n
\u201cMind you, I never took a day off; I worked every day,\u201d Brown said. \u201cYou\u2019re messing with people\u2019s livelihood. I got my grandkids. I got my family. This is unacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Senate Bill 676 took effect in March of 2025. It enforces Level 2 background screenings for school volunteers.<\/p>\n
These screenings use fingerprints to conduct more comprehensive criminal background checks. It also expands the list of offenses that disqualify people from working in Florida\u2019s public school system.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was young, and out there running the streets doing stuff I ain\u2019t had no business doing, and I ended up going to jail, but I turned my whole life around,\u201d Brown said. \u201cGive people a chance. What [was] done in the past, leave it in the past.\u201d<\/p>\n
We reached out to Duval County Public Schools for more information about their background screening policies, and they said they abide by the screening standards put forth by the state.<\/p>\n
We were referred to Chartwells for any specific questions regarding Brown\u2019s employment. We reached out, but have not yet heard back.<\/p>\n
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