Former Gullett Elementary Teacher Accused of Grooming Student; Resignation Accepted Amid Ongoing Investigation
Disturbing allegations of inappropriate conduct between a former teacher and a fifth-grade student surfaced during Tuesday’s Manatee County School Board meeting. The situation involves Jarrett Williams, a former fifth-grade teacher at Gullett Elementary School, who is accused of grooming an 11-year-old student earlier this year.
The incident allegedly occurred on Valentine’s Day, when the teacher reportedly kept the student alone in his classroom for 45 minutes while her classmates attended a scheduled activity in the library. The student's mother discovered a handwritten two-page letter in her daughter's bedroom, which she presented during the public comment portion of the board meeting.
The letter expressed personal and emotional sentiments, including declarations of love and references to the close bond between teacher and student. After the letter came to light, the school district reassigned Williams to a non-student-contact position.
The district’s handling of the incident has raised concerns among parents and some board members, with questions emerging about transparency and student safety. Board member Cindy Spray noted she learned more about the case from the public comment than from the district’s leadership.
The board has since accepted Williams’s resignation. Although he resigned while under investigation, his personnel file will be flagged for future reference. Meanwhile, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that non-sexual criminal charges are expected.
The student’s mother shared the emotional toll the incident has had on her daughter, describing ongoing trauma and disrupted sleep. The school district and law enforcement continue to address the matter as investigations proceed.
