JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — 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.
Zina Brown says the charge was from September of 1997 for the “sale or delivery of cocaine.”
“When I first got the job, they ran a background check on me, and there was nothing,” Brown said. “They go all the way back to 35 years and find something on me and fire me.”
Brown says the comprehensive background check was ordered after she got into an argument with one of her managers.
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.
“Mind you, I never took a day off; I worked every day,” Brown said. “You’re messing with people’s livelihood. I got my grandkids. I got my family. This is unacceptable.”
Senate Bill 676 took effect in March of 2025. It enforces Level 2 background screenings for school volunteers.
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’s public school system.
“I was young, and out there running the streets doing stuff I ain’t had no business doing, and I ended up going to jail, but I turned my whole life around,” Brown said. “Give people a chance. What [was] done in the past, leave it in the past.”
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.
We were referred to Chartwells for any specific questions regarding Brown’s employment. We reached out, but have not yet heard back.
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