ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – A Nease High School teacher accused of sending nude photos to a student via Snapchat should be fired, the St. Johns County School District said.
Dionne Younce, a physical education teacher, is currently suspended with pay, while she is investigated by the St. Johns County Sheriff's Office.
According to statements from three students, Younce messaged them privately and sent them text messages beginning last fall. One of the students, whose name was not released, said Younce also snapchatted with him. He said it was “casual” but then it turned “sexual” after a while.
He said that he and Younce “started sending nude photos to each other” until rumors started and she told him not to talk about it because she didn't want to get caught.
He said he thought the situation was over until he received a Snapchat message during a basketball game of a picture of Younce wearing only a bra. He said he realized the same message had been sent to a fellow football player.
READ: Nease teacher suspension letter
Another one of the student statements said that Younce called him at night to talk about sports. He said "to be completely honest, (she) used to sometimes be, I think, under the influence (when she called)."
The students gave their statements to school officials last Wednesday. The next day, Younce was notified by letter that the district had “elected to dismiss (her) from employment.”
The School Board will vote to take final action on her employment at its Feb. 9 meeting.
During the suspension, Younce is not allowed on school property unless told to be there by the Human Resources Department or the school administration.
She was told not to discuss the suspension with co-workers, parents or students.