Sarasota board orders former Venice High teacher added to state disqualification list after conviction

The Sarasota County School Board voted unanimously April 7 to enter a final order making former Venice High teacher Jacob Riddick ineligible for future employment with the district and to refer his name to the Florida Department of Educationdisqualification list.

Board member Tom Edwards moved to enter the final order, saying the board found by clear and convincing evidence that "in 2024, while a teacher with the school board, Jacob Riddick engaged in sexual misconduct with a student and was subsequently convicted of three counts of soliciting a minor as an authority figure," a qualifying offense under the statutes and rules cited at the hearing. The motion passed on a voice vote, with Edwards, Robin Marinelli, Karen Rose, Liz Barker and Chair Bridget Ziggler voting yes.

District legal counsel explained the process established by a 2022 change to state law and implementing department rules that created a statewide disqualification list used by school districts, charter schools and other education entities for hiring checks. Counsel said the district must designate a point of contact, provide written notice to any person proposed for inclusion, and record findings in a final order before submitting a name to the DOE list.

Al Hereda, the districtdirector of employee relations and human resources, testified that the district received an anonymous complaint in 2024 alleging an inappropriate relationship involving Riddick at Venice High School. Hereda said HR assigned investigator Brooke Cambria; before an interview could be completed, Riddick resigned using the district's "resignation in lieu of termination" form. Hereda reviewed investigative materials, arrest-warrant records and a court order contained in the board packet and told the board the file showed a guilty plea or plea of no contest and a judicial order entered by Judge Krug.

Counsel tendered six exhibits into the record, described on the public record as the investigative report, arrest and probable-cause records, the court order, the resignation form, the district's DQ reporting form and the disqualification notice sent to Riddick. The board unanimously voted to incorporate those materials and the hearing testimony into the record, and authorized board counsel to prepare a written final order reflecting the board's findings and to present it to the chair for signature.

Under the procedure described at the hearing, once the final order is executed the district will submit Riddick's name to the Department of Education's disqualification list so that future school employers will see the disqualification when screening applicants. The board chair said she would receive the final order for signature after counsel finalizes it.

The hearing concluded at 1:48 p.m.