Parents in Marion County are demanding answers from Ocala Christian Academy after a fifth-grade teacher was arrested last week for admitting to taking pictures up a young girl’s skirt.
Joel Gould was arrested after officials say he admitted to the voyeurism. What’s fueling parents’ outrage, however, is what happened before the arrest: school leaders were told about a parent’s concern on a Friday, yet Gould was allowed back into the classroom until he was arrested the following Tuesday — because administrators said they found nothing on his phone, according to his arrest report.
Parents protest outside school
Stephenee Pearson, a mother whose daughter participated in safety patrol with Gould, was among those protesting outside the school. She said she is sickened that Gould was ever around her child.
“She talks about him 24-7. And to say that he groomed these children is an understatement. They are obsessed with him,” Pearson said.
Pearson believes the school should have immediately contacted law enforcement after the initial complaint, rather than conducting its own review.
“I would like them to take some accountability. Instead of, you know, facing what happened, they deleted their Facebook. They’re not answering questions. They’re not speaking to the parents,” she said.
School’s response draws criticism
Beyond the arrest itself, parents at the protest are also pushing the school to allow girls to wear pants instead of skirts. The school responded with a letter saying girls may wear skorts or solid-color leggings underneath — but pants remain off-limits.
News 6 Community Correspondent Kayla Lewis emailed the principal four questions, including why Gould was allowed to return to the classroom after the initial complaint. The principal did not respond. When we called the school, a representative said the school had already issued a statement — the letter sent to parents last week informing them Gould was no longer allowed on campus.
Parents say that is not enough.
Pearson told News 6 she is considering pulling her daughter from the school. Other parents at the protest said they have already done so.
Gould is pleading not guilty and is scheduled to return to court on Dec. 1.
News 6 will continue to follow this case.