An anonymous tip led authorities to a loaded firearm inside the vehicle of Michael Smith, the new principal at a Jacksonville-area school who took over after his predecessor was arrested.
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Michael Smith has been removed from his role as principal of Baldwin Middle-Senior High School after a loaded gun was discovered in his vehicle on campus, Duval County Public Schools officials said Tuesday.
According to Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier, Duval County Schools Police received an anonymous report that a firearm could be inside Smith’s car. After Bernier directed police to investigate, Chief Short said officers found a loaded handgun secured in a holster inside the vehicle’s center console.
Smith received a criminal citation and was reassigned to duties away from the school while both a criminal investigation and an internal district inquiry continue.
“While there is no indication that this situation involved an intent to cause harm, firearms on school grounds are dangerous and illegal,” the district said in an email to teachers obtained by First Coast News.
Beginning Wednesday, three senior district leaders, including Bernier, will rotate through the campus as interim principals. The district said it will eventually begin a search for a permanent replacement.
Before launching that search, Bernier said officials want to speak with the Baldwin community about the hiring process.
Smith was named principal after the June arrest of Baldwin’s former leader, Michael Townsend.
Townsend was charged with failing to report suspected child abuse in connection with allegations involving James Mulvey, a former Baldwin teacher. The district told families that Townsend would resign effective June 30.
The arrest report states that Townsend knew about allegations that Mulvey was involved in an inappropriate relationship with a student. A teacher who raised the issue reportedly felt Townsend had “blown off” the concerns and did not take them seriously. Investigators wrote that school administrators are required to promptly report any “suspicions of child abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse.”
Townsend has not yet been arraigned.
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