Suspended teacher won't face sex charge

Prosecutors dismiss the charge. But the district will not renew the Tarpon Springs teacher's contract.

By WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 13, 2002

TARPON SPRINGS -- Prosecutors have dismissed a felony charge against a suspended Tarpon Springs High School teacher accused of sexual battery on a 17-year-old student.

Michael Grayer, 30, of Clearwater, was charged in January with sexual battery after a female student complained about being touched inappropriately in Grayer's office on Jan. 14 and 15.

At a news conference organized by his attorney at the criminal courthouse on Friday, Grayer stood beside his 9-year-old daughter, Alexis, and told reporters he wanted to put his life back together and begin teaching again.

"I'm hurt," said Grayer, who had been free on $10,000 bail. "I'm just leaving it in God's hands and hope that people understand that I was accused and arrested on false allegations. I hope people will understand that I am a good guy."

Prosecutors did not return calls about their decision to file a "no information" in the case on June 28, which dismissed the case. A document filed with the court said their investigation concluded "that the facts and circumstances revealed do not warrant prosecution at this time."

The Sheriff's Office, which initially charged Grayer and referred the case to prosecutors, declined to discuss its investigation.

If Grayer hopes to teach again, he will have to do so outside Pinellas. School district officials say they have no plans to allow Grayer back into the classroom.

Grayer is officially suspended without pay. But Jackie Bircher, an attorney for the school district, said administrators have decided they will not renew his contract. Teachers who have worked for the school district less than three years have no guarantee their contracts will be renewed year to year.

As long as the district doesn't discriminate against a teacher because of race, gender or religion, a teacher can be let go for almost any reason, Bircher said.

Bircher said a district investigation has uncovered other allegations against Grayer that, while not criminal in nature, call into question his fitness to be a teacher. Among those are allegations that he has made flirtatious comments to female students, Bircher said.

"From the School Board's perspective, those kind of things matter," she said.

Grayer denies allegations of any inappropriate behavior.

In late August, an administrative hearing is scheduled to determine whether Grayer is due back pay for the time under his contract when he was suspended. If he wins, Grayer might be due up to $3,000, Bircher said.

Grayer was hired by the Pinellas County School District in August 2000 and taught at Dixie Hollins High School in St. Petersburg, where he also acted as coach of the boy's junior varsity basketball team.

Grayer later transferred to Tarpon High School. He taught social studies in the GOALS program, which stands for Graduation Options -- Alternatives to Leaving School. It is a dropout prevention program for unmotivated students who have fallen behind.

Grayer also coached the boy's varsity basketball team until he resigned 12 games into the season on Jan. 10 for personal reasons. The Spongers were 1-11 at the time.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright