ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. --The St. Johns County substitute teacher who was arrested for possession of obscene material, has been fired. The St. Johns County School Board met Tuesday morning to vote on his termination.
Matthew Atkinson was arrested Friday by the St. Johns County Sheriffs office for allegedly possessing obscene material. He was hired by the school district last Tuesday and worked a total of four days at three different schools.
According to the St. Johns County Sheriffs office, the investigation of Atkinson's behavior actually started long before he was hired.
The school district says they didn't know Atkinson was being investigated when he was hired. They say he passed all the requirements necessary to become a substitute teacher.
Superintendent Joseph Joyner says he took swift action the second they found out about Atkinson's arrest. "We were notified right away. He was pulled immediately from school and when he was arrested, I immediately notified the board and told them I'd be making a recommendation this morning for his immediate termination."
Atkinson was released Saturday on bond. He's facing five charges for possessing obscene material.
