August 1, 2025

Allegations Rock Local Charter Schools and Raise Safety Concerns

News Summary

Serious allegations against employees at local charter schools in Jacksonville have surfaced, leading to arrests and heightened concerns about student safety. Former dean James Tellis faces felony charges, while teacher Terri Baldwin is accused of child abuse. Both cases prompt investigations and emphasize the need for stringent safety protocols in educational environments. Schools are under pressure to ensure student protection amidst these troubling incidents.

Jacksonville – Serious allegations against employees at local charter schools have led to police investigations and arrests, raising concerns about safety and accountability within the educational environment. Two cases have emerged, involving a former dean and a teacher, both of whom are facing multiple charges related to the welfare of students.

James Tellis, a 27-year-old former dean at IDEA Jacksonville, has been arrested and charged with several felonies, including first-degree felony sexual battery and unlawful use of a two-way device. The allegations state that Tellis communicated with a preteen student from a different charter school on the Westside using Instagram, where he reportedly bribed the victim with food and other incentives prior to the sexual assault. The incident is said to have occurred sometime in March 2023 or 2024.

The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested Tellis after discovering he had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Following the alleged assault, Tellis attempted to maintain contact with the victim by sending them $45 through Cash App and trying to communicate about the incident about a week later. However, the victim chose not to stay in contact with Tellis and had not communicated with him for over two years after the incident.

IDEA Public Schools became aware of Tellis’s off-campus arrest on July 26 and responded by terminating him immediately. The school has expressed its commitment to student safety and stated there is no indication that the incident involved any student from their institution. Furthermore, IDEA is cooperating with law enforcement in the ongoing investigation.

As investigations unfold, the police suspect there may be more victims tied to Tellis, and they are encouraging anyone with additional information to come forward.

In a separate but related incident, Terri Baldwin, a 39-year-old teacher at IDEA River Bluff, was arrested on charges of child abuse and aggravated assault. Baldwin faces four counts of child abuse alongside one count of aggravated assault, with reports indicating that five victims and seven witnesses are connected to the case. Although many specifics about Baldwin’s alleged actions remain redacted, it has been reported that at least one victim was taken into a bathroom with her and emerged visibly distressed.

As with the case against Tellis, IDEA River Bluff took immediate action by terminating Baldwin following the incident and is collaborating with local authorities as investigations continue.

These troubling incidents have spotlighted ongoing concerns regarding safety protocols and accountability measures within schools. Both IDEA Public Schools and IDEA River Bluff emphasize that they conduct thorough background checks on employees to ensure the safety of students. In light of recent events, the importance of these checks has been magnified, and many parents and community members are likely questioning the measures currently in place to protect their children from potential harm.

As investigations progress, school districts are under increasing pressure to ensure that proper safeguards are implemented to prevent future incidents and build trust within the community.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Former Teacher Arrested on Sexual Assault Charges
Jacksonville School Teacher Arrested for Domestic Battery
Duval County Public Schools Achieves First ‘A’ Grade for Student Achievement
Schools in Duval County Achieve Historic A Grades
Duval County Schools Achieve Historic ‘A’ Grade in Florida Rankings
Duval County Public Schools Achieves Historic A Grade
School District Responds to Teacher’s Misconduct Incident
Substitute Teacher Arrested at School for Possessing Firearms
Florida Schools Face Controversy Over Mask Mandates
Major Developments Transforming Princeton in South Miami-Dade

Additional Resources

Author: STAFF HERE JACKSONVILLE WRITER

The JACKSONVILLE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREJacksonville.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Jacksonville, Duval County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Riverside Arts Market, and World of Nations Celebration. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and JAXUSA Partnership, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and entertainment that power the local economy such as CSX Corporation, Baptist Health, and VyStar Credit Union. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.

ADD MORE INFORMATION OR CONTRIBUTE TO OUR ARTICLE CLICK HERE!