The former principal of Fernandina Beach High School, who resigned after he admitted to stealing money from his own school earlier this year, is now working at Orange Park Performing Arts Academy, First Coast News learned on Tuesday. It is his third educator position since his resignation from the high school.
Dr. Spencer Lodree admitted to stealing $1,300 in January from the sale of tickets to a basketball game at Fernandina Beach High School due to financial troubles. He resigned in February.
Immediately after, Lodree was hired by Duval County Public Schools (DCPS) as the assistant principal of Northwestern Middle School. Once DCPS learned of Lodree's theft, he was fired. A spokesperson said Lodree didn't disclose why he left Fernandina Beach High School and that the order of events wasn't recorded in the Florida Department of Education systems, which tracks violations of professional standards.
READ MORE: Former Fernandina Beach HS principal fired from DCPS for not disclosing theft allegations
First Coast News reached out to the school and we learned that Lodree's first day was Tuesday. He was hired as the director of operations. The founder of the school, Dr. Alesia Ford-Burse, said the school was looking for someone with the right skill set.
Ford-Burse also said that Lodree was recommended by a DCPS board member. She said though they were unaware of DCPS's firing him, they were aware of the theft in Nassau County.
"We are a state of second chances," Ford-Burse said. "Why not give him a second chance?"
Ford-Burse also said the school did an extensive background check on Lodree before hiring him.