School Counselor's Sex Crime Arrest Investigations Prompts Actions At FCPS

LINCOLNIA, VA — Results of an independent investigation determined police failed to properly notify Fairfax County Public Schools about a school counselor's arrest. But the report also recommended human resources improvements at FCPS, as the school counselor remained employed after the arrest.

FCPS notified families about the final report of an independent by legal counsel into why Glasgow Middle School counselor Darren Thornton stayed employed. On Nov. 19, 2020, Thorton was arrested by Chesterfield County Police and charged with solicitation of prostitution from a minor. Thornton had been employed by Fairfax County Public Schools since August 2020.

Under Virginia law, law enforcement must file a report with the school division superintendent after a school division employee's arrest for a felony or Class 1 misdemeanor. As WJLA previously reported, Chesterfield Police tried to notify FCPS about Thornton's arrest and charge, but police told media the emails to school staff bounced back. Police did not know the emails weren't received until recently.

The investigation report concluded police failed to notify FCPS about the Nov. 19, 2020 arrest, and Chesterfield County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office did not notify FCPS about the conviction on Sept. 7, 2021.

FCPS became aware of the conviction as Chesterfield Police notified the school district about another incident. In June 2022, Thornton had been charged by Chesterfield Police with soliciting a prostitute and frequenting a bawdy place, according to WTOP. Chesterfield Police reached FCPS staff by phone after the arrest, WTOP reported. In August, Superintendent Michelle Reid announced Thornton's employment had been terminated after FCPS learned of his conviction.

"The School Board acted without delay once notified of the conviction and the Superintendent and School Board promptly initiated an independent, external investigation," FCPS said in its update on the Glasgow Middle School investigation. "FCPS has room for improvement in its Human Resources processes in the areas of hiring, licensure, leave, dismissal, and resignations. These have been exacerbated by factors such as significant leadership churn."

Based on the report, recommended actions the superintendent will take include working with legislators and law enforcement to ensure information sharing about employee arrests and convictions, improving its reference check process on prospective employees, improving licensure verification for employees, improving documentation and monitoring of employee absences and leaves, and promptly terminating the employment and seek license revocation petitions for employees convicted of barrier crimes.

Improvements to the reference check process will include additional steps like contact with the previous employer's central office, more documentation in support of the employee application, information sharing on personnel between jurisdictions and regular updates to background checks for current employees. Licensure verification will be bolstered for prospective employee, and current employees will have verification reports that their license remains in good standing. FCPS will also enroll in the FBI Rap Back program when it becomes available through the state.

Thornton appeared in court this week for the latest solicitation of a prostitute charge in Chesterfield County, according to WTVR. Prosecutors are seeking more charges related to allegedly not providing proper information for the sex offender registry.