Two leaders tied to Pinecrest Lakes Academy, Christina Alcalde and Jennifer Jimenez, were arrested last weekend on DUI-related offenses and booked into the Lake County Jail. Clermont police say both women appeared intoxicated after riding in the same vehicle early Sunday, and officers later stopped Alcalde again while she was driving a different car. The back-to-back arrests have rattled some families whose children attend the Minneola-area charter school.
How Police Say The Night Unraveled
According to WKMG ClickOrlando, arrest affidavits state the two women were in the same vehicle early Sunday when officers encountered them and noted that both appeared intoxicated. The station reports that Jimenez, who was behind the wheel, was arrested at that initial stop, and officers later pulled over Alcalde hours after the first encounter, ultimately taking both women to the Lake County Jail. Police told the outlet that each woman identified herself as a principal at Pinecrest Lakes Academy.
School Roles And Public Records
The Pinecrest Lakes Academy website lists Christina Alcalde as the school’s principal, and recent school documents show Jennifer Jimenez in roles described as vice principal or lead teacher. Per Pinecrest Lakes Academy materials, the charter operates at 14012 Old Highway 50 in Minneola, where Alcalde’s principal message is posted for families and staff.
What State Rules Allow Regulators To Do
State rules authorize the Education Practices Commission and the Department of Education to investigate and discipline certified educators, including suspending or revoking certificates in cases of misconduct. As outlined by the Florida Senate, a conviction or certain admissions can trigger disciplinary action and affect a person’s ability to hold a Florida educator certificate.
Reporting Misconduct And Student-Safety Language
School documents list Alcalde as a contact for reporting professional misconduct, a role that may draw extra attention as families watch how the charter handles the situation. The school’s reporting page notes that failing to report misconduct can result in termination and potential revocation of an educator’s certificate, language meant to underscore student safety. That guidance appears on internal pages directed to Pinecrest staff and families.
School Silence And What Comes Next
WKMG ClickOrlando reports that its journalists called and emailed the school for comment and were told staff did not have time to speak. As of Friday evening, the school had not released any public statement. Clermont police have also not issued a full public release with booking details beyond the arrest affidavits described by the station.
