JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Former employees of Icon Preparatory School in Jacksonville say they have been unable to file their 2025 federal income taxes because they have not received correct W-2 forms — and some say they have not received W-2s at all.
The concerns are part of an I-TEAM investigation into the K-8 private school on West 13th Street, which receives state scholarship dollars through Florida’s school voucher programs.
Former teachers also described problems they say they saw while working at the school, including alleged mold in classrooms and ongoing bathroom issues.
“Not what they were delivering,” former teacher says
Charis Sims, who said she started as a language arts teacher at Icon Preparatory School in 2024, told the I-TEAM she initially believed the school’s mission — which she described as modeled after high standards of historically Black colleges and universities.
But Sims said she soon felt the school was not meeting those expectations.
“For it to be a school that prides themselves on college preparatory values, I honestly do not feel like, at the end of the day, that it’s what they were delivering,” Sims said.
Former kindergarten teacher says she reported mold concerns
Tabri Chaplin, a former kindergarten teacher who said she started at the school in 2022, told News4JAX she was drawn in by what she saw online.
“If you look up the videos, it looks like something really cool to be a part of,” Chaplin said.
Over time, Chaplin said, she noticed issues she believed were not being properly managed.
Chaplin said there was mold in her classroom and that she repeatedly reported it to a supervisor. After she said she did not see action taken, Chaplin said she contacted the health department herself.
“I had kids in the class with asthma. They’re little kids; they’re five-year-olds,” she said.
Photos show bathroom conditions; former staff describe portable toilets
A former Icon employee, who did not want to be identified, provided News4JAX photos showing what appears to be excrement on the floor and walls of a bathroom.
Chaplin said the school brought in portable toilets for students to use.
She also described an incident in which she said a student fell into a portable toilet.
“There was actually an incident where a student fell into the porta potty and had human waste all over them,” Chaplin said. “And they got sent back to class in those clothes.”
W-2 problems: “Grossly inaccurate,” former employee says
Several former employees told the I-TEAM they have not been able to file taxes because of problems with their W-2 forms.
Under federal rules, employers are generally required to provide W-2 forms to employees by Jan. 31.
Chaplin said the W-2 she received was inaccurate.
According to documents shown to the I-Team, Chaplin said her W-2 reported $1,768 in wages — while she said she earned more than $47,000 at the school — a difference of more than $45,000.
The IRS warns that filing late or failing to file can lead to interest or penalties, depending on the situation.
School founder cites “unforeseen delays” during payroll transition
News4JAX went to Icon Preparatory School in Jacksonville. The school also has a sister campus in Tampa.
The founder, Dr. Dwayne Raiford, is based in Tampa and responded to the I-TEAM’s questions by email.
Regarding the W-2 delays, Raiford wrote that the school transitioned to “an external payroll provider,” which he said, “resulted in unforeseen delays.” He added, “We apologize to our team members.”
On facility concerns, Raiford said the school “prioritizes responsiveness” and that issues are “typically resolved within 24 hours.”
Millions in vouchers, but little state oversight
Icon Preparatory School is a tax-exempt organization.
The I-TEAM obtained the most recent tax records available and found that, for the 2023-2024 tax year, Icon Prep reported receiving $2.7 million from Step Up For Students, the organization that administers state scholarship programs. Those scholarships allow families to use state dollars to help pay for private education.
Even though public funds are used for some private school scholarships, Florida’s Department of Education notes on its website that private schools are not regulated the same way public schools are.
The state website states: “Private elementary and secondary schools in Florida are not licensed, approved, accredited, or regulated by the Florida Department of Education.”
Dr. Diana Greene, who served as superintendent of Duval County Public Schools for five years and has worked in education for decades, told News4Jax that private schools do not have the same accountability measures as public schools.
“Private schools do not have any of the accountability measures that are in place for public schools,” Greene said.
Greene said she supports families choosing the best school for their children but said any school must be managed with strong financial oversight.
“It was very important that you have a strong chief financial officer… a strong bookkeeper,” Greene said. “And if those positions aren’t filled with people who have the expertise… that’s when you start to have problems.”
Former teachers say they’re still waiting; worry about students
Chaplin and Sims told the I-Team they are still waiting for corrected tax documents and accountability.
“There’s nobody to call. Our entire foundation is… self-governed, so it’s not like we can call the Board of Education, DCPS, nothing,” she said.
Sims said she hopes the focus stays on students.
“At the end of the day, it’s about our children,” Sims said.
Editor’s note: This story is based on former employee interviews, documents shown to News4JAX, and emailed responses from the school’s founder.
We have requested additional records and will update this story as more information becomes available.