The head of a private school in Coral Springs was arrested Monday, April 17, 2023, for alleged sexual misconduct with a teen student. Tracy Smith, 43, faces one count of soliciting and engaging in sexual conduct by an authority figure. According to media reports, Smith, the head of the Coral Springs campus of Xceed Preparatory Academy, located at 3301 N. University Drive in Coral Springs. was arrested in the parking lot of the school. Following her arrest, Smith, a mother of three, was fired from her position at the school. Smith was released on a $25,000 bond and ordered not to have any contact with the victim, not to return to the school, and not to have contact with any minors other than family members.
The arrest came after a tenth-grade male student told investigators that beginning in October 2022, he requested assistance in his studies and began to take tests in the principal's office. The teen stated that he would spend all day in Smith's office studying and that he and Smith began discussing family issues, started texting, and "became close on a personal level," the report said. Then things took a turn when she allegedly began touching him inappropriately, and he started to feel their relationship "crossed the line." The student said Smith began touching his leg with her leg, which progressed to her touching his leg with her hand and him running his hand up and down her leg.
He said they started communicating through text and Snapchat and that it included some "intimate talk," but Smith later asked him to delete the messages, the report said. The teen student said he also sent Smith pictures of him without a shirt on, and she sent him pictures in which she was clothed in return. At one point, Smith allegedly made a comment to him about oral sex, the report said.
A school representative released a statement that said they were shocked by the allegations and that Smith had been fired.
"The allegations resulting in Ms. Smith's arrest yesterday came as a complete shock to everyone at the school. The school and its staff will cooperate with law enforcement in every way possible. A safe learning environment is paramount at XCEED - with no exceptions," the statement read.
Smith's now deleted online bio on the school's website, which serves students from grades 6-12, once said she enjoys "connections with students, faculty, and families." Smith has 20 years of experience as an educator and is the president of the non-profit Smith Smiles, which delivers toys to children in the hospital.
Schools are educational institutions in which children should be able to learn and develop skills in a nurturing environment. It is expected that they are safe from violence, bullying, harassment, and sexual abuse. Teachers and coaches are entrusted to facilitate learning and support the educational needs of their students. Someone who sexually violates young children has no place working in the school system. Any school where such a crime is committed should take responsibility if they fail to properly screen potential teachers and protect their students.
Horowitz Law is a law firm representing victims and survivors of sexual abuse in schools and other educational settings. If you or a loved one was sexually abused, raped, or sexually molested by a principal, teacher, or another school employee, contact our law firm at 888-283-9922 or e-mail sexual abuse lawyer Adam Horowitz, at adam@adamhorowitzlaw.com for a free consultation.