Titusville, FL – May 4, 2025 – Park Avenue Christian Academy (PACA) in Titusville, Florida, is facing intense scrutiny after it was revealed that a registered sex offender, Colby R. Ammons, was contracted to perform maintenance work on the school’s football field. The situation, brought to light by concerned parent Brittany Nicole Stevens on a Facebook post dated yesterday, has sparked widespread outrage among parents and the community over child safety, transparency, and adherence to Florida law. Headmaster Brian McKinney’s defense of Ammons has further fueled criticism of the school’s leadership.
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The Incident and Initial Response
Stevens discovered Ammons working on the school grounds while picking up her children and, upon learning he was a registered sex offender, confronted him. Ammons admitted to his past but claimed he was there to fertilize the football field. Stevens then escalated her concerns to the school administration, leading to a meeting on March 24, 2025, with PACA administrators. During this meeting, administrators initially downplayed the severity of Ammons’ offense, stating that the incident occurred when he was 21 and the victim was 17—a claim later proven false by court documents.
According to an arrest affidavit from the Polk County Clerk of Courts, Ammons was arrested on July 23, 2007, for soliciting a minor and attempting to seduce a child via the internet. The documents reveal that Ammons, then 23, engaged in explicit conversations with an undercover officer posing as a 14-year-old. He then tried to meet up with the child for sexual activity. He was convicted of solicitation of a minor and attempted lewd battery on a child, charges that required him to register as a sex offender for life.
Following Stevens’ inquiry, PACA’s School Council and Park Avenue Baptist Church (PABC) Elders issued a statement on March 31, 2025, acknowledging that Ammons was a contractor performing outdoor field work. They initially defended his presence, claiming his sex offender status from an incident 18 years prior did not prohibit him from working on school property and that he had no direct contact with students. However, they also stated that Ammons would no longer provide services for the Academy, a decision made after public outcry.
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Community Reaction and Further Revelations
Stevens’ Facebook post, which included the arrest affidavit and subsequent comments from the community, garnered significant attention. Many parents expressed outrage, with comments like, “How could they do this? I am so disgusted,” from Haleigh Mounger, and “He should not ever be around children,” from Allison McMahon. Others, such as Christy Morris, alleged that the school had known about Ammons’ record for nearly three years, contradicting the administration’s claim of recent discovery.
Additional comments revealed that Ammons was arrested again a few weeks ago for failing to register trailers as a sex offender and for not reporting his job at PACA, further fueling concerns about his compliance with registration requirements. Toni Leigh Peterson noted, “It’s a child sex offender going through many loops to hide the fact he works at a school around kids that he’s proven to be not trusted around.”
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Headmaster Brian McKinney, who also serves as a PABC administrator, defended Ammons, stating, “He is a contracted helper… A born-again believer who has rehabbed his character through Christian-based counseling.” McKinney emphasized that Ammons worked under supervision and never with children present, and that the school was secure with a full-time SRO (School Resource Officer). This defense, coming from the headmaster, has raised questions about his leadership and decision-making, especially given the legal implications.
Florida Law and Violations
Under Florida law, specifically the Jessica Lunsford Act, sex offenders are subject to strict regulations regarding their proximity to children. The Act, expanded in 2023 to include private schools receiving state funds (which PACA does), prohibits registered sex offenders from working on school grounds or in any capacity involving direct contact with minors. Additionally, Florida statutes mandate that sex offenders cannot live or work within 1,000 feet of a school, park, or other place where children congregate, with violations constituting a third-degree felony.
Ammons’ presence on PACA’s campus, even as a contractor, appears to violate these laws. Matt Johnson commented, “Florida state statutes supersede what a church thinks… It is spelled out clearly in the law!” The designation of Ammons as a “contractor” rather than an employee does not exempt him from these restrictions, as the Jessica Lunsford Act explicitly requires background checks for contractors working on school grounds. Shelly Shabdue added, “Sexual predators are aware of this. Hence why he was a contractor for YEARS. He used faith to appear as a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
The school’s initial claim that Ammons’ status did not prohibit him from working on the property directly contradicts Florida law. Furthermore, allegations that the school paid Ammons under the table or via a school credit card to circumvent background checks, as mentioned by Denise Fontaine and Stevens, suggest potential intentional negligence by the administration, including McKinney as headmaster.
School’s Defense and Community Divide
McKinney’s defense of Ammons has been met with skepticism. McKinney replied, “I am sorry you do not feel your child(ren) would be protected here from a person who does not even come on campus during school hours.” Sierra Silva, a PACA parent and staff member, also defended the administration, stating, “Dr. Mac has followed procedures required by law and policy while extending grace where he believed redemption had taken place.” She argued that publicly shaming the school divides the community and that concerns should be addressed through appropriate channels rather than social media.
However, the majority of the community sided with Stevens, with comments like, “Sex offenders have no reason to be around children, PERIOD,” from Ashleigh McBryde, and “The school should’ve held the children’s safety above the individual they hired,” from Carina Conaway. Some community members speculated about Dr. Mac’s departure, with Kim Carter Morrison noting, “The situation has been resolved and Dr. Mac has resigned,” though this has not been officially confirmed. McKinney’s continued role as headmaster amid this controversy has intensified calls for accountability.
Legal and Ethical Implications
Ammons’ employment at PACA, whether as a contractor or employee, violated Florida law due to his status as a registered sex offender. The distinction of being a contractor is irrelevant under the Jessica Lunsford Act, which mandates background checks for all individuals working on school grounds. His failure to report his job at PACA, as noted in his recent arrest, further compounds the legal violations. McKinney’s defense, as headmaster, raises questions about whether he knowingly overlooked these legal requirements.
Ethically, the school’s decision to allow Ammons to work on campus, especially without informing parents, has been widely criticized. The administration’s initial misrepresentation of the victim’s age and the incident’s severity, as well as their failure to conduct proper background checks, has eroded trust. Wes McKuhen suggested a class-action lawsuit against the school, stating, “They put any and all kids at risk with this kind of behavior and decision-making.”
Moving Forward
The incident has prompted calls for greater transparency and stricter adherence to safety protocols at PACA. Stevens clarified that her intention was not to slander but to hold the school accountable, citing Matthew 18:15-17, which encourages Christians to address wrongdoing within the community. She welcomed prayers and emphasized the need for awareness, a sentiment echoed by many parents who thanked her for speaking out.
The situation has also highlighted broader issues about the safety of private schools, with Shelly Shabdue noting, “The thought of better safety with a private school is all smoke and mirrors.” As the PACA community grapples with the fallout, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of prioritizing child safety over second chances, especially when it comes to registered sex offenders. McKinney’s role as headmaster amid this scandal may face further scrutiny as parents demand answers.
For now, parents like Stevens continue to advocate for their children, with many calling for systemic changes to ensure such oversights do not happen again. The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office has been tagged in discussions, and some parents are urging an investigation into the school’s hiring practices to determine if further legal action is warranted.
