Palm Beach County Schools To Fire Two Employees, Bar Convicted Teacher

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A former Watson B. Duncan Middle School math teacher now serving prison time for sex crimes involving a child is about to be permanently barred from Florida classrooms. The School Board of Palm Beach County takes up his case Wednesday, October 14, along with the firings of two other district employees. All three items sit on the consent agenda, meaning they are expected to pass without discussion.

Christopher Withers taught math to sixth through eighth graders at Duncan Middle from August 2017 until April 24, 2025. He was arrested March 31, 2025, and charged with 15 counts of lewd or lascivious battery on a victim between 12 and 16 years old, plus one count of using a child in a sexual performance. According to the district’s proposed Final Order, the offenses happened between April 2021 and April 2023, while he was a district employee. Withers pleaded guilty to every count on September 14, 2026. He was sentenced to 10 years in state prison, will be designated a sexual offender, and faces five years of probation. He also had to surrender his Florida Educator Certificate for permanent revocation.

The order sends his name to the Florida Department of Education for its Disqualification List. Anyone on that list cannot work, or even apply to work, as an employee or contractor at a public school or at any private school taking part in a state scholarship program. Knowingly violating that ban is a third-degree felony.

Superintendent Michael J. Burke is also recommending the termination of Christopher Obszarny, a middle school science teacher. The district’s Office of Professional Standards opened an investigation on or about August 10, 2026, into allegations that Obszarny violated the district’s Drug-and-Alcohol-Free Workplace policy and failed to exercise best professional judgment. Investigators substantiated both allegations. Burke’s September 30 notice to Obszarny, which was copied to the principal of Carver Middle School, calls for a 15-day unpaid suspension starting October 15 and termination effective October 29. Obszarny has until October 28 to appeal through a union grievance or a state administrative hearing.

The third employee, Rubin Dejadin, also faces termination effective October 29. Professional Standards began investigating Dejadin on or about July 30, 2026, over allegations of inappropriate physical contact with a student, failure to follow policies and procedures, and failure to exercise best professional judgment. All three allegations were substantiated, according to the board agenda item. The district’s documents do not describe the contact or identify Dejadin’s school, and the termination remains subject to appeal under state law and the Classroom Teachers Association contract.

Findings in school district administrative investigations are not criminal convictions, and employees facing termination have the right to appeal. Anyone charged with a crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. To report an inaccuracy, email clarification@bocanewsnow.com.