Title: PS1-PERSONNEL DISCIPLINARY ACTION

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve Rutha G. Scott's Suspension Without Pay, effective May 18, 2006, and Termination, effective fifteen (15) days after the May 17, 2006 Board Meeting, subject only to appeal under Section 120.68, Florida Statutes, unless a timely request for an administrative hearing is made within the fifteen (15) days stated herein pursuant to Section 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, wherein Ms. Scott will remain suspended without payment of salary and benefits until final School Board disposition is entered to the administrative hearing proceedings.

Description:

On or about December 1, 2005, Ms. Scott became the subject of a Professional Standards investigation into allegations that on that date, during testing in her Business Systems and Technology class, she placed a student into a windowless, unventilated closet that she unlocked to admit the student and locked behind the student after he entered and was seated on a chair.  The student remained in the closet for a time estimated to be between ten (10) minutes by Ms. Scott and approximately fifty (50) minutes by the student and other witnesses.  During that time, Ms. Scott could not see the student and could not monitor his well-being.  Although it was later determined that the door to the storage closet could be opened from inside without a key, the student having heard Ms. Scott use her key to lock the door, indicated he was unaware of this and did not try to exit the closet.  At the conclusion of the investigation, the allegations of inappropriate interaction with a student and failure to safeguard a student were sustained.

Financial Impact:
There is no financial impact to the school district.

For Additional Information, contact:
Ann Killets (akillets@palmbeach.k12.fl.us.); Melinda Wong, Ray Miller (Personnel/Prof.Standards)

Attachments (list):
S-Scott, RG Executive Summary, Superintendent Letter 05.pdf
Q&APS1.doc