Title: Recinding Termination of R. Scott

Recommendation:
I recommend that the School Board approve a change in discipline of Rutha G. Scott from termination to suspension without pay, with time served, for a total of 71 days (excluding weekends).

Description:

Rutha Scott, a teacher, worked for the District from August 1996 until her suspension and termination in May 2006.  Scott became the subject of a Professional Standards investigation on or about December 1, 2005.  She was located at Olympic Heights High School and was discharged for placing a student in a storage room for misbehaving during class and leaving the child there for a time estimated to be between ten (10) minutes as declared by Scott to fifty (50) minutes as declared by the student and another witness.  Students and Scott offered written statements about the incident.  While the student was inside of the storage room, Scott could not see or hear the student.  In addition, Scott locked the door to the storage room upon directing the student to stay inside of the room.   While the door to the storage room could be opened from the inside even if locked outside, the student was unaware of this. The Employee Investigation Committee concluded that these acts constituted a violation of Board policies and warranted dismissal.  Following Scott’s termination, the investigation continued and newly discovered evidence was uncovered to suggest that a suspension without pay, for 71 days, would be a better resolution of this matter.

Sufficient just cause exists for Scott to be disciplined pursuant to Sections 1012.22(1)(f) and 1012.27(5) Florida Statutes; Administrative Rules 6B-1.001 Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida; 6B-1.006 Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida; and 6B-4.009 Criteria for Suspension; Palm Beach County School District Policies 1.013 and 3.27, as well as Administrative Directive 3.27, and Article II, Section M(6) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the  Palm Beach County Classroom Teachers Association and the School Board of Palm Beach County, for violations of the foregoing.

12/01/05   Professional Standards was advised of allegations against Ms. Scott

03/28/06   Professional Standards investigation of Case #05/06-095 concluded

03/29/06    Pre-disciplinary meeting (PDM) was held.  Summary for the Record issued following PDM

04/13/06    Employee Investigation Committee (EIC) reviewed case, found the allegations substantiated and recommended discipline, i.e., termination

04/24/06    Chief Academic Officer (CAO) reviewed and concurred with recommended discipline 05/02/06. Ten (10) day notification of public record to employee per Florida Statute 1012.31

05/02/06   Superintendent’s letter of notification to employee

05/17/06  The School Board approves of the Superintendent’s recommendation of termination of Scott

Financial Impact:
N/A

For Additional Information, contact:

Gerald A. Williams, Chief Counsel

Sonia Hill, Senior Counsel - Personnel