07-000797TTS Lake County School Board vs. Paul Ogles
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Tuesday, June 12, 2007.


View Dockets  
Summary: Respondent did not demonstrate a violation of Petitioner`s policy or misconduct in office by harassment based on race of a co-worker.

1Case No. 07-0797

4STATE OF FLORIDA

7DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

11LAKE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) ) )

25Petitioner, RECOMMENDED ORDER

28vs.

29PAUL OGLES,

31Respondent.

32On April 5, 2007, a hearing was held in Leesburg, Florida,

43pursuant to the authority set forth in Sections 120.569 and

53120.57(1), Florida Statutes. The case was considered by Lisa

62Shearer Nelson, Administrative Law Judge.

67APPEARANCES

68For Petitioner: Stephen W. Johnson, Esquire

74McLin & Burnsed, P.A.

78Post Office Box 491357

82Leesburg, Florida 34749-1357

85For Respondent: Mary F. Aspros, Esquire

91Meyer and Brooks, P.A.

952544 Blairstone Pines Drive

99Tallahassee, Florida 32302

102STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

106Whether Respondent violated Lake County School Board Policy

1142.71 as described in letters from the Lake County Superintendent

124of Schools dated January 2, 2007, and January 7, 2007, and if so,

137what penalty should be imposed.

142PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

144By letters dated January 2, 2007, and January 7, 2007, the

155Superintendent of the Lake County School District notified Paul

164Ogles that he was accused of violating School Board Policy 2.71,

175and as a result he was reprimanded, suspended for five days

186without pay, and directed to received cultural sensitivity

194training. Mr. Ogles disputed the allegations in the complaint

203letters and requested a hearing pursuant to Section 120.57(1),

212Florida Statutes. On February 13, 2007, the matter was referred

222to the Division of Administrative Hearings and on February 15,

2322007, the matter was assigned to the undersigned.

240A Notice of Hearing was issued scheduling the case to be

251heard April 5, 2007, and the case proceeded as scheduled. At

262hearing, Petitioner presented the testimony of five witnesses,

270including Respondent, and Petitioner's Exhibits numbered 1

277through 9 were admitted into evidence. Respondent testified on

286his own behalf, presented the testimony of two additional

295witnesses, and Respondent's Exhibits numbered 1 and 2 were

304admitted into evidence.

307A transcript of the proceedings was filed with the Division

317on April 18, 2007. At the request of Respondent, the parties

328were given until May 21, 2007, to filed their proposed

338recommended orders. Both submissions were timely filed and have

347been carefully considered in the preparation of this Recommended

356Order.

357FINDINGS OF FACT

3601. The School Board of Lake County is the corporate body

371politic responsible for the administration of schools within the

380Lake County School District.

3842. At all times material to this proceeding, Paul Ogles was

395employed as an English/speech teacher at the Curtright Center of

405Eustis High School in the Lake County School District.

414Mr. Ogles, a Caucasian male, has been employed as a teacher for

426the District for nine years.

4313. At all times material to this proceeding, Ms. Bernetta

441McNealy, an African-American woman, was employed as a teacher at

451the Curtright Center of Eustis High School. Ms. McNealy's

460classroom is adjacent to Mr. Ogles' classroom.

4674. During the 2005-2006 school year, Ms. Tess Rogers was an

478assistant principal at Eustis High School and one of Mr. Ogles'

489supervisors. Mr. Michael Elchenko was Principal at Eustis High

498School during this time, and Ms. Rebecca Nelsen was the Director

509of Compensation and Employee Relations for Lake County School

518District.

5195. Mr. Ogles' first teaching position was as a teaching

529assistant with Project Outward Bound at Morris Brown College, a

539historically black college in Atlanta, where he prepared high

548school students for college. Mr. Ogles returned to teaching

557twenty years later after running his own textbook company.

5666. Mr. Ogles has received excellent evaluations during his

575employment by the Lake County School District. Once a teacher

585receives a rating or twelve (the highest rating possible) for two

596consecutive years, the educator may choose to participate in a

606PG-13 Appraisal of Professional Growth/Career Development instead

613of receiving the normal educator evaluation. Mr. Ogles qualified

622for this type of evaluation and successfully participated in the

632PG-13 appraisal process for several years.

6387. Mr. Ogles has sponsored or assisted with many school

648organizations such as the Beta Club; the Chess Club; the Key

659Club; the High Q Club; and the Speech and Debate Club. He used

672personal funds to support the students' activities, including

680paying $300.00 to rent a bus so students could attend a

691competition.

6928. Mr. Ogles was one of two Team Leaders on campus and in

705that capacity worked with the assistant principal to try to

715upgrade the quality of the school and to increase interaction

725between students and teachers. He also volunteered for bus duty

735before and after school.

7399. While performing bus duty, it was often Mr. Ogles'

749responsibility to enforce the school's dress code as students

758arrived on campus. Eustis High School has a policy of

768prohibiting students from wearing clothing with symbols or

776messages that may be considered disruptive to the learning

785environment. Students are not necessarily disciplined for

792wearing such clothing, but are requested to remove the offensive

802clothing, turn it inside out so as to hide the offensive message,

814put other clothing on over it or call home to have alternate

826clothing provided.

82810. The Confederate flag is one such symbol that is not

839allowed to be displayed on clothing worn to school. Dixie

849Outfitters is a line of clothing that sometimes bears the

859Confederate flag. Mr. Ogles was aware that the school policy

869forbade the wearing of the Confederate flag and he often was

880involved in enforcing the policy against students wearing the

889symbol.

89011. On or about May 19, 2006, Mr. Ogles was using his

902computer to search for project ideas for the following year while

913his students were taking a test. He was looking at a website

925called www.cagle.com, a political website from which he has

934gotten cartoons in the past. Several cartoons from this website

944are posted in his classroom, and there was no evidence presented

955to indicate that anyone had ever complained about their display.

96512. While viewing the website, he saw a cartoon that

975depicted a Confederate flag. However, instead of the traditional

"984stars and bars," the cartoon showed black arms crossed, with

994stars imprinted on them. The hands were extended beyond the

1004flag, with the wrists shackled. The cartoon was originally

1013published in approximately 2000, as a means of protesting the

1023consideration by several southern states to display the

1031Confederate flag at state buildings.

103613. When Mr. Ogles first saw the cartoon, he thought that

1047it was "strong art" depicting the Confederate flag as a symbol of

1059racism.

106014. In between classes, he showed the cartoon to

1069Ms. McNealy. He asked her if she was familiar with students

1080wearing Dixie Outfitters clothing. She indicated she was not.

1089He stated that perhaps this cartoon could be placed on a new line

1102of clothing for black students to wear in response to the

"1113heritage" argument white students used to defend the wearing of

1123the Confederate flag.

112615. The conversation was very short, as the bell was

1136ringing for the next class to begin. Ms. McNealy did not respond

1148to Mr. Ogles or give him any indication that she was offended or

1161bothered in any way. There is also no evidence that she ever

1173discussed her feelings about the cartoon with Mr. Ogles at any

1184later time. Mr. Ogles testified, and his testimony is credited,

1194that he believed that because the cartoon advocated a position

1204against the display of the Confederate flag, that it would

1214support what he believed to be Ms. McNealy's position on this

1225issue. It is his view that African-Americans have as much

1235ownership of the Confederate flag as anyone else, and should be

1246able to use the image to express their views.

125516. While Ms. McNealy did not tell Mr. Ogles that she was

1267offended by the cartoon, she did make her feelings known to

1278Ms. Rogers, the assistant principal and Michael Rivers, a

1287guidance counselor at the Curtwright Center, almost immediately.

1295Ms. Rogers is Caucasian and Mr. Rivers is African-American. Both

1305found the cartoon to be offensive.

131117. After speaking with Ms. Rogers and Mr. Rivers,

1320Ms. McNealy left campus for the day. About an hour after he

1332showed Ms. McNealy the cartoon, he was asked to come to the

1344office and was informed by Ms. Rogers and Mr. Jones, another

1355administrator, that Ms. McNealy was upset about the cartoon and

1365had left campus.

136818. Mr. Ogles did not realize that Ms. McNealy would be

1379offended by the cartoon and had he realized she would be

1390offended, he would not have shown it to her.

139919. On May 22, 2006, Mr. Elchenko, the Principal of Eustis

1410High School received a written complaint from Ms. McNealy about

1420Mr. Ogles' showing her the cartoon. 1/ Mr. Elchenko determined

1430Mr. Ogles' conduct to be unprofessional and issued a

1439Professional/Personal Action Report Relating to Work Experience

1446(Appraisal II form) and Prescription/Assistance Form to

1453Mr. Ogles. Both documents directed him to stop giving materials

1463to co-workers that could be considered offensive. Mr. Ogles has

1473complied with these directives.

147720. After Mr. Elchenko completed his investigation,

1484Mr. Elchenko reported the allegations to the School Board's

1493District office because he believed the allegations in

1501Ms. McNealy's complaint rose to the level of racial harassment.

1511Rebecca Nelsen conducted an investigation on behalf of the School

1521District.

152221. Mr. Ogles was reassigned from his teaching position at

1532Eustis High School to the County Copy Center by letter dated

1543July 17, 2006, and remains in that placement today.

155222. Ms. Nelsen determined that Mr. Ogles' conduct created

1561an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment on the

1570basis of race, which is prohibited by School Board policy.

1580Ms. Nelsen recommended to the Superintendent that Mr. Ogles'

1589employment be terminated. A separate investigation was conducted

1597for the School Board by a private entity called the Robert Lewis

1609Group. The findings and recommendations of that investigation

1617are not part of this record.

162323. By letter from the Superintendent dated January 2,

16322007, Mr. Ogles was suspended without pay for the period from

1643January 8, 2007 through January 12, 2007, and was directed to

1654receive cultural sensitivity training for violating School Policy

16622.71. There is no evidence submitted to indicate that the

1672Superintendent's decision was approved or ratified by the Lake

1681County School Board.

168424. Mr. Ogles served his period of suspension and

1693successfully completed cultural diversity training. Before this

1700incident, Mr. Ogles had never been accused of making any

1710appropriate racial remarks and was not considered to be a racist

1721individual. He had expressed the view that racism should hold no

1732place in education. His principal did not question his

1741competence as an educator.

1745CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

174825. The Division of Administrative Hearings has

1755jurisdiction over the subject matter and the parties to this

1765action in accordance with Sections 120.569 and 120.57(1), Florida

1774Statutes.

177526. The Lake County School Board is the duly constituted

1785governing body of the School District of Lake County. § 4, Art.

1797IX, Fla. Const.; §§ 1001.30 and 1001.33, Fla. Stat. A district

1808school board has the statutory authority to adopt rules governing

1818personnel matters pursuant to Sections 1001.42(5), 1012.22(1) and

18261012.23, Florida Statutes (2006).

183027. In Florida, the school superintendent has the authority

1839to make recommendations for dismissal of school board employees,

1848and the school board has the authority to suspend school board

1859instructional staff with professional service contracts for "just

1867cause." §§ 1001.42(5); 1012.22(1)(f); and 1012.33(6)(a), Fla.

1874Stat. (2006). A superintendent also has the power to suspend

1884instructional staff and other employees "during emergencies for a

1893period extending to and including the day of the next regular or

1905special meeting of the district school board and notify the

1915district school board immediately of such suspension."

1922§ 1012.27(5), Fla. Stat.

192628. Just cause is defined to include misconduct in office.

1936§ 1012.33(1)(a), Fla. Stat. (2006). Moreover, Florida

1943Administrative Code Rule 6B-4.009 identifies the criteria

1950necessary for suspension or dismissal of instructional personnel.

1958The Rule provides in pertinent part:

1964(3) Misconduct in office is defined as a

1972violation of the Code of Ethics of the

1980Education Profession as adopted in Rule

19866B-1.001, F.A.C., and the Principles of

1992Professional Conduct for the Education

1997Profession in Florida as adopted in Rule

20046B-1.006, F.A.C., which is so serious as to

2012impair the individual's effectiveness in the

2018school system.

202028. Petitioner bears the burden to prove the charges

2029against Respondent by a preponderance of the evidence. Allen v.

2039School Board of Dade County , 571 So. 2d 568 (Fla. 3d DCA 1990);

2052Dileo v. School Board of Dade County , 569 So. 2d 883 (Fla. 3d DCA

20661990).

206729. The letter of January 2, 2007, which outlines the basis

2078for the school district's action against Mr. Ogles, states in

2088pertinent part:

2090The district has concluded its investigation

2096into a formal racial harassment complaint

2102from one of your co-workers. It has been

2110determined that you violated School Board

2116policy 2.71, Prohibition of Harassment.

2121* * *

2124Based on the above finding and in accordance 2/

2133with Florida Statutes 1012.27(6) 3/ and School

2140Board policy 6.38, I hereby suspend you

2147without pay for five (5) school days

2154beginning January 8, 2007 and extending

2160through January 12, 2007, I further direct

2167you to receive cultural sensitivity training

2173through the district's Employee Assistance

2178Program. (Quotation of Policy omitted).

218330. The January 2, 2007, contains no allegations of facts,

2193other than the reference to a complaint from a co-worker. The

2204January 2, 2007, letter was followed by a letter dated January 7,

22162007, which stated:

2219This written reprimand is to put you on

2227notice of your violation of School Board

2234Policy 2.71 on May 19, 2006, when you handed

2243a cartoon depicting black arms shackled at

2250the wrist extending from the Confederate flag

2257to a co-worker. The district conducted an

2264investigation, following the co-worker's

2268filing of a formal complaint alleging racial

2275harassment. The investigation found that

2280your actions had the effect of racially

2287harassing your co-worker.

2290Your plan of correction is to refrain from

2298any conversation, gestures, distribution of

2303graphic material or any conduct relating to

2310an individual's race, color, religion, sex,

2316gender, age, national or ethnic origin,

2322marital/family status, qualified handicap or

2327disability or social and family background

2333that may be found offensive. In addition,

2340you are to complete a cultural diversity

2347training as provided by the district's

2353Employee Assistance Program.

235631. Respondent may only be disciplined for matters alleged

2365in the charging documents provided to himevisani v.

2373Department of Health , 908 So. 2d 1108 (Fla. 1st DCA 2005);

2384Cottrill v. Department of Insurance , 685 So. 2d 1371 (Fla. 1st

2395DCA 1996)(reference to the statute without supporting factual

2403allegations not sufficient to place respondent on notice of the

2413charges against him); Jacker v. School Board of Dade County , 426

2424So. 2d 1149, 1151 (Fla. 3d DCA 1983)(Jorgenson, J., concurring).

2434Thus in this case, the only conduct that is at issue is the

2447conduct identified in the January 7, 2007 letter to Mr. Ogles:

2458handing the cartoon described in Finding of Fact number 12 to a

2470co-worker, which an investigation found had the effect of

2479racially harassing that co-worker.

248332. In order to prevail, Petitioner must demonstrate that

2492Mr. Ogles' conduct violated School Board Policy 2.71. Assuming

2501such a violation, Petitioner must also prove that it had the

2512authority to impose a suspension without pay.

251933. School Board Policy 2.71 states in pertinent part:

2528(2) The School Board prohibits harassment

2534against any employee, applicant for

2539employment, student, or student applicant

2544based upon race, color, religion, sex, age,

2551national or ethnic origin, marital/family

2556status, qualified handicap or disability or

2562social and family background. This policy

2568also applies to non-employee volunteers who

2574work subject to the control of school

2581authorities.

2582(a) The term "harassment" includes verbal or

2589physical conduct that denigrates or

2594shows hostility or aversion toward an

2600individual because of his/her race,

2605color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic

2612original, marital family background or any

2618other characteristic protected by law and

2624that:

2625(i) Has the purpose or effect of

2632creating an intimidating, hostile or

2637offensive work or academic environment;

2642(ii) Has the purpose or effect of

2649interfering with an individual's work or

2655academic performance; or

2658(iii) Otherwise adversely affects an

2663individual's work or academic

2667performance.

2668(2) The term "harassment" includes, but is

2675not limited to:

2678(i) Racial slurs (including but not

2684limited to, "nigger"), jokes, epithets,

2690negative stereotyping, threats,

2693intimidation, hostile acts;

2696(ii) Denigrating or hostile written or

2702graphic material posted or circulated in

2708the workplace or schools; or

2713(iii) Any other graphic or physical

2719conduct relating to an individual's

2724race, color, religion, sex, gender, age,

2730national or ethnic origin,

2734marital/family status, qualified

2737handicap or disability or social and

2743family background.

274534. In order to find that Respondent's actions constituted

2754harassment, it must be determined that showing the cartoon to a

2765co-worker of another race denigrates or shows hostility toward

2774that person because of her race, and that it had the effect of

2787creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment,

2795or had the effect of interfering or otherwise adversely affecting

2805with the individual's work. While the School Board Policy

2814describes the conduct as a two-part inquiry, in reality the

2824elements are intertwined. For example, if the conduct does not

2834show hostility toward another person because of his or her race

2845or other protected characteristic, it cannot by definition have

2854the purpose or effect of creating an offensive work environment.

2864On the record presented, the undersigned does not find that

2874Petitioner has demonstrated that the conduct showed hostility or

2883aversion toward an individual because of his/her race.

289135. Both parties have cited to cases interpreting the

2900Federal Civil Rights Act in determining what constitutes a

2909hostile or offensive work environment and what obligation the

2918School Board has when faced with allegations of harassment. The

2928analogy is appropriate in that School Board Policy 2.71 prohibits

2938conduct that has the purpose or effect of creating an

2948intimidating, hostile or offensive work environment, as does case

2957law interpreting 42 U.S.C. § 1981. That case law indicates that

2968in order to demonstrate a hostile work environment claim, the

2978party making the claim must show that the person harassed belongs

2989to a protected group; that he or she has been subject to

3001unwelcome harassment; that the harassment was based on a

3010protected characteristic of the employee; and that the harassment

3019was sufficiently severe or pervasive to alter the terms and

3029conditions of employment and create a discriminatorily abusive

3037working environment. Oncale v. Sundowner Offshore Services,

3044Inc. , 523 U.S. 75, 81 (1998); Barrow v. Georgia-Pacific Corp. ,

30542005 U.S. App. 17401 (11th Cir. 2005); Gupta v. Florida Board of

3066Regents , 212 F.3d 571, 583 (11th Cir. 2000).

307436. The analogy works only to a point, however, because the

3085School Board cannot be expected to wait until conduct is

3095pervasive before taking affirmative steps to correct employees

3103and impose discipline for conduct that clearly violates its

3112policies. However, in determining that the conduct itself is

3121inappropriate, the case law requiring Petitioner to meet both a

3131subjective and objective test remains instructive. Petitioner

3138must show that a reasonable person would find the environment

3148hostile or abusive as a result of the conduct and that the target

3161of the conduct -- here, Ms. McNealy -- found the environment or

3173conduct to be offensive. The "mere utterance of an . . . epithet

3186which engenders offensive feelings in an employee . . . does not

3198sufficiently affect the conditions of employment." Harris v.

3206Forklift Systems, Inc. , 510 U.S. 17 (1993).

321337. Ms. McNealy did not testify. Whether her absence was

3223planned or unforeseen, the fact remains that there is no

3233competent evidence from Ms. McNealy regarding whether she found

3242the cartoon to be offensive and if she did, why she was offended

3255by it. There is testimony from other members of the staff that

3267she was angry, upset and left school for the day. However, that

3279testimony simply does not establish that she was offended by the

3290receipt of the cartoon as opposed to the cartoon being one factor

3302of many that caused to her leave school the day she received it.

3315Most importantly, there is no testimony as to why she might have

3327found the cartoon to be offensive and whether that reason was

3338related to her race. Therefore, the Petitioner has not

3347demonstrated that the conduct at issue, i.e., handing the cartoon

3357to Ms. McNealy, was considered by Ms. McNealy to be personally

3368offensive because it denigrated or insulted her because of her

3378race.

337938. The Petitioner also did not demonstrate that the

3388cartoon was objectively offensive because it denigrates or shows

3397hostility toward African-Americans.

340039. The cartoon, without question, presents a disturbing

3408image. To the undersigned, it espouses the view that the

3418Confederate flag and our country's history related to the

3427enslavement of African-Americans are inextricably intertwined.

3433The effects of this shameful period in our country's history

3443remain with us today, and the cartoon makes that point. However,

3454on its face, the cartoon does not seek to promote racism but to

3467condemn it. This interpretation is consistent with both

3475Mr. Ogles' interpretation and the stated view of the cartoon's

3485author.

348640. Respondent testified credibly that he felt the cartoon

3495would be consistent with what he perceived Ms. McNealy's position

3505on such issues to be. While his actions presumed a familiarity

3516to discuss such issues with his co-worker that he did not have,

3528the record simply does not support any intention on his part to

3540denigrate or insult her because of her race.

354841. While other witnesses, both black and white, testified

3557that they were offended by the cartoon, no witness stated why.

3568The reason for taking offense is crucial to determining that the

3579action shows hostility or aversion toward the recipient because

3588of her race. In this case, that evidence is absent.

359842. Even assuming that Petitioner demonstrated that

3605Respondent's conduct violated School Board Policy 2.71, which it

3614has not, the question would remain whether it was appropriate to

3625suspend Respondent without pay. In order to support such a

3635suspension, Petitioner must demonstrate just cause, which

3642includes misconduct in office. § 1012.33(1)(a), Fla. Stat.

3650Misconduct is defined by rule, see paragraph 28.

365843. Petitioner did not charge Respondent with misconduct in

3667office in either the January 2, 2007, or January 7, 2007,

3678letters. Further, the authority to suspend without pay is

3687limited to the school board as opposed to the Superintendent.

3697The Superintendent may only recommend suspension or take such

3706action during emergencies. § 1012.27(5), Fla. Stat. There has

3715been no allegation that this case represented an emergency.

372444. Even assuming the appropriate authority existed for the

3733Superintendent to impose a suspension and assuming that

3741Respondent was properly notified that his conduct allegedly

3749violated Florida Administrative Code Rule 6B-1.006, Petitioner

3756has not met its burden to demonstrate a violation of the rule for

3769the same reasons stated above. Not only has the Petitioner

3779failed to demonstrate that the conduct did not constitute

3788harassment under School Board Policy 2.71, or misconduct as

3797defined in Rules 6B-1.006 and 6B-4.009, it has not demonstrated

3807that the conduct was so serious as to impair Respondent's

3817effectiveness in the classroom.

3821RECOMMENDATION

3822Upon consideration of the facts found and conclusions of law

3832reached, it is

3835RECOMMENDED:

3836That a final order be entered dismissing the charges against

3846Respondent, and rescinding all discipline previously imposed.

3853DONE AND ENTERED this 12th day of June, 2007, in

3863Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

3867S

3868LISA SHEARER NELSON

3871Administrative Law Judge

3874Division of Administrative Hearings

3878The DeSoto Building

38811230 Apalachee Parkway

3884Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060

3887(850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675

3891Fax Filing (850) 921-6847

3895www.doah.state.fl.us

3896Filed with the Clerk of the

3902Division of Administrative Hearings

3906this 12th day of June, 2007.

3912ENDNOTES

39131/ Ms. McNealy did not testify during this proceeding. Her

3923complaint was admitted for the purpose of establishing that she

3933filed a written complaint, and not for the truth of the matters

3945asserted in the document.

39492/ Section 1012.27(6), Florida Statutes, provides that the school

3958district superintendent shall:

3961[D]irect or arrange for the proper direction

3968and improvement, under rules of the district

3975school board, of the work or all members of

3984the instructional staff and other employees

3990of the district school system, supervise or

3997arrange under rules of the district school

4004board for the supervision of the instruction

4011in the district, and take such steps are

4019necessary to bring about continuous

4024improvement.

40253/ School Board Policy 6.38, which is referenced in both the

4036January 2, 2007, letter and the Petitioner's Proposed Recommended

4045Order, was not submitted as an exhibit in this proceeding and its

4057contents are unknown to the undersigned. Therefore, no reliance

4066has been placed on this policy in this Recommended Order.

4076COPIES FURNISHED :

4079Stephen W. Johnson, Esquire

4083McLin & Burnsed, P.A.

4087Post Office Box 491357

4091Leesburg, Florida 34749-1357

4094Mary F. Aspros, Esquire

4098Meyer and Brooks, P.A.

41022544 Blairstone Pines Drive

4106Tallahassee, Floria 32302

4109Anna P. Cowin, Superintendent

4113Lake County School Board

4117201 West Burleigh Boulevard

4121Tavares, Florida 32778-2496

4124Rebecca Nelsen, Director

4127Compensation, Benefits and

4130Employee Relations

4132Lake County School Board

4136201 West Burleigh Boulevard

4140Tavares, Florida 32778-2496

4143NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

4149All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within

415915 days from the date of this recommended order. Any exceptions to

4171this recommended order should be filed with the agency that will

4182issue the final order in this case.

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Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 06/12/2007
Proceedings: Recommended Order
PDF:
Date: 06/12/2007
Proceedings: Recommended Order (hearing held April 5, 2007). CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 06/12/2007
Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying the hearing record referred to the Agency.
PDF:
Date: 05/21/2007
Proceedings: (Respondent`s) Proposed Recommended Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 05/21/2007
Proceedings: (Petitioner`s) Proposed Recommended Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 04/30/2007
Proceedings: Order Granting Extension of Time (Proposed Recommended Orders to be filed by May 21, 2007).
PDF:
Date: 04/24/2007
Proceedings: Respondent`s Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to File Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Date: 04/18/2007
Proceedings: Transcript filed.
Date: 04/05/2007
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held.
PDF:
Date: 03/29/2007
Proceedings: Pre-hearing Stipulation of the Parties filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/20/2007
Proceedings: Amended Notice of Taking Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/20/2007
Proceedings: Amended Notice of Depositions filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/20/2007
Proceedings: Notice of Taking Deposition filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/19/2007
Proceedings: Notice of Depositions filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/14/2007
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Response to Initial Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 03/12/2007
Proceedings: Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
PDF:
Date: 03/12/2007
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing (hearing set for April 5, 2007; 10:30 a.m.; Leesburg, FL).
PDF:
Date: 02/22/2007
Proceedings: Respondent`s Response to Initial Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/15/2007
Proceedings: Initial Order.
PDF:
Date: 02/15/2007
Proceedings: Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/15/2007
Proceedings: Notice of Suspension without Pay filed.
PDF:
Date: 02/15/2007
Proceedings: Agency referral filed.

Case Information

Judge:
LISA SHEARER NELSON
Date Filed:
02/15/2007
Date Assignment:
02/15/2007
Last Docket Entry:
06/12/2007
Location:
Lehigh Acres, Florida
District:
Middle
Agency:
County School Boards
Suffix:
TTS
 

Counsels

Related DOAH Cases(s) (1):

Related Florida Statute(s) (8):

Related Florida Rule(s) (3):