Ethics In Education – Reporting Misconduct & Abuse
Section 1006.061(1), Florida Statutes requires each district school, charter school and private school that accepts scholarship students under section 220.187 or section 1002.39 to post in a prominent place a notice that pursuant to chapter 39 all employees and agents of the district school board, charter school or private school have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.
Section 1006.061(2), Florida Statutes requires each district school, charter school and private school that accepts scholarship students to post at the school site and on the schools’ internet site the policies and procedures for reporting alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student. The notices must include the contact person to whom the report is made and the penalties imposed on those instructional personnel or school administrators who fail to report suspected child abuse or misconduct by other instructional personnel or school administrators.
How to report misconduct:
Report allegations or suspicion of misconduct by an instructional personnel member to your school administrator or district contact
Report allegations or suspicion of misconduct by your school administrator to your district contact
Document the activities or details of the event.
Secure evidence (if applicable)
Who should report misconduct?
All employees and agents of a district school board, charter school or private school have a duty to report misconduct.
If you are aware of or observe misconduct
REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!
Who should you report?
Classroom teachers
Paraprofessionals
Substitute teachers
Librarians, guidance counselors and social workers
Career specialists and school psychologists
Principals, Assistant Principals and Deans
Florida Statutes s. 1006.061 states all employees and agents of the district school board, charter schools and private schools that accept scholarship students, have an obligation to report misconduct by an instructional personnel member or school administrator
Liability Protections Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by law, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action. (F.S. 39.203)
Florida Statutes s. 1012.33 outlines disciplinary procedures regarding district employment contracts with instructional personnel staff, supervisors and school principals
Florida Statutes s. 1012.795 provides the Education Practices Commission the authority to issue disciplinary action against an individual’s Florida Educator certificate
Florida Statutes s. 1012.796 provides authority for the Department of Education to investigate and prosecute allegations of educator misconduct
Florida Statute s. 1012.01 defines public school instructional personnel, administrative personnel, school volunteers, education support employees and managers
State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.001 defines the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida
State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006 defines the Principals of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida
Failure to Report Misconduct – Possible penalties for instructional personnel or site administrators who fail to report misconduct may include:
Written Reprimand
Suspension with or without pay
Termination of employment
Discipline/Sanctions on an educator’s certificate
To make a report at Mangrove School of Sarasota, Please contact Erin Melia, 941.500.3433