Griffin, District 6--napping on the board since 2008
Olson, District 2-- slumbering on board since 1994
Falliero: District 2-dozing on the board since 2002
________________________________
Susan Valdes: District 1--The current board chair is a travelin' woman, comatose on the board but waking up at airports right before take-off to Las Vegas and other centers of learning.
These three board worthies who want another snooze session--this time 4 years--have none bothered to look out for the county's voters and students during their time in office. They have instead slept on the job or taken joy rides around the country for thousands of dollars billed to the taxpayers while county poor children could not participate in class projects because their parents could not afford supplies.
Incumbent Candy Olson took a trip to Alaska for God knows what educational purpose. She probably wanted to see the Nanook of the North beauty pageant to boost her aesthetic understanding of cultural gimcrackery. La Olson brought back no discernible wisdom from this Northern Exposure to augment the performance of the schools. One hopes that she suffered frostbite from this government-paid lark.
Do these school-board travelers on the taxpayer dime ever learn anything at all having to do with education on joyrides around the country? Not that one can discern. They come back as dumb as when they departed.
Chair Susan Valdes in one year blew $50,000 larking around the country to pick up those Cracker Jack awards school districts download on each other so that they will look important and productive despite their administrations' being filled with C students making $150,000 or more a year while still trying to figure out whether Napoleon has a blog from Elba, what a verb really is, or what the capital of New York or even Florida could be without writing the answer on their hands.
The A and B students all go into teaching to promote the ecstasy of learning while being bossed around by the C-student administration making five or six times a teacher's salary. Obtuse graduates from diploma mills with majors in academic-lite subjects get right off the plane after graduation and head for the nearest school bureaucratic enclave.
When the county school board's peripatetic travelers touch down at home, they snooze on the board dais during meetings except to press the green button when Elia says "Zeig Heil!"
To see stupidity in action, one had only to attend the recent board meeting on fair distribution for religions of holidays. Board members went into overdrive spouting cliches about how they honored every religion blah, blah, blah and then segued into how hard they had it when they tried to figure out the school calender. Stupidity mated to hypocrisy is never pretty to watch, especially amongst people supposed to lead a school system.
Current school-board drones rouse themselves only to attend tax-paid political hog-trough banquets after swanning around the county pretending to "save every penny of taxpayer money," which they regard as their piggy personal bank for fun, fun, fun 'til daddy takes their t-bird incumbency away.
______________________________________________
Mr. Marshall, Times reporter: you caught board attorney Mr. Gonzalez's error when he said the sheriff's comments on The King High administrator Toe Cracker and teacher Steve Kemp were different, that teacher Kemp needed more scrutiny but that the King High School administrative Toecracker was free and clear.
Mr. Gonzalez argued with you and tried to make you think you were wrong. You repeated the story in the press a second time in response. Then, Le Gonzalez belatedly sent a redaction to Professional Standards when your stories finally prompted him to read the two reports, a chore he had evaded before.
This board consigliere makes a similar error in saying that the bullying law applies only to students. My read says that he delivered this botched opinion on the board dais before reviewing the law. He manufactured distortion of the law to propitiate Ms. Olson, who doesn't want teachers and staff to have the protection of the bullying law so that they can challenge Professional Standards' bullying them with marginal or cooked-up charges to cow them into silence and threaten their jobs if they speak out against board-and-administration malpractice.
Ms. Olson doesn't like teachers. That fact should be clear from her public attitude toward them. She shows no curiosity about Professional Standards Abu Ghraib practices on teachers. She praises from the dais the lower-quartile, sadistic Ms. Kipley, home-ec trained head of Professional Standards, even while sneering at teachers' being bullied by Professional Standards for administrative and board blackmail laced with sadism.
Le Gonzalez hasn't done due diligence to support his assertion that HB 669 bullying legislation applies only to students. I don't know whether his slovenliness is deliberate or that, as earlier in the sheriff's opinion, Gonzalez hadn't done his homework. I infer he thinks Elia and the board are too dumb to call him out on such habitual mess-ups even while paying $275,000 to him from the tax kitty. Alas, they probably are.
The policy that the Hillsborough county administration and board sent to Education Commissioner Dr. Smith below gives the lie to the Gonzalez interpretation. He doesn't do justice to his work for the schools despite his $275,000 a year in loot of tax money. He is a slipshod employee who does not merit that bloated pay for a job Dr. Lennard handed to him in a good-ol-boy deal that evaded the equal-opportunity laws that the board blazons everywhere: "We are an equal-employment-opportunity employer."
A Web survey shows other lawyers in the state school system don't get near the tax pile of money as that Gonzalez rakes in for his poor performance. The greedy rascal also moonlights at USF as well for more tax take. He handled the Sami el Arian case. It was against free speech. Gonzalez must have been in his element since he is against free speech himself. He has let the board ignoramuses run roughshod over citizens' right to speak at board meetings. I once got kicked out on the pretext of exceeding my time limit of three minutes but really in retaliation from then-board chair Pole Girl Faliero because I had exposed her school-based adultery after her former inamorato Marc Hart, head of Community Relations until he was fired to save the Pole Girl's "reputation," traveled to my beach home to certify the situation with a divorce deposition.
I asked the ACLU to come lecture Gonzalez and the board for their rip-off of the First Amendment. It was like pouring water on a duck's back. Board attorney and school board both ricocheted back to their old tricks of suppressing attending citizens' free speech and quelling teachers' free speech with the Professional Standards gulag.
The board could get a better lawyer by advertising the job: a full-time one such as the lawyer Pinellas County schools has. Pinellas pays its attorney $175,000 for him to keep an 8-hour day in the administration building and be available during working hours to oversee legal questions ad lib. Gonzalez is always flitting amongst his office, the schools, and USF, picking up his laundry, or having manicures.
This Gonzalez case demonstrates how board members ignore looting tax money with the cushy attorney arrangement in current use. This situation defines their attitude toward fiscal responsibility.
Such obscene waste of tax money makes a great cornerstone for any challengers of incumbents Falliero, Olson, and Griffin.
The whole board, including this incumbent trio. has sat by and let this rape of tax dollars go on without one of them uttering a syllable of objection or even making a query about it. I recommend challengers cite Gonzalez's bloated pay compared to his performance manque. Voters understand public officials' wasting tax money. Voters get mad as hell about such plain-as-the-nose-on-your face waste of their money that the Gonzalez bloated salary racket represents.
If I were a candidate, I would hold a press conference in the board lobby after every meeting and tell reporters that the situation ranks intolerable and that I will change the Gonzalez rip-off when the voters elect me by sacking Gonzalez, advertising the job as the federal law says the schools should, and hiring the best specimen full time as Pinellas does.
Opponents of these three incumbent colluders up for re-election--Griffin, Falliero, and Olson--should advertise the trio's outrageous incumbent support of waste of tax money on an incompetent, greedy attorney. I would hand out in supermarket parking lots flyers with this ugly situation exposed.
Opponents should nail these complicit board members on how they promise to save every penny of taxpayer money and yet never question the overpaying of a lawyer who seems too busy to read his school client's literature yet gets paid outrageous amounts of tax money anyway.
For most people, $275,000 a year is not chickenfeed: it's real money that the schools should have better use for in an economic recession. That money would hire nine teachers. The board should honor election-time promises to serve citizens and guard their money, not form part of the greedy merry-go-round that the administration unloads on the board for its automatic approval.
And in the spirit of government in the sunshine, let's have no more backroom deals and buddy job handouts as usual: let's have this matter discussed on the podium so that people can see how this board makes decisions. The board should stop the Consent Agenda conveyor belt and discuss the issues on the podium so that voters can see what's going on.
The problem with board challengers will be lack of courage and imagination. They have to understand that their job is not to be nice: it's to get elected by pointing our incumbents' seedy records. No euphemisms: just spit the truth out. They have to pound the matter of Gonzalez's bloated salary. And when elected, they have to conduct public business in the open on the board podium to let voters know what's going on in such things as this board-attorney rip off and other hidden money traps that slip by undiscussed such as no-bid contracting. Incumbent opponents on the stump should tell voters how they will correct the malignant government out of the sunshine that the board and administration have cooked up to hide bad management.
Here's a pithy question for challengers to ask incumbents: Have you board members ever asked Mr. Valdez, personnel director, to do a pay study of school board attorneys' remuneration statewide?
Why, no, what an exotic idea, something that never came up in their tax-paid, soi-disant seminars around the country.
Incumbent school-board airheads have never thought of that maneuver to guard against situations such as that of Gonzalez. Why not? They are too busy mapping out their next publicly financed spree to some Fun City hosted by unaware taxpayers.
Lee Drury De Cesare
leedrurydecesarescasting-roomcouch.blogspot.com
copy:
School Board
Mayor
County Commission
Hillsborough County legislative delegation
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STUDENTS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Policy Against Bullying and Harassment
5517.01/page 1 of 7
It is the policy of Hillsborough County Public Schools that all of its students and school
employees have an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and
bullying of any kind. The district will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any type.
Conduct that constitutes bullying or harassment, as defined herein, is prohibited.
Definitions
“Bullying” means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological
distress on one or more students, employees, or visitors. It is further defined as unwanted
and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting, or
dehumanizing gesture, by a student or adult, that is severe or pervasive enough to create an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment; cause discomfort or humiliation;
or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation; and may
involve but is not limited to:
A. Teasing
B. Social Exclusion
C. Threat
D. Intimidation
E. Stalking
F. Cyberbullying
G. Cyberstalking
H. Physical violence
I. Theft
J. Sexual, religious, or racial harassment
K. Public humiliation
L. Destruction of property
“Harassment” means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or
computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or
school employee that:
A. places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her
person or damage to his or her property; or
B. has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational
performance, opportunities, or benefits; or
C. has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school
Bullying and harassment also encompasses:
A. Retaliation against a student or school employee by another student or school
employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment. Reporting
an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered
retaliation.
B. Perpetuation of conduct listed in the definition of bullying or harassment by an
individual or group with intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause
emotional or physical harm to a student or school employee by:
1. Incitement or coercion;
c: members of the Hillsborough County legislative delegation
Mayor Iorio
County Commission
City Council
Tom Marshall@sptimes
solocheck@sptimes
lagaceta@tampabay.rr.com
1
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20081209_314 * Section E Item# 1
Page 1 of 7
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STUDENTS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
5517.01/page 2 of 7
2. Accessing or knowingly and willingly causing or providing access to data
or computer software through a computer, computer system, or computer
network within the scope of the district school system; or
3. Acting in a manner that has an effect substantially similar to the effect of
bullying or harassment.
"Harassment" or "bullying" also includes electronically transmitted acts (i.e., internet, e-mail,
cellular telephone, personal digital assistance (PDA), or wireless hand-held device) directed
toward a student(s) or staff member(s) that causes mental or physical harm or is sufficiently
severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive
educational environment for the other student(s).
Cyberstalking as defined in s. 784.048(1)(d), F.S., means to engage in a course of conduct
to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through
the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing
substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose.
Expected Behavior
Hillsborough County Public Schools expects students and school employees to conduct
themselves appropriately for their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated
capabilities, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school
staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities
and equipment.
The school district believes that standards for student behavior must be set cooperatively
through interaction among the students, parents/legal guardians, staff, and community
members producing an atmosphere that encourages students to grow in self-discipline. The
development of this atmosphere requires respect for self and others, as well as for district
and community property on the part of students, staff, and community members. Since
students learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers will
demonstrate appropriate behavior; treat others with civility and respect, and refuse to
tolerate bullying or harassment.
The school district upholds that school-related bullying or harassment of any student or
school employee is prohibited:
A. During any education program or activity conducted by a school sites educational
institution;
B. During any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity;
C. On a school bus or bus stop of a school sites educational institution; or
D. Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a
computer, computer system, or computer network of a school sites education
institution.
Consequences
Concluding whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy
requires a determination based on all of the facts and surrounding circumstances. The
physical location or time of access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a
defense in any disciplinary action. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for
students who commit acts of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral
2
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20081209_314 * Section E Item# 1
Page 2 of 7
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STUDENTS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
5517.01/page 3 of 7
interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the Code of
Student Conduct. A district employee found to have committed an act of bullying or
harassment may be disciplined in accordance with district policies, procedures, and
agreements. Additionally, egregious acts of harassment by certified educators may result in
a sanction against that educator’s state issued certificate. (See State Board of Education
Rule 6B-1.006, FAC., The Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in
Florida.) Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer, found to
have committed an act of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the school
administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including
reports to appropriate law enforcement officials.
Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a student found to have wrongfully and
intentionally accused another as a means of bullying or harassment range from positive
behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the
Code of Student Conduct. A district employee found to have wrongfully and intentionally
accused another as a means of bullying or harassment may be disciplined in accordance
with district policies, procedures, and agreements. Consequences and appropriate remedial
action for a visitor or volunteer, found to have wrongfully and intentionally accused another
as a means of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the school administrator after
consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate
law enforcement officials.
Procedure for Reporting
At each school, the principal or the principal’s designee is responsible for receiving
complaints alleging violations of this policy. All school employees are required to report
alleged violations of this policy to the principal or the principal’s designee. All other members
of the school community, including students, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and
visitors are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy anonymously
or in-person to the principal or principal’s designee.
The principal/site administrator of each school or site in the district shall establish, publicize,
and prominently post (e.g., posters, student handbook, district website, school website) to
students, staff, volunteers, and parents/legal guardians, how a report of bullying or
harassment may be filed either in-person or anonymously and how this report will be acted
upon. The victim of bullying or harassment, anyone who witnessed the bullying or
harassment, and anyone who has credible information that an act of bullying or harassment
has taken place may file a report of bullying or harassment. A district employee, school
volunteer, student, parent/legal guardian or other persons who promptly reports in good faith
an act of bullying or harassment to the appropriate school official and who makes this report
in compliance with the procedures set forth in the district policy is immune from a cause of
action for damages arising out of the reporting itself or any failure to remedy the reported
incident. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of bullying or harassment will not
affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades, learning, working
environment, or work assignments.
Any written or oral reporting of an act of bullying or harassment shall be considered an
official means of reporting such act(s). Reports may be made anonymously, but formal
disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
3
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20081209_314 * Section E Item# 1
Page 3 of 7
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Olson, District 2: slumbering on board since 1994
Griffin, District 6: napping on the board since 2008
Falliero: District 2: dozing on the board since 2002
They none have awakened during that time except to take joy rides around the country for thouseands of dollars billed to the taxpayers or to attend tax-paid political banquets while swanning around the county pretending to save taxpayer money, which they regard as their piggy bank for fun, fun, fun 'til daddy takes their t-bird incumbency away.
MaryEllen Elia, Superintendent Mr. Marshall, Times reporter: you caught Mr. Gonzalez's error when he said the sheriff's comments on The King High administrator Toe Cracker and teacher Steve Kemp were different, that teacher Kemp needed more scrutiny but that the King High School administrative Toecracker was free and clear. I think Mr. Gonzalez argued with you and tried to make you think you were wrong. You repeated the story in the press. Then, Le Gonzales belatedly sent a redaction to Professional Standards when he finally got around to reading the two reports.
He has made a similar error in his saying that the bullying law applies only to students. My read is that he delivered this botched opinion to propitiate Ms. Olson, who doesn't want teachers and staff to have protection of the bullying law so that they can challenge Professional Standards bullying them with marginal or cooked-up charges and threatening their jobs if they speak out against board-and-administration malpractice. Gonzalez hasn't done due diligence in his assertion that the law applies only to students. I don't know whether his slovenliness is deliberate or that he as earlier in the sheriff's opinion, Gonzalez hasn't done his homework.
The policy that the schools sent to Dr. Smith below gives the lie to the Gonzalez interpretation. He doesn't do justice to his work for the schools, which pay him $275,000 a year in tax money; he is a slipshod employee who does not merit that bloated pay for a job Dr. Lennard handed to him in a good-ol-boy deal that evaded the equal-opportunity laws that the board blazons everywhere: "We are an equal-employment-opportunity employer."
A Web survey shows other lawyers in the state school system don't get such tax loot as that which Gonzalez rakes in for poor performance. He moonlights at USF as well for more tax loot. The board could get a much better lawyer by advertising the job: a full-time one such as the one Pinellas County schools has. It pays its attorney $175,000 for him to keep on 8-hour day in the administration building and be available during working hours to oversee legal questions ad lib.
This Gonzalez case of the board members' ignoring looting tax money by the cushy arrangement the schools have with Gonzalez would be a terrific cornerstone for any of the challengers to the board jobs incumbents Falliero, Olson, and Griffin. Voters understand and deplore government's wasting tax money and get mad as hell about such plain-as-the-nose-on-your face waste of money as this Gonzalez salary racket represents.
Opponents of these three colluders with such waste--Griffin, Falliero, and Olson should advertise this outrageous incumbent support of waste of tax money. They should nail them on how they promise to save every penny of taxpayer money and yet never question this outrageous situation of overpaying a lawyer who seems too busy to read the school client's literature on which he makes decisions but gets paid an outrageous amount of tax money despite his slovenly performance. $275,000 a year is not chickenfeed scooped from the public coffers into to Mr. Gonzalez's pocket: it's real money that the schools should have better use for if the board paid attention to his promises to serve the citizens, not be a part of the greedy merry-go-round that the administration unloads on the board for its automatic approval.
Lee Drury De Cesare
leedrurydecesarescasting-roomcouch.blogspot.com
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STUDENTS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
Hillsborough County Public Schools
Policy Against Bullying and Harassment
5517.01/page 1 of 7
It is the policy of Hillsborough County Public Schools that all of its students and school
employees have an educational setting that is safe, secure, and free from harassment and
bullying of any kind. The district will not tolerate bullying or harassment of any type.
Conduct that constitutes bullying or harassment, as defined herein, is prohibited.
Definitions
“Bullying” means systematically and chronically inflicting physical hurt or psychological
distress on one or more students, employees, or visitors. It is further defined as unwanted
and repeated written, verbal, or physical behavior, including any threatening, insulting, or
dehumanizing gesture, by a student or adult, that is severe or pervasive enough to create an
intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment; cause discomfort or humiliation;
or unreasonably interfere with the individual’s school performance or participation; and may
involve but is not limited to:
A. Teasing
B. Social Exclusion
C. Threat
D. Intimidation
E. Stalking
F. Cyberbullying
G. Cyberstalking
H. Physical violence
I. Theft
J. Sexual, religious, or racial harassment
K. Public humiliation
L. Destruction of property
“Harassment” means any threatening, insulting, or dehumanizing gesture, use of data or
computer software, or written, verbal or physical conduct directed against a student or
school employee that:
A. places a student or school employee in reasonable fear of harm to his or her
person or damage to his or her property; or
B. has the effect of substantially interfering with a student’s educational
performance, opportunities, or benefits; or
C. has the effect of substantially disrupting the orderly operation of a school
Bullying and harassment also encompasses:
A. Retaliation against a student or school employee by another student or school
employee for asserting or alleging an act of bullying or harassment. Reporting
an act of bullying or harassment that is not made in good faith is considered
retaliation.
B. Perpetuation of conduct listed in the definition of bullying or harassment by an
individual or group with intent to demean, dehumanize, embarrass, or cause
emotional or physical harm to a student or school employee by:
1. Incitement or coercion;
1
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20081209_314 * Section E Item# 1
Page 1 of 7
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STUDENTS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
5517.01/page 2 of 7
2. Accessing or knowingly and willingly causing or providing access to data
or computer software through a computer, computer system, or computer
network within the scope of the district school system; or
3. Acting in a manner that has an effect substantially similar to the effect of
bullying or harassment.
"Harassment" or "bullying" also includes electronically transmitted acts (i.e., internet, e-mail,
cellular telephone, personal digital assistance (PDA), or wireless hand-held device) directed
toward a student(s) or staff member(s) that causes mental or physical harm or is sufficiently
severe, persistent, or pervasive that it creates an intimidating, threatening, or abusive
educational environment for the other student(s).
Cyberstalking as defined in s. 784.048(1)(d), F.S., means to engage in a course of conduct
to communicate, or to cause to be communicated, words, images, or language by or through
the use of electronic mail or electronic communication, directed at a specific person, causing
substantial emotional distress to that person and serving no legitimate purpose.
Expected Behavior
Hillsborough County Public Schools expects students and school employees to conduct
themselves appropriately for their levels of development, maturity, and demonstrated
capabilities, with a proper regard for the rights and welfare of other students and school
staff, the educational purpose underlying all school activities, and the care of school facilities
and equipment.
The school district believes that standards for student behavior must be set cooperatively
through interaction among the students, parents/legal guardians, staff, and community
members producing an atmosphere that encourages students to grow in self-discipline. The
development of this atmosphere requires respect for self and others, as well as for district
and community property on the part of students, staff, and community members. Since
students learn by example, school administrators, faculty, staff, and volunteers will
demonstrate appropriate behavior; treat others with civility and respect, and refuse to
tolerate bullying or harassment.
The school district upholds that school-related bullying or harassment of any student or
school employee is prohibited:
A. During any education program or activity conducted by a school sites educational
institution;
B. During any school-related or school-sponsored program or activity;
C. On a school bus or bus stop of a school sites educational institution; or
D. Through the use of data or computer software that is accessed through a
computer, computer system, or computer network of a school sites education
institution.
Consequences
Concluding whether a particular action or incident constitutes a violation of this policy
requires a determination based on all of the facts and surrounding circumstances. The
physical location or time of access of a computer-related incident cannot be raised as a
defense in any disciplinary action. Consequences and appropriate remedial action for
students who commit acts of bullying or harassment may range from positive behavioral
2
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20081209_314 * Section E Item# 1
Page 2 of 7
THE SCHOOL BOARD OF STUDENTS
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA
5517.01/page 3 of 7
interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the Code of
Student Conduct. A district employee found to have committed an act of bullying or
harassment may be disciplined in accordance with district policies, procedures, and
agreements. Additionally, egregious acts of harassment by certified educators may result in
a sanction against that educator’s state issued certificate. (See State Board of Education
Rule 6B-1.006, FAC., The Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in
Florida.) Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a visitor or volunteer, found to
have committed an act of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the school
administrator after consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including
reports to appropriate law enforcement officials.
Consequences and appropriate remedial action for a student found to have wrongfully and
intentionally accused another as a means of bullying or harassment range from positive
behavioral interventions up to and including suspension or expulsion, as outlined in the
Code of Student Conduct. A district employee found to have wrongfully and intentionally
accused another as a means of bullying or harassment may be disciplined in accordance
with district policies, procedures, and agreements. Consequences and appropriate remedial
action for a visitor or volunteer, found to have wrongfully and intentionally accused another
as a means of bullying or harassment shall be determined by the school administrator after
consideration of the nature and circumstances of the act, including reports to appropriate
law enforcement officials.
Procedure for Reporting
At each school, the principal or the principal’s designee is responsible for receiving
complaints alleging violations of this policy. All school employees are required to report
alleged violations of this policy to the principal or the principal’s designee. All other members
of the school community, including students, parents/legal guardians, volunteers, and
visitors are encouraged to report any act that may be a violation of this policy anonymously
or in-person to the principal or principal’s designee.
The principal/site administrator of each school or site in the district shall establish, publicize,
and prominently post (e.g., posters, student handbook, district website, school website) to
students, staff, volunteers, and parents/legal guardians, how a report of bullying or
harassment may be filed either in-person or anonymously and how this report will be acted
upon. The victim of bullying or harassment, anyone who witnessed the bullying or
harassment, and anyone who has credible information that an act of bullying or harassment
has taken place may file a report of bullying or harassment. A district employee, school
volunteer, student, parent/legal guardian or other persons who promptly reports in good faith
an act of bullying or harassment to the appropriate school official and who makes this report
in compliance with the procedures set forth in the district policy is immune from a cause of
action for damages arising out of the reporting itself or any failure to remedy the reported
incident. Submission of a good faith complaint or report of bullying or harassment will not
affect the complainant or reporter’s future employment, grades, learning, working
environment, or work assignments.
Any written or oral reporting of an act of bullying or harassment shall be considered an
official means of reporting such act(s). Reports may be made anonymously, but formal
disciplinary action may not be based solely on the basis of an anonymous report.
Hillsborough County Public Schools (Florida) * Mtg.#20081209_314 * Section E Item# 1
Page 3 of 7
