In an Administrative Complaint dated January 8, 2010, the Superintendent of Broward County Schools gave notice of his intent to recommend that the Broward County School Board terminate the employment of a teacher, Alexandra Kralik. In a letter dated January 25, 2010, Kralik timely requested an administrative hearing. The request was referred to the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) on February 9, 2010. The case was assigned to Administrative Law Judge John G. Van Laningham who set the case for hearing on April 2, 2010. On March 8, 2010, the parties filed a Joint Motion to Reset Final Hearing and the case was re-scheduled for June 1, 2010.Evidence consisting primarily of testimony of a 5-year-old alleged victim and 6-year-old classmate is insufficient to prove that kindergarten teacher used physical force to place crying/disruptive child in chair for timeout.
Whether Respondent committed the violations alleged in the Administrative Complaint, and, if so, what disciplinary action should be taken against him.School Board established that it had just cause to terminate teacher who engaged in inappropriate physical conduct with two 14-year-old students.
The issue for determination is whether Respondent should be suspended, with or without pay, and terminated from employment with Petitioner for the offenses set forth in the Administrative Complaint.Petitioner demonstrated that Respondent committed misconduct in office and gross insubordination. Recommend penalty of six-month suspension and enrollment in professional skills enhancement programs.
