Petitioner: MANATEE COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD
Respondent: RICHARD A. CARLSON
Judges: DANIEL M. KILBRIDE
Agency: County School Boards
Locations: Bradenton, Florida
Filed: Jun. 10, 2008
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, September 5, 2008.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
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BEFORE THE SCHOOL BOARD
OF MANATEE COUNTY, FLORIDA
SCHOOL BOARD OF MANATEE
COUNTY, FLORIDA,
Petitioner/Employer,
VS. SBMC Case No. 08-0010
RICHARD A. CARLSON,
Respondent/Employee.
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Dr, Roger Dearing, as Superintendent of Schools, by and through his undersigned
counsel, hereby recommends the termination of employment of Respondent, RICHARD A.
CARLSON (“Carlson”), effective June 10, 2008, and as grounds therefore states as follows:
FACTUAL ALLEGATIONS
I. Carlson has been employed with the School District of Manatee County since
November |, 2007, when he was employed as a substitute bus driver. Since January, 2008, he
has been employed as a full-time bus driver at Matzke.
2. On April 17, 2008, while transporting students in a district school bus, Carlson
was involved in a traffic accident.
3. Upon reporting the accident to his supervisor, Carlson was directed to submit
to a urine drug panel on the same day of the accident, April 17, 2008.
4, On the evening of April 24, 2008, Carlson was advised by the laboratory that he
tested positive for marijuana on the April 17, 2008, drug tese.
$. On April 25, 2008, Carlson notified his supervisor of the Transportation
Department of his drug test results.
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6. On April 25, 2008, the Director of Transportation advised Carlson that based on
the drug test results, she would recommend that Carlson be terminated. Carlson surrendered
his fuel key and badge to the Director of Transportation.
7. On May 1, 2008, the Superintendent sent Carlson a letter placing him on paid
administrative leave effective April 25, 2008.
VIOLATIONS
8. Section 6.11 of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the School Board of
Manatee County, adopted March 14, 2005, provides that an employee may be suspended
without pay or terminated from employment for just cause, including but not limited to, ...
misconduct in office ... violation of the Policies and Procedures Manual of the School Board of
Manatee County, ... violation of ...the Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional
Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida. Just cause exists to discipline the employee
based upon the following:
9. Carlson’s actions constitute just cause under section 6.11.
10. Carlson has engaged in misconduct in office as defined in Rule 6B-4.009(3),
F.A.C. which provides that misconduct in office is a violation of the Code of Ethics of the
Education Profession as adopted in Rule 6B-1.001, F.A.C., and the Principles of Professional
Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida as adopted in Rule 6B-1.006, F.A.C., which is
So serious as to impair the individual's effectiveness in the school system,
11. Carlson's actions violated Rule 6B-1.006(3)(a), F.A.C. which requires that the
individual make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning
and/or to the students mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
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12. Carlson’s actions violated Section 2.20 and 6.11.10. of the Policies and
Procedures Manual of the Schoo! Board of Manatee County, adopted March 14, 2005. Pursuant
to these sections, employees are expected to be free of the influence of, use of, possession,
selling and dispensing of drugs and alcohol while on duty or while on Schoo! Board property.
13. Carlson’s actions violate Rules 3.011(5) and 3.002 c. of the Standard Operating
Procedures Manual of the Transportation Department of the School Board of Manatee County
which requires bus drivers to refrain from using or being under the influence of illicit drugs, or
any substance, which may impair the operator's alertness or performance while on duty.
WHEREFORE, based on the foregoing, the Superintendent recommends the termination
of Respondent, Richard A. Carlson's, employment, effective June 10, 2008. If a hearing is
requested, the Superintendent recommends that the hearing be granted and that Respondent
be suspended without pay effective, June 10, 2008, pending the outcome of the hearing.
RIGHT TO A HEARING
1 Respondent is entitled to a public hearing to be conducted in accordance with
sections 120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes (2007) regarding the Superintendent's
recommendation,
2. Respondent is required to file a Request for Administrative Hearing pursuant to
the Administrative Procedure Act, chapter 120, Florida Statutes (2007), and the Uniform Rules
adopted by the Administration Commission, chapter 28-106, Florida Administrative Code if a
hearing is requested. A sample Request is attached for Respondent's reference and use.
3. Respondent must file the Request with Lyn Lego, Agency Clerk, at 215 Manatee
Avenue West, 5th Floor, Bradenton, Florida 34205 no later than 4:30 p.m. on June 9, 2008,
with a copy to Robert J. Shapiro, Esquire, Staff Attorney at 215 Manatee Avenue West, 2nd
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Floor, Bradenton, Florida 34205. Respondent is required to substantially comply with the
requirements of the Uniform Rules.
4. Respondent is entitled to representation by counsel or other qualified
representative at Respondent's expense.
5. Failure to request a hearing will be deemed an admission of the allegations
against Respondent.
6. Mediation under section 120.573, Florida Statutes (2007) is not available.
DATED this 19° day of May, 2008, in Bradenton, Manatee County, Florida.
OY
Robert J. Shapi
Florida Bar: 231381
School Board of Marfatee County
P.O. Box 9069
Bradenton, FL 34206
Telephone (941) 708-8770, x2262
Facsimile: (941) 714-7536
Attorney for Petitioner/Employer
Docket for Case No: 08-002741
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Sep. 05, 2008 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Sep. 05, 2008 |
CASE STATUS: Motion Hearing Held. |
Sep. 04, 2008 |
Motion to Voluntarily Dismiss Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Aug. 22, 2008 |
Petitioner`s Witness List; Petitioner`s Exhibit List filed.
|
Aug. 04, 2008 |
Notice of Taking Deposition (R. Carlson) filed.
|
Jun. 17, 2008 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Jun. 17, 2008 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for September 9 and 10, 2008; 9:30 a.m.; Bradenton, FL).
|
Jun. 17, 2008 |
Petitioner`s Response to Initial Order filed.
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Jun. 10, 2008 |
Initial Order.
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Jun. 10, 2008 |
Order on Suspension without Pay and Granting Hearing filed.
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Jun. 10, 2008 |
Request for Administrative Hearing filed.
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Jun. 10, 2008 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Jun. 10, 2008 |
Agency referral filed.
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