SCHOOL BOARD OF ORANGE COUNTY, FLORIDA, BY AND THROUGH ITS SUPERINTENDENT, RONALD BLOCKER, Petitioner Vs. Paul Shelton Respondent ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT RONALD BLOCKER, as Superintendent of Schools, for and on behalf of the Schoo! Board of Orange County, Florida, (hereinafter referred to as “Petitioner’), files this Administrative Complaint against Paul Shelton (hereinafter referred to as “Respondent”. Petitioner seeks the severance of Respondent's professional services contract with Petitioner pursuant to Section 1012.33, Florida Statutes. The Petitioner alleges: 1. The Respondent, at all times material to this Complaint, was: employed as a classroom teacher by the Petitioner, the School Board of Orange County, Florida. The Respondent holds a professional services contract of employment with the Schco! Board of Orange County, Florida. That on or about April 4, 2001, a student (G.J.) alleged that the Respondent inappropriately touched her in a sexual manner by rubbing her shoulders. Investigation was unable to substantiate the allegation and no disciplinary action was taken against the Respondent. The Respondent was verbally counseled by the Principal and Assistant Principal regarding his professional conduct, specifically, he was directed to not be alone with female students. That on or about May 7, 2001, a student (A.E.) alleged that the Respondent inappropriately touched her in a sexual manner. The alleged incident took place while she was alone with the Respcndent in his classroom. That on or about May 9, 2001, the Respondent was placed on relief of duty pending the completion of an investigation. That on or about August 6, 2001, the Respondent admitted to being alone with the student but denied touching her. That on or about August 22, 2001, the Respondent received a written reprimand (Attached hereto and incorporated herein as Attachment A). The reprimand was issued as a result of inappropriate comments to a student and failure to follow the previously issued directives regarding being alone with female students. The Respondent was informed in this reprimand that “...should there be another incident of this nature in the future, discipline up to and including dismissal may be recommended”. That on or about February 26, 2002 the respondent received a less than satisfactory evaluation (Attached hereto and incorporated herein as Attachment B) as a result of his conduct and performance in the classroom. The Respondent received a “NI” (needs improvement) in the areas of Classroom Management and Discipline and Interpersonal Skills. He received an “ER” (effective with recommendations) in the areas of Planning and Delivering Instruction and Assessment of Student Performance and Professional Development Plan. The Respondent's overall rating was “ER”. That on or about March 27, 2002, the Respondent received written directives (Attached hereto and incorporated herein as Attachment C) regarding his professional conduct and his interactions with students. These directives were the result of students in the Respondent's class alleging that the Respondent was starting class late because he was selling cookies for his Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) class and showing favoritism to certain students. 10. That during the month of April 2002, students and parents cf students in the Respondent's class alleged that the Respondent threatened and did lower the grades of students who gave statements regarding his performance. As a result of the principal's investigation and the Respondent's prior conduct, the Respondent was removed from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and directed to not have additional contact with the program or the students. That on or about September 16, 2002, a meeting was held with the Respondent, his union representative, the principal and a manager from Employee Relations to discuss the respondent’s concerns regarding the previous incidents. The Respondent was particularly concerned about being removed from the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program. The Respondent was specifically directed to have no further contact with the program. Concerning the latest incident, on or about April 30, 2003 a student (C.F.) alleged that the Respondent inappropriately touched her in a sexual manner. The Respondent was placed on relief of duty on May 1, 2003 pending an investigation. When the Respondent was issued his letter on May 1, 2003 regarding his relief of duty and he was being escorted off campus, the Respondent requested to return to his classroom to take care of an issue. The assistant principal denied his request. Investigation revealed that doughnuts were being sold from the Respondent's classroom for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA). The Respondent admitted being alone in his classroom with the student but denied touching her. The Respondent denied personally selling any doughnuts for the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) but did acknowledge that students were selling them in his class for another teacher in the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) program. Both actions by the Respondent are in violation of the previously issued directives and reprimand. 42. Such actions, individually or collectively, by the Respondent are in violation of School Board Policies and constitute misconduct in office, willful neglect of duty, gross insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, and a breach of Respondent's employmerit agreement with the School Board. 13. Said violations, individually or collectively, are sufficient grounds to sever the professional services contract status of Respondent, Paul Shelton, and to terminate his employment with the School Board of Orange County, Florida. THEREFORE, the Superintendent of Schools for the School Board of Orange County, Florida, recommends that the Board sever its professional services contract relationship with the Respondent and terminate immediately the employment of Respondent, Paul Shelton. Dated this 5 day of August, 2003. rank Florida&Bar No. 238597 Attorney for Ronald Blocker, Superintendent, the Schcol Board of Orange County, Florida 445 W. Amelia Street Orlando, Florida 32801 (407)317-3411

Docket for Case No: 03-003451