State of Florida

 

As a participating school in the State of Florida Step Up For Students and AAA Scholarship Program, we fully comply with all statues governing private schools.

 

On July 1, 2008 the Florida Legislature enacted Bill 1712 entitled the “Ethics in Education Act.” Sections 1002.421(4) and 1006.061 of the statutes require a private school that accepts McKay or Corporate Tax Credit Scholarship Students to: Disqualify from employment any instructional personnel or school administrator who is convicted of an act listed under s. 1012.35, F.S.

Conduct an employment history and fingerprint check before employing instructional personnel or school administrators in any position that requires direct contact with students and document the findings.

 

Before employing instructional personnel or school administrators in any position that requires direct contact with students, screen the personnel or administrator through the Professional Practices Database of Disciplinary Actions and The Teacher Certification Database and document the findings.

 

Prohibit confidentiality agreements with instructional personnel or school administrators who are dismissed, terminated, or resign in lieu of termination due to misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.

 

Create and adopt policies establishing ethical standards of conduct for instructional personnel and school administrators.

 

Post a notice in the school indicating that all employees have a duty to report actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.

 

Post at the school and on the school’s website the policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.

 

Reporting Educator Misconduct

 

All employees of The Potter's House Christian Academy have an obligation and legal responsibility to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety or welfare of a student.

 

Failure to report misconduct may result in penalties up to termination of employment and revocation of an educator’s certificate. The following are some of examples of misconduct that must be reported:

 

• Obscene language

• Drug and alcohol use

• Disparaging comments

• Prejudice or bigotry

• Sexual innuendo

• Cheating

• Testing violations

• Physical aggression

• Accept or offer favors

 

Any of the above behaviors should be reported to the School Administration or to the Office of Independent Education and Parental Choice at 800-447-1636.

 

 

 

 

Section 1006.061(1), Florida Statutes, requires each district school, charter school and private school that accepts scholarship students under ss. 220.187 or 1002.39, Florida Statutes, 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 (if available) 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.

 

Section 1006.061, Florida Statutes, requires the Department to provide sample notices suitable for posting. The attached posters are provided as samples for district schools, charter schools and private schools that accept scholarship students under ss. 220.187 or 1002.39, Florida Statutes. The sample posters may be printed and used as is, may be used in a modified form, or may be used as inspiration to develop a unique poster. Each school or district may also develop its own poster that suits the needs of the school or district as desired.