CHAPTER 6.00 - PERSONNEL

6.38 Employee Discipline Policy

I. Purpose 

The purpose of this policy is to achieve the effective operation of the school  district’s programs through the cooperation of all employees under a system of  policies and rules applied fairly and uniformly. All employees shall be treated on  a fair and equitable basis in the administration of disciplinary measures. 

II. General Statement of Policy 

The disciplinary process described herein is designed to utilize progressive  steps, where appropriate, to produce positive corrective action. In dealing with  deficiencies in employee work performance or conduct, progressive discipline  shall be administered except in situations where immediate steps must be taken  to ensure student/staff safety. While the school district intends that in most cases  progressive discipline will be administered, the specific form of discipline chosen  in a particular case and/or the decision to impose discipline in a manner  otherwise, is solely within the discretion of the school district. Progressive  discipline may include, but is not limited to, informal discussion, verbal warning,  written reprimand, enrollment in professional skills enhancement programs,  suspension without pay, demotion, change in contract status or termination of  employment. 

III. Discipline 

A. Violation of School Laws and Rules: The form of discipline imposed for  violations of school laws and rules may vary from an oral reprimand to  termination of employment or discharge depending upon factors such as the  nature of the violation, whether the violation was intentional, knowing and/or  willful and whether the employee has been the subject of prior disciplinary  action of the same or a different nature. School laws and rules to which this  provision applies include: 

1. policies of the school board;

2. directives and/or job requirements imposed by administration and/or the  employee’s supervisor; and 

3. federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, including, but not  limited to, the rules and regulations adopted by federal and state  agencies. 

B. Substandard Performance: An employee’s substandard performance may result  in the imposition of discipline ranging from an oral reprimand to termination of  employment or discharge. In most instances, discipline imposed for the reason of  substandard performance will follow a progressive format and will be  accompanied by guidance, help and encouragement to improve from the  employee’s supervisor and reasonable time for correction of the employee’s  deficiency. 

C. Misconduct: Misconduct of an employee will result in the imposition of discipline  consistent with the seriousness of the misconduct. Conduct which falls into this  category includes, but is not limited to: 

1. unprofessional conduct; 

2. failure to observe rules, regulations, policies and standards of the school  district and/or directives and orders of supervisors and any other act of an  insubordinate nature; 

3. continuing neglect of duties in spite of oral warnings, written warnings and/or  other forms of discipline; 

4. personal and/or immoral misconduct; 

5. use of illegal drugs, alcohol or any other chemical substance on the job or any  use off the job which impacts on the employee’s performance; 

6. deliberate and serious violation of the rights and freedoms of other employees,  students, parents or other persons in the school community; 

7. activities of a criminal nature relating to the fitness or effectiveness of the  employee to perform the duties of the position; 

8. failure to follow the canons of professional and personal ethics;

9. falsification of credentials and experience;

10.knowingly violating the school safety requirements; 

11.unauthorized destruction of school district property; 

12.other good and sufficient grounds relating to any other act constituting  inappropriate conduct; 

13.neglect of duty; 

14.violation of the rights of others as provided by federal and state laws related to  human rights. 

IV. Forms of Discipline 

A. The forms of discipline that may be imposed by the school district include, but  are not limited to: 

1. verbal warning; 

2. written warning or reprimand; 

3. probation; 

4. disciplinary suspension, demotion or leave of absence with pay; 5. disciplinary suspension, demotion or leave of absence without pay; and 6. dismissal/termination or discharge from employment. 

B. Other forms of discipline, including any combination of the forms described in  paragraph A above, may be imposed if, in the judgment of the administration,  another form of discipline will better accomplish the school district’s objective  of stopping or correcting the offending conduct and improving the employee’s  performance. 

C. The school district retains the right to immediately discipline, terminate or  discharge an employee as appropriate, subject to relevant governing law and  collective bargaining agreements where applicable.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: 1001.41; 1011.42, F.S. 

LAWS IMPLEMENTED: 1001.51(7) & (12), 1006.07, 1012.27(5), 1012.31, 1012.33,   1012.796, F.S. 



History: Adopted: October 8, 2024 

Revision Date(s): 

Formerly: NEW