Ethics in Education

 

The Academy at True Sanctuary of Praise will conduct an employment history check for instructional personnel, school administrators or any position that requires direct contact with students.  The information received from the previous employer will be documented.  Any employee will be automatically disqualified from employment if he/she has been convicted of an act listed under 1012.315.F.S.

 

When an employee is dismissed, terminated or resigns in lieu of termination due to misconduct that affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student, there will be NO confidentiality agreement and the information will be disclosed if The Academy at True Sanctuary of Praise is asked for a reference.  All prospective employees will be screened through the Employment Screening Tool provided by the Florida School Choice, Department of Education.

 

All new employees must attend training provided by The Academy at True Sanctuary of Praise regarding ethical standards for misconduct that affects the health, safety or welfare of a student.

 

Duty to Report

 

Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators

 

All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student.  Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. 

 

Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to The Academy at True Sanctuary of Praise Director Nola Steen at 813-319-5862 or adunola.steen@tsopchurch.org

 

Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to President, Dr. Dwayne C. Perry at 813-748-5573 or Pastor.Dperry@tsopchurch.org

 

Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in the hallways and at the teacher’s mailboxes.

 

 

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect

 

All employees and agents have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect.  Call 1-800-96ABUSE or report online at http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.

 

Liability Protections

 

Immunity from liability in cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect

 

(1)(a) Any person, official, or institution participating in good faith in any act authorized or required by this chapter, or reporting in good faith any instance of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the department or any law enforcement agency, shall be immune from any civil or criminal liability which might otherwise result by reason of such action.

(b) Except as provided in this chapter, nothing contained in this section shall be deemed to grant immunity, civil or criminal, to any person suspected of having abused, abandoned, or neglected a child, or committed any illegal act upon or against a child.

(2)(a) No resident or employee of a facility serving children may be subjected to reprisal or discharge because of his or her actions in reporting abuse, abandonment, or neglect pursuant to the requirements of this section.

(b) Any person making a report under this section shall have a civil cause of action for appropriate compensatory and punitive damages against any person who causes detrimental changes in the employment status of such reporting party by reason of his or her making such report. Any detrimental change made in the residency or employment status of such person, including, but not limited to, discharge, termination, demotion, transfer, or reduction in pay or benefits or work privileges, or negative evaluations within a prescribed period of time shall establish a rebuttable presumption that such action was retaliatory.  (F.S.39.203).

 

Employer immunity from liability: disclosure of information regarding former or current employees

 

An employer who discloses information about a former or current employee to a prospective employer of the former or current employee upon request of the prospective employer or of the former or current employee is immune from civil liability for such disclosure or its consequences unless it is shown by clear and convincing evidence that the information disclosed by the former or current employer was knowingly false or violated any civil right of the former or current employee protected under chapter 760. (F.S.768.095). 

Civil Rights Act

 

The Academy at True Sanctuary of Praise is an equal opportunity provider and employer.  We do not discriminate on basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  If you feel that you have been wronged in this way please contact the USDA, Director, and Office of Civil Rights as listed below.

 

If you have any questions concerning any of these issues, please contact the school office at 813-319-5862. 

 

“In accordance with Federal law, and US Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.  To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410 or call (800)795-3272 (voice) or (202)720-6382 (TTY).  USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.”