INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — The Indian River County School Board voted 4 to 1 in favor of suspending a teacher for seven days without pay, although during discussion three board members were in favor of going further and firing the teacher.
The teacher’s suspension was discussed during the School Board’s business meeting April 12. And while the School Board did not name the teacher, supporting documents in the School Board’s agenda identify the teacher as Xiomara DeLuke of Gifford Middle School.
School Board members Shawn Frost, who cast the lone dissenting vote, Claudia Jimenez and Charles Searcy said this was the second incident and they didn’t want DeLuke returned to the classroom.
Discussion noted that no physical violence took place, but Jimenez said the alleged emotional violence to the adolescent student and the students who witnessed it “is just as bad.”
The adolescent has been removed from DeLuke’s class, Superintendent Mark Rendell said, and she has not been returned to class.
DeLuke had been removed from another school and placed at Gifford Middle. The school district had instituted an “improvement plan,” which Jimenez said “was obviously not enough.”
School Board Chair Dale Simchick pointed out the teacher could not be fired at the April 12 meeting because Rendell brought forth a recommendation to suspend — not fire — the teacher. According to the teachers union contract, notice of firing must be given and a hearing held if requested.
Assistant Superintendent William Fritz said he made the recommendation to suspend and not fire because the union would likely win if the case went to arbitration and such a loss would result in the teacher being placed back in the classroom. He suggested adding more training and coaching to the improvement plan.
School attorney Susanne D’Agresta noted the union contract states the improvement plan includes professional development to effect changes in behavior, which the teacher would have to complete to the satisfaction of Superintendent Rendell before returning to class.
A final motion passed that suspended DeLuke without pay for seven days, and takes her out of the classroom with pay while she undergoes professional improvement, with another review by the school board before she is placed back in the classroom.
