scHooLSIJPFfi NTtr,NDEN OF SCHMLSALEXIS'I]IBtsE I"I'S. Ed.D.

1tATTORNEY T(}TI{E BOART)

C. JtilI"Rt Y McINNI!i.l;sq.

TO:

FROM:

DATEI

RE;

DISTRICT OT'OKATOOSA

Inve$t-igative Su.mmary Report

Dr. Alexis Tibbetts

Superintendent of Schools

Mr. Arden E. Farley -Program Director - Equity

l4ay t7, 2AI2

Complaint of Conflict of Interest, Ethics Violations,

Possible School Boal'd Policv Violatlons

Grievant: Mr'. Rob English

Candidate for School Eoard

COUNTYBOABDMEtr4BERS

CINDY FRAKESCHIJCK KELLEYCATHYTHIGPEN

il[ELlSSA TI{RUSHRODNEYL. W,dLKER

and

Respondent: Mr. Bob lones

Principal Crestvie.,, High $chool

I; Introductign

1. The follow-ing inforrnation summarizes the lnvestigation regarding

allegations of conflict of interest, ethics and possib,le School Board

policy violations by the principal. The investigation included several

Nun, 1i14,e,_ conversatlons with the grie\rant, respo-ndent and potential witnesses-

'i;ri';;';i "- A total of nine (e) indrviduats were intgryiege4. The potential

Tft t 6f€,\) wltnesses inclurded,educatsrs, co€ch, guidance counselor, and a union

Jon;e s5E<R€Trtt( ADI{rNISrR{IION COMTLEX.T$ LOWERy pIlrCE SE.rfr(XI WALTON Bf,ACIt, FT]ORIDA 3tt t8

?ELEPIIONEGS) fir3-tlm rAr( (8Ct) 8X},'.t{3(

ae; lV 5 rsrt{tA9 c*BvEn}trLt lDMINIsrBArroN coMPLEx'{61 w' s(xlool AvENUE4RESIvIEw' FLoBiDA tlt-sdv.vbt u t )..,---- TtrLEpITONE{S50)$+AHFAX{r$}689_?rfl

Ar cR€5r.rr6*r +l,brt ,.-;;:;' ; )),r'o',,, q, t6.r,.r:T1At)t1vr,.o *? Ef,TftEfttELY NAil-Rlu'-i !-NdEcri G*'T

rdDresentatjve. Respondent Bob ]ones deni:es,all a,tlegations of

conflict of intel'est, ethics and School Board, policy violations. Grlevant

Rob English informed Investigator Farley that he dld nqt have,any

witnesses to suppott his allegations.

In determining whether the allegations consHtute conflfct of interest,

ethics and possible School Board policy violations, th€ totality of the

circumstancesr the nature of tfie conduct, and the context in which the

alleged conduct occurred was considered.

2, A conclusion sf gmfiffied means there was sufftcient evidence to

conclude a violation had taken glace,

A conclusion of unconfirmed means there was iqsufficient evide o

conclude a violation had taken place.

I.l; Alleg?tlons r RFSponsq$

Grievant Fnglls,ht,Alleg.atiqns (reference email $-unday, April 29, 2012

to Board Members and Superintendent):

.rgn the 10th of April, as I was putting School Board candidate petitions

in , I noticed several ofter-Egllglgg.ln the

boxes for Catn, TntnOn and, ltsavne HarrisJhat had agglgllgplonthem @ Bob Jones, The cover letter asked teachers

and staff to slgn the petitions., This is a serious ethical issUe. since Mrs.

ThlgPen is a in the $ain of commatsl of

the pr"incipal. I believe the board votes on hiring principals. The

orincioal is in direct chain of comman-d for his

-

-

teachers and staff and

has hi:ringlfiring authority over the people he is requesting,to s-ign

petitions. Additionally, he can see whg siqned petitiqni and who didn't

which could influence the relationsh and

ggpJgI$. This is a serious violation of ethics and puts inappropriate

3oPeltrsoAJot- l ct'T,rJlr

u5E05rcne'I/tAtI 5c$eot-

ResusrLcc

€utfLoltEEt \..go*etirne in March, cathy Thigpen aske.d nlgif I cou'ld distrihut-eRoorrrofg

* ^o"".:.''."=-:-:::-::

--^-L.:^...

r.t!-r+ F+lhrr o^,{ r }tavrg hNvv I trv-

.!' " - Cafldidate Petitions for her at CresWlew fligF. Cathy and I have been

5* sood jiglg:for rhe past ?4 vears and r have hry get

the signatures needed by givinE the petitions t?teachers at Tv SEhOPI'

fll!*,rcFs€ i:r-,"y,thatottre@hat tor trer and otne[ candidates,ato'Er

Lrst ilFr ) ,qT- glgglg" Cathv gave rne aJist of names that $he felt would support

," fiils !, ftt- v t

d not b-e opposed to signing E petition. In order to g7jdESfSA@'5:{$V € iTt l'ATdher and woulr

explain the process, I attached a Srnall piece of paper to each petition

asking them if they would sign the petition and leave them either in a

box below the teacher's rnail hgxes or put them in my inbox oy fiSecrzl<ryr} desk in the front offlce. The notes were made at home on my

computer. printer, and paper. After putting them out, I realized I did

rotlzttthe teachers to think I was checking on who signed them so

tfiem put their response in a manila envelop€ by her" desk.

iiiX"t*a the signed petitions and them to CathY" After I

pfCssure on the principal to please the Schoot Board mernber's

petition.*

Repnondenf Jpnes :Respo$se; to Alleq9tiong:

discuss who had or had not slgned tfi€ffi, Cathy eame by and picked

tup the signed Betitions a few days later"'

ptaced them in the mailboxes, I did not see them ,V)2*Jttl.*.no iA"a

which teachers signed and which,ollss:did not andfil hnilI d"id not

NOTE: During a discussion with Investigptor Farlery, Principal lones

acknowledged he Put a si@ for W

f,{arris, ca:ndidate fior- Cognty-lCqmmissjong1-The cover letter: fiilr Cathyt-

"--- ------' -

Thigpenstated the following;

,.,. t or TAJEST l b.4TE{LJ F1 D, tN l++Tr Ua *tQE , wHy

"Bear Colleague,EfiltLt./€€g $A€l.)'T-

Lo LLE46)E 3

Pt,u c tP$t-

LerrsL dNPrrrctw

Cs,,te/

PAett"trt 6 , --?-TP StLeP

-i

Teacher Lounge."Surr*^1

Cathy has aske{me--to place this petition in your mailbox because-glg

-

believes vou will help her sut gi!g.$" Please@ }ttlgr,nf,€

g,r put it in the box in the tr)oTAau PL

Boar{ Ltgm?er CatherineJhigpen,statement: 4 . :

*'I a,sked my fr:iend of over ?0 years, Bob lones, to help rhh cotlbct " *

-

"Detitignso, EtIl alternate method of qualifying, for me, Catherirfe S.

Thigpen In March. With ou} scfiedules I *as finally able to deliver

petitions to Bob o-n Sundalr, April I after our ch'ut'ch seruice. At ffiat

time I knew tr only needed ahout 30+ petitions so we talked about

people at Crestview Hig,h School and neighhor:s that wsuld possible LlrT.-qfN&fne s

sign a petition and I made a list. tr picked the enveloBe with lrl)l name N utT

fF ,Jsf@oDrrrfPrflnotuJftAtE TN

oI';u':,::*'-FQOAL

ilon it fr.om Crestview High School a few daYs later,"

f . Adminislr:a.tiye Seqretary

,. * "The petitions were placEd in the teacher's b-oxes after school hourc, A:, large envelope was availahle fOr any employee whd elected"tb

participate. to Blace thei completed petition in the'envelope that was

kept,on the coun,ter beside my desk. M'rs. Thigpen came by the office

a few days later and collected tfte envelope. At no time was Mr. Jones

involved with the handling of the petitions after me original placement

in the teaqher'5 bsxes, nor did he influencg anyone in any way. He 'was never aware of who completed petitions, or how many petttisns

were returned.

NOTE: Duning a discusSion with InveStiga,tor Farley, Se€retarvGf"tr- t t t 'Yrv' ; stated she could not state for le

0J aT ?i;rvilwl ,. , : - -

^. riaaiaar r^,",ae had a frr

P6f t'rtor',,1-l

f6 &ethe box- Mrf stated she was qertain that Frincipal Jones had a fult

-P,.:7

-r,0 a^Xu: fr'srLt D t' " scttoor- t+ooA

'

"

PAoouulFarl $-NU€sr16{rF

4

dE 08,$T PN (*oU'"i- €lr/LaY€ES 7-o AuoA/LtSH 0ottTt(At^

kcr { urr/ PurA,^l & 0orY &f c."r4j

oNlv f or*EJ{f\fi€A)leu'e0rtT Ll€5"Nwil$ r{.,rfl

X f$p*tu)t)ocu lteAoerLl ,Jtto.lrJ AJDT EO€rJ

6ot^i L r l- €u Pt e{EK Fat PelSoO*t- / P*tn (*L C""fu r'E F €4PtpY6€t rp4t)7 fo ll0 rT vtTtlerL &wAJ Ctlrr4sl',r

#tleOui* itre OaV the ped*ons were'put in the box and Principal Jones

h,^!r,was in his office when she left wor-k at the end sf the school day' ? r Ne

Potential Witnesses (Educato Coach Guidance Counselor, Union

a

- The potential witnesses stqted they either didn't see the

petitions in their box or were not impacted one way o-r the other

by the Principal'S coYer letter.

several potentiat witnesses stated their focus was ofl FCAT and

nqt the llterature/petition$, in their boxes.

A Creswiew High School guidance co$1selo!'was aske{ bY

lnvgsf,ioator Farlev to ask teachers about the oetition with the

cover letter in regards to potential dissention. The guidance

counselor repOrted bacl< ta hvestiga-tor Farley that based on the

individuals she talked to, there was Ro discussion or dissention

about the eandidate petlttons that contained the cover letter

frorn Frincipal Jones.

Representativd) Fddd hack :

f$ursrt 6ftfil5 -

{o6, ;)

III:: Discussign

School B.oard Policy 6-12 POlitical Activlties, ,6-4 Use of position

for personal gain/noil-school purpose, provides as follows:

. (a) Support shall not be soticited for any political

SELAATtAY Otd candidate, partisan or nonparHsan, or for any issue on any

c) oAu- o"J frl ( J referendr.rm matter by any district ernployee ot'any other

Do/t tp t, 1rO ofLY* perso6 during work hours on distr-ict property. This does

t"tO.rA; not prohihit political i:nvolvemq.nt after work hours'

r (b) Employee mailboxes shall be, a,vailable, after prior

eoordi'nation with the prineiPfVsupervisor' to politica|

Do €tt/t0Lo{E€l$nte To $rGe-cEo €eaTo ffi k ca,'':FLtcT

c€ CFJrE&s ?

5 kt,ru.6k5t-

b:Prz-rh so(.f (

614PtyYaES ToI t,l,+lv ? ?

candidates or their representatives for thirty mi'nutel$ at

the close of the ernployee,work day for the distribution of

carnpaign matertals. All such: materials mu* comply witfi'

applicable state and federal laws,

(a) Employees of the district are prohlbited ft"om using

School District Froperty, facilities, regular work hours, or

students for purposes other than the direct and f.aithful

fulfrllment of their emp{oyment obliEations wlthout the

express written permission of the Superintendent or

deslEnee. Violationof this provislon constltutes

nrisconduct in office and may result in the termination of

employment.

lvr sufnnn*ry

The,re was no evidence that, Princlpal Jonas put petitions in

the school boxes during duty time- There was no err:td6nce

that school facilities o-f r€souFC€s were used by Prlncipal

lones in preparing the petitions for the teacheds box.

Ba.sed o-n testim'ony of those employees (who stated they

received a petition with a cover letter) underPrlnclpal

Jones supervision, they felt no coerrion in r€gards to the

cover letter on the petltions. The majority of the

indivlduals interwiew'ed stated they were unawar€ of the

cover letter on the petitions.

To minimize:, d perceptio-n of impropriety, Pr:incipa,l Jones, (if

he receives a request from a candidat€ io the ft ture to

place rnateriel in staff mailboxes) strould ensure that his

t,l rril G{rrtl^Jd, ( f tAt N (" /:n*reP)

pcvert Lssur,0

€o/\ ed i dr$Lr ArQ SenAZ$'rdu LF EaK

(pn I tr(g\

rT

4 9lsc-i€tL 6

Grrgo//t{U

!

'' s name'ls Egt on a cover letter. In addition Principal .Iones

should ensure that'the collection site for the petitions is in

the teachers'lounge only and not have an alternative site

by his secretary's desk.

V: Cpnqlusion

BaSed On all available testimonies, thett wis Ro evldence to confirm

Principal Bob Jones violated School Boardlstate Pliees in regards to use o'f

his posttion for personal gain, conflict of interestn and The Code of Ethics.

VI : Re,coillmendations

r Investigation closed as unsubstantiated

. Grievant R.ob English and Respondent Bo,b,Iones have been

advlsed they may file a u$&trSEpeaj to the

superintendent of schools, Dr. Alexis T.lbbes within ten

(10) calendar days of receipt of this investigative repott'

Program Director, Eguity

Cy to:

Mr; Rob Engllsh

Mr. Bob ]ones

Yag 'REPORTING VIOLATION$ oF EQUTTY POLICIES: PROHIBITTNGDISCRIM}NATION AND HARASSMENT

0q)

lruvesr k=,/ttry(HAo fr46-

6r^11 6PfAFe(L

PHon:r 15l'lqt, rTr{ or*eLl1A Rgu'l

Violations should be promptly reported. The Board ensures prorflpt investigationand appropriate action. Confidentialitv consistent with the Board's legal obligationwill be,respected. Wnen??reG lects to utitize the procedure s6t tortf,ln thispolicy for seeking relief for alleged violations of Equity Policies, violations must be

leporte{ by filing an Equity Complaint (D) below or, F-ornnal Eqr:r$ Grievance (E)below. Violations rnust be reported within forty-five (4g) calendar days of the d,atethe complainan,Ugrievant knew or shsuld have known of the event(s) g,Mng rise tothe alleged vio.lation" When a bargaining- unit ernp,toyee elects tir utiiize theprocedures for seeking relief under the Masiereontract, the ernployee must followthe procedures and time requirements set forth in the fulaster contract.

(B) Any form of retaliation againstany ind!-yidual involved in an investigation of alfegedviolations of Equity Policies or other Board policies, including but not limited to,complainanls/grievants; charged parties, andwitnesses, i$ strictly prohihited. Otherthan casEs of (C) below, fifing a report alleging violations will not refleet,upon thecomplainant's status nor will it affect future emp,loyment, evaluation, or worlcassignment. CCImplaints of retaliation are filed via process named herein.

(C) A substantiated case of a fuise clalrn in which the c,omplainant in bad faith, willfullyor intentionally wr-ongly accused another, shalt result in disciplinary action, and maybe cause for termination as willful misconduct. Complaints of'false cJainns arereported as listed in {A),above.

(D) Equity Complaint - An applicant employee, or volunteer may request (verhalty or' in writing) the opportunity to discuss an alleged violation with theI princ.ipal/department director unless that ind'ividual is the subject of the complaint"

ln that case, the cornplaint $hould be filed with the District Equity Contact forinf0r,mation in matters perta,ining to the Equrty Plan and/orthis palicy. The name,address, and phone number of the contactshall appear on all notiees of this policy.Other persons acmpkble to both parties may be included in the discussions.

{E} Fonnal Equry Grievance - A wrjtten allegation officially made by an appticant,volunteeror distt ict employee stating there has been action or inaction on the basisof race, color, sex, ag,e, r'eligion, nationalorethnic origin, maritalstatus, or.disabilitywhich constitutes discrimination or harassment and whici was eommitted at thework lo-cation or underwork conditions, circumstanees, situations or otherwise withinthe sc-hool system's scope of responsibility, the individu,at fi'ling the,grievance shallbe refened to as the grlevant. The indivjdual(s] charged with and/or havingresponsibitity for the :alleged action or inacJion :shall be refened to as th,el"espondent. The procedures for filing a formal grigvance relative to discrimination

(1) $teP 1

zo

'' y' ' {a} Grievances must be dozu:mented, in writlng, on 'Doeumentation ofForrnalGrievance" - MIS 5'139, and delivered to:individualewhomtheSuperintendent designates to serye as District Equihy Contacts forinformaiion in matters pertaining to the Equity Flan andlorihis policyWthin forty-five (45i calendar days of the date the grievant knew orshould have knCIwn of th:e event(s) givlng rise to the alleged violation.

g;ayrywq*n Snl P) The Superintendent shall dgsig.nale 1Di.tt,:l Equity C.ontact for

fr,t ffi ru*r f;:lg.[i]'[E;.},?,ffi-;f"T''#r'fiHiffiY.xlltj*i'JJif#ll%T(1I TYPE aF . l[ii,'Jttifr",.ti5,=

hr,rffi";C@fri

i rr r, 0 e,^r r b e nLv ;l #Iff ffliihl X:'|.T,::L xs -"Tfi X J,ffi,',;J'if il?fi'

"" rfi :l?:

,t - t ll violation could constifute a continuino violation or a oattern or sracticeb.t f,a.dsr 44t [$*f,ilT:i-tf}}Ilfr: : trJIl#111J*i;T;:X[1X?[T;l?:]:;Aq ^flg4

and fashion appropr:iate remedialretief. Wthin fifteen,{15} eatendartrt I r;r ' I

' n u

.. , days of the close of the investigation, the Disffict Equity Contact shall'

ect+Bor- r'* ,'H:il*?,nj;:yfx;##IiHJJixl$:ffixll%;=li,1y,HJ:; ::6fWgg fi Vf r."Jt in finding_th* Fqqf .qo!!V has been violated ,and aisciilinary

r++,s L^r,4ulil'f ^ fii.",ft:"TJi{n1r-,'Eo':il::effinl,ii::ElH"'}ixm !.?

s^ u E br 164l€0 :,[XflffiX5?Ji,,xl3'&X;,HH* Xr'f;##iJ:fiffi*T5,;'l'"L .t At The time periods in this sub-section (b) may be extended at theTo0^14ft"\'

rlt ({\ GJ+{0,ujlVfl discretion of the District Equity Contact'for ihformation in matters L€AD5A*". . , , r-crJ pertaining to the Equrty PIan and/or this polioy, should an extension A) of *nfr*", .. ,., *iJ pertaining to the Equity PIan and/or this policy, should an extension 6J cf

. -"rlLd Hsrtr I :' *i^^,'r'e

9:qq:=yino'd:,_t9 ?n:u.le_,a$!+HdW fot-vouutr r HLrv' SDP E j il&;t,,"t tilffiffiriiin;il1)'vtt - t

- .

itr/ Af \)U- - - lllti lJlD.tltutEqultytrulltcl9tD, l€lllglvsll9l,lf.itit(t^, r1r . u

.. *'1. extension is deemed necessary. ln determining whether alleged

&o * L-srrEL ffiTffi#ff;=ilf;#;fr:;TI,' lii'Ifrfril:l,li';Y'il;ffiidlffiI't - ..rt/ circumstances, the nature of the conduct, and the context in which the

tru& (SU" t '- alleged.conduct occuned will be investigated.

'r;nn^\ gsrsAJe /L .*-nr"ouing the investigafion, the District Egurty contact may consider

lJ OT .*JJLI|r9f l bl(fEa rccomriending th:e SuBerintendent temporaiily .ras*ign the grievantor the charged party.

(2) Step ll

(a) The grievant and/or charged par!trr may file a wrltten appeat to theS,uperintendent or hislher deiignee wfthin ten (10) ealendar days ofreceipt of the: disposition at Step l.

27

"Wifithurst,Linda

,,from: ,,SsnkTo:

Subjactl

Rob English [3engtish@fairpoint"net]Sunday, April29,2012 10:13 PMBoard - Frakes; Board - Kelley; Board - Thigpen; Board - Thn"rs-h; Eppe6on,, Teresa; Tibbetts,AexisComplaint ol Confliet of lntsrest, Ethics Violations. and Possible $choql Poliry Motations

FROM, Rob English7435 Hruy 85 NLaurel [Iill, FL 32567

SUBJECT: Complaint of Coqlflict of Interest, Ethics Vio'lations, ard Possihte Schsol Policy Violations

TOt OkalossaComty School Board and Superintendent

On the lOe of april, as I was prtting school board cardidate petitions in teache's distributiou boxes, I noticedseveral other petitions inthebqSas for Harris that had a cover letter on them fromthe principal, Eob Jones' Tlg,cover tett€r,aslod teachers ard to sign the.petitions. This is a mrious,E:thicalissue since , r-{rs, Thigllen i* a curreat school board:mernber in the c .[r of oommand of the pdrcipatr, I believethe board \{otes oa hiring principals. The princlpal is in the direot en:rrn* of eommand for his teachers, and staffaud has hiri4g/fring:authority over the people he is requestieg to sign petitions. Additiondly, he sffn see whosi,gned petitions and who dtdn't whi.ch could influence the relationship,bptween eraployor and amplqyee. Thisis a serious vis-lation of ethies and puts inappropriate prcssura on the frineipal to please the schosl bo'ardmemler, and even more pressure on teachers and staffto comply with the prineipal's request to sign the sehoolbomd me-mber's petition.

Alss, it, is vcry possible that school resources were used to write, pr-int, distribute the petitions and covcr letcrsand recovor them. This possibly violates school pqlicjes 6-4#$ 6-12 (A), 9,11 (A), and others along withethical vialations.

I requestthe school board and:superintendsnt conduet an investigatioa iuto these facts and advise me of tberesults of the investigation and action taken. Please advisE me inmrediately as to yow course of action, Yournay contact me at the above addresq ernail: Senetish@.faifopint.SeL orphone: 850-652-1990.

Rob EnglishCandidats for chsol Bsard Disfrict 4, Okaloosa County

HarleY, Arden

Frtm: I$ent:To:$ublect:

lmportenco:

Rob English [Ssnglish@fairmint. net]Morday, MayS7,201n 1;57 PMFarley, ArdenCornplaint

High

Mr Farley

I dontt think we were comffunicating well urith our discussion todalr. Let me try to simplify. ls it ok forsomeone's boss or higher up in the chain of comrnand to ask an emp-loyee to do work for them outside theirnormaljob? Would it be ok for a sitting schoot board member to ask a principal to mow their yard? ls it ok fora slttingrschool board member to ask a principal to get petitions forthem {it does involve effo-rt nol {irectlvtelated to theJo,h, possibly printing petitions, placing thern in boxeg, makirq return boxes, reeovering them,

etc..")? Also-, qualifuing by petition saves the candidale about 51309 pg there is yalue,in s.isned.Pe.titiong.

Now, oncethe principal is 4put on the spof'by a supeiiorto do w,prlio.utside the offi,c,E (supBosedly), is it ok

for the principal to put his ernployees on the spot and ast them tq sign et'rtioqs wheF the ne gnv,alUq;for:Ihgschoo!b,otrdmemFqf? lsitrightlethicalforeithersuperiortoputtheiremployees"onthespofand ask them to do sornething outside of work that'benefits {in this case there is mon€tary value) the highest

superior? Also is that the dshtlethrgale$pJoyp€&rnpfry Does it foster a prgfessional wo-Ik

fetqtionshio? f,ould it be seen as undue pressure to do sometting the principal or their emplofees don't want

to do, wouldn't do if it uasnit a superior asking them to do it?? ls that a,conflict of interest? ,Qges aEy of,thlsin ?ny n{qv,yiqlate policv. ethiep, qr hind;er a rrpfesSjpqla-l}ryprheqvkpnmqrlt?

Alss, remember.there was ansther cover tetter fof another sittins Flp€lell sfficill" Wavne H,arrts, C,ouFS

Commissioner. That is part of a thorough investfiation and how the principal got invohred and why is

impor:tant. Do yrru 'have the eoler letter? Did you talk to anyone about this? Again, a thorough 'investigationbeyor*d tfre ferrr rnain cftaracters is impor"tant l t-hink the employerlemployee part of this is ctitical'

Finallry, remember these petitions could ha\re been put in boxEs with no cover letter oriust a letter withinstruc-tions as to how to fill them out.

Finding the answers to these questions w€s central to the eomplaint. Making sure the complaint is thoroughly

investigated and questioning many of those involved to include the teachers/staff asked to sign petitions is

central tod€termining:whether ttris hinders the professional work environment.

Rob English

Candidate for School Board, Di$trict 4 Okaloosa Cou,nty

iFron.r'Ssnt:To:,SubSct:

lmpo*ance:

Rob English [Sengrish@fairpaint.net]Tueeday, May 08,2012 *33 AMFarley, ArdenRe: Cornflaint

l{Eh

Just to rnake sure, is there some kind of confidentiallty for anlone who domn't want their name to be known

if they want to allege a corfiplaint or be witness to a eomplaint o that your trqss or anyone up the chain

cannot take action against them? tlow does that process rlrork? Oo you tell people you talk to about thatprotess? Sometimes people are afraid and eonfidentiatrty hetps get to ground truth on what took plaee or is

taking place.

Rob EnglishCandidate for School Board

Fnqn: Eob-fuqlishSen$ Tuesday, May 08, 2012 7:01 AMTo: farhvAter#ail.okatoosa. krZ.fl .us

slbject! Re: Complaint

Additionally, did the sehool board member ask any other prtncipals, assistant Brincipals, or other authority

figures over those below them (personalh or through another contact) to help get petitions signed. Like the

oiher issues, a sigprificant reBresentative sarnple is required for a thorough investigation, not just one other

school. Again, this is one of the large issues-*using your positlon of power to get work done for you that it not

job related and that specifically beneffts ygu per,sonally.

I do expect a full, thorough, honest, impartiat investigation vvithout presture frorrr your superiors even though

you work for the school adrninistration

Rob'EngtishCandid,ate for School Board:

Frpm: Bob EhglishSen* Pfonaay" Ptay OZ, 2012 1:57 PM

To: fa rleya@mail.o-ka loosa. k12. fl . us

$bj€cd Conrplaint

Mr Farley

l don'tthink we were com,municatlng well with our dl$anssion today. Let me try'to simplifu" ls it ok for

sorneone's boss or highel'up in,the chain of command to ask an employee to do Wf[for them outside'their

lrorfitdl jo.b,? Would iibe ok fcr a sitting echool board member to ask a principal to mow their yard? ls it ok for

a siming school board member to ask a principal to get petitions for tlrem {it does involve +ffpft nqt dirpc-tlV

i"gf+gd"to the iot. possibly printing petitions, placirrg ttrerh in bbxeS, rnaking return boxes, recovering them,

etc."J,? AI liryine by petition saves the candidateBnout tltpg so,, there iS valge in.;iqqed p:ltitlQ0?' .

Now" once the principJl is "put orr the spof' by a superior to do qetk outside the offi.Fe {supppsedly}, is it ,ok

ror the principal to put his,ernployees on the spot and ask them to sign petitions wlre.n the.petitio,'fls hAVg

vatue fof the schppi hoafC meqnbe(? ts it right/ethical for elther superior to put their emBloyees 'on the spot'

.and askthem to do something outside of'work that benefits {in this case there is monetary valtle} the h'tghest

srrperior?.Also is that the fishU.ethicat emrlqyee/-emolqveJ rglationship? CIoes it foster a Pfo,ftssional wort

Jelptig-qlFhip? Csuld it be seen as undue pressure to do something the principal or their ernployees don't Want

io do, wouldntt do,if it wasn't a superior aslcing:them to do it?? ts that a:cglt-flict ,of ipterqst? Doep anv of "thiiin anv ryav vhlate policv. Pthiqg., Er,,hiE$q,r a ptPfessio{rql we{k qnvir,onr.Enti

Also. remembelthe!.e was anothet cover letter for another sittine elected offici3l. WaYqls Hqrris. Countv

GommissionEr. That i.s part of a thorough investigation and h.ow the ptincipal got involved and why is

impgrtant. Do you have the cover letter? Did you talk to anyone about gtisT figain, a thorough inwstigation

beyond thefewrnain characters is important. I thinkttre ernployer/emplolee part of this lscritical.

Finally, rernember these petitions could have heen put in boxes With no cover lefter or iust a letter with

inskuc ions as to how to fill thern out.

Flnding the ansurers to thcse questions was centraL to the complaint. Making sure the complaint is thoroughly

investigated and questloning rnany o-f those inwlved to include the t-eachers/staff asked to sign petitions is

central to deterrnining whether this hinder: the professional work environment.

Rob EnglishCandidate for School ,8oard, District 4 Okaloosa County

, Et ley;Ar{eniF,ronr:' * Rob Engllsfi [SenglFh@Catrpolntnetl$enl:To:$u$ecf,

Tuesday, May 08, 2912 2:24 PtilFfrey, AlldenRe: Rd: Gqnplaint

I.tn Farley

Thanks forn the re$inder but I don''t think tfiat anst{er1s Oy last questlons on confidentiality.Please respo.nd to the qlai} again. I knou these €mails are puhlic record and I don't have aproblem with that.

Rob English

. * --.-Original l{essageF:rofi: Far'ley, At rdenSent: Tuesday, iiay 08, 2O!,2 1O:42 AIt

$u$'ect: Read: CE-mplalnt

Under Flor.lda latr, e,-fiall addr.esse! ar€ public rgconds. If you do rpt xantyopr e-maiL addrres neleased in response to a publlc r€cords r€quest, do notsend electnonic mail to this entity. Instead, cont€at th,is off.l.ce by phoneon in r*rrttlng.E-tttail necords are public records under F]onida Law and in gcnenal, 3F€notexemt from publtc-records requil.ements. In the €vert yo{r' ne$p.onss Gontal.nslnformation that rnay be consj.dered sensltlve or confi.dentlal Bursuant toFederal or gtata Ian, please do not send that in{nornation via e-maitr; pleasEcontact me to rake alternatlve arrange$Ents.

' '. ::::l

t. .

:.':t, r!. .'.; :.. 1.. r. :i . "-.t...

.:.4.

j :...ii.'