(Adapted from the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida)

At Lake Forrest Preparatory School, our primary concern is the student and the development of the student’s potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity for each student.  In keeping with this commitment, our instructional personnel:

1. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
2. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
3. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
4. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student’s academic program.
5. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
6. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student’s legal rights.
7. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, or disability and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
8. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
9. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.

Recognizing the importance of earning and maintaining the trust and respect of colleagues, students, parents, and the wider community, all school employees are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct. This commitment means that employees: 

1. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
2. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, disability if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits, advantages or participation in any professional organization.
3. Shall not interfere with a colleague’s exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
4. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual’s performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
5. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.
6. All employees, educational support, instructional personnel, and administrators are required as a condition of employees to complete training on these standards of ethical conduct.

All instructional personnel and administrators are required as a condition of employment to review and sign these standards of ethical conduct annually. 

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 on misconduct of employees should be made to Michele Purvis (Principal), Kirstie Schweiberger (Assistant Principal), Tiffany Blake (Preschool Director) or Danielle Hutcheson (Business Manager) by calling 407-331-5144.

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affect the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in the copy rooms at each campus and on our website.

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment or Neglect

All employees have an affirmative duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. Call 1-800-96-ABUSE.

Penalties for Not Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect

Under Florida Statute 39.205, knowingly and willfully failing to report known or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect to the central abuse hotline—or preventing another person from doing so—is a felony of the third degree. This offense is punishable by up to 5 years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

The Florida Education Practices Commission can impose strict penalties on an educator’s certificate and professional standing, which include Florida Statute 1012.795: [1, 2]

• Certificate Suspension or Revocation: Suspension or permanent revocation of the educator’s teaching or administrative certificate. For a second or subsequent offense of failing to report, the certificate must be suspended for at least 1 year.
• Administrative Fines: Fines of up to $2,000 per count.
• Disqualification List: Placement on the state’s disqualification list, preventing the individual from being hired or contracted at any public or private school participating in state scholarship programs.
• Written Reprimand: A formal written reprimand placed directly in the educator’s certification file.
• Probation: Placement on probation, which includes mandatory supervision, payment of administrative monitoring costs, and completion of additional courses.