Remembering much of it, including the trip to the woods to meet a principal to give her some campaign signs. Oh yeah, and the campaign donations given to Pons in trade for building contracts including Art building at Killearn Elementary. Read the judge's entire recommended orderhere. Chisenhall of the Department of Administrative Hearings. This document, shown below, outlined every exception and explained why it was being rejected. What should WTXL be covering in this community. This is especially true, since Mr. Burgess is not the first principal in Leon county to manage these same funds previously used at Chiles and other schools in the county. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) Independent investigators hired by Leon County Schools recently recommended disciplinary action for Chiles High School principal Joe Burgess after finding evidence they say proves he paid employees in a way that was, quote, "grossly improper. "The Leon County School District does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, ethnicity . Chiles High School ", More:School choice expansion leaves Leon County Schools in $11.5M budget deficit, More:Florida school board advocates react to new term limit law signed by Gov. As such, he felt personally targeted when the investigation shifted to an entirely new allegation of wrongdoing once the initial allegation was disproven. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail regarding official business to the District or any of its employees. These related videos and comments expressed on them do not reflect the opinions and position of Leon County Schools or its employees." Comments (-1) Janet Mejia. Leon County School considers disciplinary action against Chiles High On the record Rocky admitted he falsified information to federal authorities, yet the school board has never held him to account. Chiles Principal Addresses Confederate Flag Incident - WTXL Chiles High School Principal Felt Personally Targeted by LCS Investigation. Please read the INSTRUCTIONS before uploading. Some of them received letters from Superintendent Hannah Wednesday saying they were cleared. "It is abundantly clear to me, as it has been for a while, we cannot wait for the staff and the superintendent to bring these policies forth," she said. Its HAVE. Give Light and the People Will Find Their Own Way. Youd have to be a complete idiot to think this is correct. His attorney, Stephen Webster, told ABC 27 quote "The district's refusal to provide a name clearing hearing only furthers his belief that this action is retaliatory.". If you're already a subscriber, thank you! VOTE OUT HANNA! Click HERE for the 2022-2023 Off Campus Lunch Pass Application. He went above and beyond in every way. Lawton Chiles High School Tallahassee, FL United States. The sports teams got to use every penny they earned with their games. This data is used to update the school profile, recognition at convocation and the honors senior page published in the Tallahassee Democrat. School Board Agenda Review, 6:00 PM Independent investigators hired by Leon County schools recently recommended disciplinary action for Chiles High School principal Joe Burgess after finding evidence they say proves he paid employees in a way that was, quote, "grossly improper.". Moreover, in light of the fact that timesheets were being submitted for the extra-duty, hourly work at issue, it is nonsensical for one to argue that he or she was unaware that those timesheets needed to reflect the hours that were actually worked," the judge wrote. Its part of the job. Did this jog your memory? "Leon County Schools is not responsible for the content provided on "related" and "promoted" videos that are accessible from our social media sites. Lets move forward and stop this pettiness, our kids need Mr. Burgess back at Chiles High School now getting the current administration ready for this next school year. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. The decision to suspend Chiles Principal Joe Burgess for two weeks without pay was upheld Tuesday night by the Leon County School Board. I agree this is a Witch Hunt that needs to get reeled back in because it is going nowhere. LOG IN. A law firms alleges that burgess improperly paid employees for extra duty work and falsified records pertaining to payroll documents. Webster filed an appeal on Burgess's behalf. Where are those records? Your email address will not be published. The Birds: A Modern Adaptation by Don Zolidis | Playscripts Inc. Rocky put Billy in a position of elementary director over the last number of years Billy was a high school principal. "We hired an external council to look at this matter and bring back a review of exactly what took place," Hanna said. The monies at questions are labeled Advanced Placement (AP) funds. Chiles High; Public Chiles Calendar; Visit Us. We will continue to work with our students and our community to provide guidance to all students, especially those who would act in such an . After listening to Steve Stewarts radio show this morning, it makes a lot more sense why Joe Burgess vehemently defended Kevin Pettis when many parents and players asked for an investigation into mistreatment of football players, financial discrepancies in the football program, and all around foul behavior by Kevin and his coaching staff. I would like to see some new board policies that really put these things in writing, incement, so that theres no ambiguity," Wood said. Hewas under investigation last year for allegedly misusing Advanced Placement funds to pay teachers and others for workthat wasn'trelated to AP classes, according to a report by the Coppins Monroe law firm, retained by the school board last Juneto investigate. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Im searching for Rockys motives, does he have a buddy with a personal grievance over football issues or maybe one who wants to the principal at Chiles? The lawfirm foundthat "Burgessfalsified district records by approving, signing and submitting payroll documents he knew or should have knownwere inaccurate.". She then walked off the dais and hugged Burgess, who was sitting in the audience, before leaving the building. "People want to play by the rules, but they need to know what the rules are.. Now this policy thats not in policy, and this procedure that doesnt apply, and this practice that every principal has done including Rocky Hanna is now worthy of a two-week suspension?" He has admitted this to a board hired attorney, Hank Coxe. A battle is brewing within the LCS District, stemming from allegations that Chiles High School's principal had misused funds meant to help AP students. Substantial concerns about Burgesss conduct with regard to a $10,000 payment to the Chiles High School football coach, Kevin Pettis. Ashlyn Laughlin - Pineview Elementary School, Baleasa Hill - Oak Ridge Elementary School, Rodrick Sailor - Sabal Palm Elementary School, Regina Browning, PrincipalErvin Alday, RETIREEKaren Atkinson, RETIREECatherine Baham, GHVerdell Hall, RETIREEElizabeth Heffington, Senior VolunteerBrenda Lee, RETIREEVanessa Rua, Adult VolunteerJosephine Sloan, SREY/RETIREE, Apalachee Tapestry MagnetSchool of the Arts, Tiffany Williams, PrincipalNicole Green, TOYAnthony Jones, Senior VolunteerSamantha Love, GHChristopher Seabrooks, SREYCurtis Watson, RETIREEFaith Baptist Church, PFE, Cassandra Poole, PrincipalJasmyne Holmes, GHLaTasha Jones, TOYDeborah Madden, RETIREEKatrinka Norwood, RETIREEKeTurah Poole, SREYGeraldine Williams, RETIREE, Marcus Scott, PrincipalShawn Ackerman, GHPatricia Biehler, RETIREEShigella McGriff, SREY FINALISTAlma Parker, TOYCynthia Prescott, RETIREEJennifer Williams, RETIREE, Delshauna Jackson, PrincipalBlondie Bennett, RETIREEThecla Brown, RETIREEWanda Daniels, SREYClara Hampton, GHIra Johnson, Senior VolunteerConstance Manning, RETIREEShanterria Robinson, TOYAnthony Williams, RETIREETallahassee Sunrise Rotary Club, PFE, Billy Millard, PrincipalJennifer Brown, SREYFinalistNorine Mitchell, GHRachel Ryan, TOYCharlie Velazquez, MentorHobbit American Grill, PFE, Staci Mortham, PrincipalBernice Brown, RETIREEMarie Burns, RETIREESharron Dollar, SREYAtricia Goode, GHCathy Healy, RETIREERonald Frederick, Senior VolunteerJamie McBrearty, TOY, Michael Holmes, PrincipalErin Adams, Adult VolunteerTracie Davis, MentorJaneen Hall, TOYJohn Herzog, GHFrank Pondexter, SREYLester Stephens, RETIREE, Joe Burgess, PrincipalMegan Abbott, TOYWilliam Buchanan, RETIREEHarold Cheeseborough, SREYStephanie Hart, Adult VolunteerLeisa Johnson, RETIREESherri Kelly Kawagoye, RETIREEJeffrey Lightfoot, RETIREELucy McKee, Youth VolunteerRebecca Robinson, RETIREEKate Strickland, GHLisa Strickland, RETIREELaura Vaughn, RETIREE, Sarah Hembree, PrincipalTiffany Davis, Mentor DISTRICT WINNERWendi Davis, GHBrent Hartsfield, Senior VolunteerMiatta Jalaber, Adult VolunteerMaureen Parrott, TOYAva Williams, Youth Volunteer5 Star Pizza, PFE, Jason Koerner, PrincipalClaretha Florence, SREYValencia Hallowell, TOYPam Jameson, Senior VolunteerBarbara Myers, RETIREEAsia Ross, GHSS&P, PFEDISTRICT WINNER, Stephen Mills, PrincipalJenny Carter, Adult VolunteerDianne Jackson, RETIREELinda Johnson, RETIREE /TOYFinalistVictoria Lightfoot, RETIREEBryan Miller, Youth VolunteerJoseph Miller, GHCarol OConnor, RETIREEDorothy Twyford, SREY, Michele Keltner, PrincipalSarah Ashley Bennett, TOYCarol Bird, RETIREEJohn Croley, MentorPorshe DuPont, GHJames Branson Hurst, Youth VolunteerDISTRICT WINNERJessica Milton, Adult VolunteerLeJina Payne, SREYFinalistErma Sever, Senior VolunteerElite Sporting Goods, Small PFE, Brooke Brunner, DirectorShelle Cooper, RETIREELeslie Freeman, RETIREEVicki Young, RETIREE, Dr. T. Alan Cox, Asst SuperintendentJoyce Delaney, RETIREELisa Kane, RETIREEPamela McComb, RETIREE, Danny Allbritton, DirectorDavid Akinsanya, RETIREELise Baggs, RETIREEKaren McCurley, RETIREE, Rusty Edwards, PrincipalJennifer Cameron, TOYAlphonso Dorsey, SREYAmanda Farrell, GHJason Fauble, MentorGrace Frances, Adult VolunteerPhillip Hannah, RETIREEMark Weismantel, RETIREEEmerge Church, PFE, Kim Banks, Asst. Chiles High / Public Chiles Calendar - Leon County Schools "The Leon County School District does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex (including transgender, gender nonconforming, and gender identity), marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or genetic information." The administrative hearing will most likely say the same thing and nothing will happen to the person that has been accused. . None of this work is, but we're going to get the job done.". Chris Burgess (born 23 April 1979) is an American former professional basketball player and current assistant coach for the Utah Utes men's basketball team. Its sad that a seemingly good person like Joe Burgess got involved in this. These related videos and comments expressed on them do not reflect the opinions and position of Leon County Schools or its employees." Before deliberation, board member Dee Dee Rasmussen saidthe case had1,132 pages of transcript and 1,762 pages of exhibits. Note: While demographic information must be collected in compliance with federal requirements, individual responses are confidential. The duties for which he was paid AP funds were also included in his base pay. But Joe is done with him and I expect will have some damaging testimony for DOAH. Chiles High School Principal Felt "Personally Targeted" by LCS Chiles High School principal Joe Burgess says he felt personally targeted when he learned he was being investigated for the second time after he put to rest initial allegations related to the use of school funds. Thats when it was decided to send it to the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings. View Map. His level of involvement, integrity, and devotion is beyond my expectations as a parent. Instead, contact the District or individual employee by phone or in writing." 1:04 A state administrative law judge this week agreed with the Leon County School District's decision to briefly suspend Chiles High School Principal Joe Burgess. Are you sure you are not confusing the leadership of Jackie Pons with the now current Superintendent. Webster asked in a phone call with the Tallahassee Democrat. This is not easy. Leon County Schools on Instagram: "Congratulations to Chiles High School @chilestwolves principal Joe Burgess for being awarded the November LCS Principal of the Month! Instead, contact the District or individual employee by phone or in writing." Welcome to the Chiles High School Website. Based on information about potential misconduct related to the misuse of funds at Chiles High School, Leon County School Superintendent Hanna requested an independent investigation in June. The recommended order upheld by the DOAH judgeagreed withLeon County Schools' decision to briefly suspend Burgess for two weeks for "misconduct in officeand/or willful neglect of duty.". Lawton Chiles High School is building a tradition of excellence by providing the best learning environment where students are challenged to be active learners, leaders, achievers and contributors within a global community. Now, Burgess is taking his own action against the district. He is a man of integrity and he is an exemplary principal. Why the voters let this slide in 2020 is still a mystery. 19662022 Bond Elementary School. All seniors must respond. Principal Burgess is extremely disappointed to learn that his request for a name-clearing hearing with the District has been denied. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Phoenix. Comments (-1) Tammaela Carter. The district denies there has been more than one investigation. Tuesday, the Leon County School board voted to send the appeal to the Division of Administrative Hearings prior to any District disciplinary actions. 2023 www.tallahassee.com. Wood said this decision was difficult for her and everyone else on the school board, including the superintendent. Please click HERE for our Principal Statement and Three Goals for Lawton Chiles High School. ABC 27 reached out to Chiles High School Principal Joseph L. Burgess, who said that their assistant athletic director will reach out to address what they are allowed to by district. Leon County Schools board membersearly Monday morningrejected Chiles High School principal Joe Burgess' objections to a suspension that was upheld by JudgeG.W. Back story:Chiles principal loses challenge of his two-week suspension by Leon County schools. #Enough: Every Fifteen Minutes Chiles High School Joe Burgess, Principal Megan Abbott, TOY William Buchanan, RETIREE Harold Cheeseborough, SREY Stephanie Hart, Adult Volunteer Leisa Johnson, RETIREE Sherri Kelly Kawagoye, . Maybe we should start an investigation into the failure of the district to follow its own policies. As such, he felt personally targeted when the investigationshifted to an entirely new allegation of wrongdoing once the initial allegation was disproven. Principal Burgess is a man of integrity. 2023 www.tallahassee.com. No commentary included. Frankly, I dont understand why it had to come to this. Chisenhall, the DOAH judge, said the case "is an example of how the ends do not always justify the means Burgess had a system enabling him to dole out unauthorized supplements without any oversight. 0:00 0:08 The week before classrooms reopened to students, Lawton Chiles High School had two employees test positive for COVID-19, and Principal Joseph Burgess is urging the Leon County. If anyone should be suspended it should be Rocky. Important Information Burgess was reprimanded with a two-week suspension without pay, but wants a chance to prove his innocence. This kind of investigation does little more than harm the very students that LCS are supposed to be looking out for. He is approachable at all events and cares about the success of the students. To hold one person at fault, when obviously there arent sufficient policies and procedures in place for everyone to follow, is just wrong. Chiles High / Homepage - Leon County Schools Please click HERE and HERE for "Taking Care of Your Chromebook". Check your students grades and attendance from your smart phone! This is a time to speak up and show support. Tallahassee sisters tie for high school valedictorian - USA Today Chiles High School Hires New Boys, Girls Basketball Coaches "But the court said that was beyond(its) purview. There was insufficient evidence to conclude that Burgess violated any law, policy, rule, or directive regarding the use of AP project funds. Please answer all the questions that apply and be honest. I forgot my password.-Scan from inside the One Drive app on iOS and Android- Unofficial Transcripts: click on "Grades" in your FOCUS account and print the "Grades" page. Contact Ana Goi-LessanatAGoniLessan@tallahassee.comand follow her on Twitter@goni_lessan. Hanna has denied he violated district payroll policywhen he was a principal at Leon High School. Any time there was an issue you could expect to be listened to, to have the opportunity for discussion, and to solve the problem putting the school first. Chiles principal Joe Burgess fights a 2-week suspension for falsifying At issue was. The 2023 ESE Parent Survey window is now open and will remain open, Lawton Chiles High School is building a tradition of excellence by providing the best learning environment where students are challenged to be active learners, leaders, achievers and contributors within a global community. Check your students grades and attendance from your smart phone! Please ask each school board member for a response. Becausehourswerenot tracked,itis impossibleat thistimeto confirm thateventhe minimumnumber ofhours needed were actually worked. Whatever shakes out I hate the thought of losing Joe Burgess from the school district, he will be snapped up quick. All rights reserved. I pray that is not what is going on here a vendetta by Rocky. "Leon County Schools is not responsible for the content provided on "related" and "promoted" videos that are accessible from our social media sites. Office Hours - Monday thru Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Visitation Information-Click HERE for important information regarding the visitation procedures.CDC Guidelines - Please click HERE for more information.InClass 2021 -Please clickHERE for more information. School board member Alva Striplin recused herself from the vote as soon as chair Darryl Jones called the meeting to order. Stephen Webster, Burgess' lawyer, said that while thedistrictalleged Burgess didnt keep accurate time cards,the district did not have a procedure that said the way Burgess was keeping records was wrong. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. You got that right. . Later, in a statement to reporters, Chiles High School Principal Joe Burgess said, "we do not condone these actions and though they were made by Chiles students, it is not a reflection of our student body. Chiles High School principal appealing suspension over misusing funds, his lawyer says, How football lifted Chiles' Josef Marlow beyond living with autism. If Rocky was a Republican our local leftists would be squealing racism and searching the Hanna family tree for slave ownership. The Leon County School District does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, age, sex (including transgender, gender nonconforming, and gender identity), marital status, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or genetic information., Second Chance at Ghazvini Learning Center, Success Academy at Ghazvini Learning Center, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESEParentSurvey, https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ESEParentSurvey_HC, Parents Helping Parents: A New Approach To Getting Troubled Kids Back On Track | WFSU News, 2017-2018 School Public Accountability Report, Nondiscrimination & Contact Information for CTE Programs, How to Update YOUR Parent Contact Information, School Choice Status in your Parent Portal Account, Having problems with CLASSLINK? Copyright 2002-2023 Blackboard, Inc. All rights reserved. Verrone. "I wanted to run away from this. Julie Baisden, GHKyle Callahan, SREYJan Cook, Senior VolunteerBambi Jackson, RETIREEJune Moberly, RETIREEAshley Prosser, TOYFinalist, Scotty Crowe, PrincipalGabrielle Ahnberg, RETIREEWanda Brown, RETIREEGussie Sherman, RETIREEKathleen Sherman, Senior VolunteerDieonne Smith, RETIREEKasey Sprague, SREYMary Stuart, RETIREECarrie Thornton, TOYMichelle Vasquez, GHMason Walker, Youth VolunteerRebekah Weldon, Adult Volunteer, Desmond Cole, PrincipalPatricia Gavin, RETIREESusan Howard, REIIREEJoshua Johnson, GHDaphne McClain, RETIREEEarl Moore, RETIREEBeverley Rines, RETIREEBeverly Remland, Senior VolunteerCheryl Wimberley, RETIREECity Church, PFE, Jane Floyd-Bullen, PrincipalLisa Bartholf, Adult VolunteerCaroline Cara Edenfield, TOYRuby Gilyard, RETIREERonnie Herring, RETIREERykia Jackson, GHGloria McCloud, RETIREEAltamease Miles, SREY /RETIREE - Finalist, Zelena OBanner, PrincipalAllison Agbasoga, GHMaliek Denmark, Youth VolunteerChristin Ellrich, TOYStacy Troutman, SREYRuby Walker, RETIREE, Dr. Rhonda Blackwell-Flanagan, PrincipalSusan Fordham, RETIREENikki Glenn, SREYVernisha Howard, GH FINALISTNancy Oakley, TOYMary Jo Peltier, RETIREERudean Rogers, RETIREEJennifer Siddoway, Adult VolunteerSouth City Foundation, PFEWINNER, 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Burgess filed six objections to the recommended order, including that the district did not prove he violated a policy, that there was no training on time sheet procedures and the court erred by refusing to let Burgess introduce evidence of bias and motive. Out of all the misspent funds by local elected officials past and present and some of the top administrators, etc this is a joke. Burgess, however,saidhe was not violating a clear policy, that the school board didn't prove they trained him on a clear policy and that he was unaware of violating a school board procedure thatsays it'sthe principal's responsibility to review records for accuracy and approve them. AP funds are awarded to high schools for each student in each advanced placement course who receives a score of 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination. Leon County Schools board members early Monday morning rejected Chiles High School principal Joe Burgess' objections to a suspension that was upheld by Judge G.W. Leon County Schools on Instagram: "Congratulations to Chiles High This is basic English. Rocky is the one that needs to go. This is in response to Hope, Rocky Hanna is driven by vendetta. All rights reserved. Principal Burgess has served ourschools with distinction, as historically evidenced by the unparalleled rankings Chiles High School has achieved, as well as a proven track record under his leadership as principal at Swift Creek Middle School and Springwood Elementary. However, the investigation also found there is insufficient evidence to conclude that Burgess violated any law and the districts guidance on the issue can be unclear at times. Misuse of Funds Allegations at Chiles High School Results in District TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) - A battle is brewing within the Leon County School District, stemming from allegations that Lawton Chiles High School Principal Joe Burgess had misused funds. Now are you saying that a very good black principal has to be guilty because Hanna says so. When white racism goes completely unchecked - Hobbservation Point Misuse of Funds Allegations at Chiles High School Results in District-Wide Audit. A great leader sometimes has to make tough decisions. The 2023 ESE Parent Survey window is now open and will remain open until June 30, 2023. There was in most cases no expectationthat employees wouldtrackor submittheir hourlytime. Street Address 7200 Lawton Chiles Lane Street Address Line 2 - City Tallahassee State Florida Zip Code 32312 District Leon FNS Region Southeast Regional Office School Phone (850) 488-1756 Total Enrollment 542 School Website - Grade Level Grade Levels Grade 12 School Type School Type High Staff Contact Information Team Nutrition Leader Name School Board Business Meeting. Principal Burgess has my support in his efforts to clear his good name. And for some teachers, the investigation found that their extra work and pay was not outside of their regular duties and therefore was in violation of the collective bargaining agreement. Read the judge's entire recommended orderhere. PDF INVESTIGATIVE MEMORANDUM - Tallahassee Reports A state administrative law judge this weekagreed with the Leon County SchoolDistrict's decision to briefly suspend Chiles High School Principal Joe Burgess. That for nearlyallemployees authorizedtoengagein hourly work utilizing AP project funds, [Principal] Burgess falsified District records by approving, signing, andsubmitting payrolldocuments he knew (or should have known) wereinaccurate.