'Disappointed': Chiles Principal on suspension after legal saga
Chiles High School Principal Joe Burgess began a two-week suspension without pay on September 11 after rounds of legal challenges failed, including a final one in the 1st District Court of Appeals.
"I am aware of the Court's decision and am disappointed by then Superintendent's decision to still place me on suspension," Burgess said in a prepared statement shared by his lawyer Steven Webster this week.
Burgess, who has an otherwise sterling personnel file as an administrator, was accused of violating district policy for paying teachers for extra work without documentation.
"It's a sad day for the parents and students in Leon County Schools when paying teachers for doing more work results in a two-week suspension of the principal," Burgess said in his statement. "If that's wrong, I don't want to be right."
The case was originally opened in July 2021 and closed in January 2022. Webster said they decided to take the case to the 1st District Court of Appeals after the suspension was upheld by the school board, and later, an administrative hearing judge.
The allegations were initially upheld by the Coppins Monroe law firm, which was hired by the school district to determine the validity of the case, which they did.
The investigation found "Burgess falsified district records by approving, signing and submitting payroll documents he knew (or should have known) were inaccurate." 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 LCTA contract.
Burgess filed six objections to the recommended order, including one saying the district did not prove he violated a policy. He also alleged there was no training on timesheet procedures and that the Florida Division of Administrative Hearings court erred by refusing to let Burgess introduce evidence of bias and motive on the part of Leon County Schools Superintendent Rocky Hanna.
Burgess has worked in the district for 25 years, previously serving as principal at Swift Creek Middle School and Springwood Elementary School, before being promoted to Chiles High School.
Burgess will serve suspension until Sept. 25. In the meantime, Assistant Principal Grace Bigelow will be in charge.
More: Leon County School Board emotionally rejects Chiles principal's appeal
Alaijah Brown is with the Tallahassee Democrat and can be reached at ABrown1@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Chiles High School Principal Burgess begins suspension after legal saga
