3211 - WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION

The Board expects all its employees to be honest and ethical in their conduct, and to comply with applicable State and Federal law, Board policies and administrative procedures. Pursuant to State law, the Board expects employees, agents of the District, and independent contractors who have entered into a contract with the District to report any violation or suspected violation of any Federal, State or local law, policy, or regulation committed by any employee, or agent of an agency or independent contractor which is doing business with the Board, which creates and presents a substantial or specific danger to the public's health, safety, or welfare. Additionally, pursuant to State law, employees, agents of the District, and independent contractors who have entered into a contract with the District are expected to report any act or suspected act of gross mismanagement, malfeasance, misfeasance, gross waste of public funds, suspected or actual Medicaid fraud or abuse, or gross neglect of duty committed by an employee or agent of an agency or independent contractor which is doing business with the Board.

It is the responsibility of an employee, agent of the District, and independent contractor who have entered into a contract with the District who is aware of conduct on the part of any Board member or employee that possibly violates Federal or State law, or Board policy, to call this conduct to the attention of the Board Attorney.

A report shall be made in writing. Any employee making such a report shall be protected from discipline, retaliation, or reprisal for making such report as long as the employee made a reasonable and good faith effort to determine the accuracy of any information reported. Employees are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, for purposely, knowingly, or recklessly making a false report under this policy. Conversely, employees are subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination, if they are aware of a violation of Federal, State, or local law that the Board has the authority to correct and they do not make a report confirmed in writing to the Board Attorney.

If the alleged misconduct that is reported involves a Board member or the Superintendent, the Board Attorney is hereby authorized to engage outside counsel to conduct the investigation concerning the alleged misconduct. If the conduct involves the Board Attorney, the employee, agent of the District, or independent contractor who has entered into a contract with the District shall report the alleged misconduct to the Board Chair.

Upon receipt of a report made by an employee, agent of the District, and independent contractors who have entered into a contract with the District pursuant to this policy, an investigation shall be facilitated by the  Board Attorney consistent with the administrative procedures related to this policy and the procedures described in F.S. 112.3189.

Revised 10/9/18
Reviewed 4/25/23

© Neola 2009