BY: STAFF REPORT | BocaNewsNow.com
BOCA RATON, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2022 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A Boca Raton Middle School teacher accused of hitting students with a yardstick, pulling on their ears, and conducting other physical disciplinary action is expected to be fired by the Palm Beach County School Board later this month.
BocaNewsNow.com obtained the termination papers for Victor Lopez. Teaching at Loggers Run Middle School in West Boca Raton, Lopez was accused of making inappropriate physical contact with his students during the 2021-2022 school year.
In a letter signed by Palm Beach County Superintendent of School Michael Burke, the District writes: “On or about May 5, 2022, you became the subject of an Office of Professional Standards investigation based upon allegations of policy violations related to Allegation 1: Inappropriate interaction with students (physical and verbal), Allegation 2: Failure to supervise/safeguard students, Allegation 3: Failure to use professional judgment. At the conclusion of the investigation, the allegations were substantiated.”
“Based upon information presented to me, I hereby inform you that there is “just cause”, which can be substantiated by clear and convincing evidence, to warrant your termination from your position as a Teacher Middle Math 6-8. I will recommend your termination from employment at the Wednesday, September 21, 2022, School Board Meeting, which will be held at 3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, West Palm Beach, FL 33406. This action is taken in accordance with sec. 1012.22, Fla. Stat. and sec. 1012.27, Fla. Stat.”
Lopez was not charged a crime. The termination is expected to be approved during the School Board meeting on September 21, 2022.
