School Board To Fire Teacher, Bus Driver, Custodian; Suspend Technician

PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2026 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — A high school ESOL teacher accused of inappropriate comments and interactions with students is one of three Palm Beach County School District employees Superintendent Michael J. Burke wants fired next week.

A school bus driver and a custodian are also on the list. A fourth worker, a maintenance technician, faces a 10-day unpaid suspension. We note the Palm Beach County School District is not providing information documenting the schools or facilities where the individuals are assigned.

All four cases are on the consent agenda for the School Board’s regular meeting Tuesday, November 17, at 5 p.m. at the Fulton-Holland Educational Services Center in West Palm Beach. Each recommended action would take effect Wednesday, December 2. Each employee can still appeal, either through a union grievance or a hearing before Florida’s Division of Administrative Hearings. In every case, the district says an Office of Professional Standards investigation substantiated the allegations and that “just cause” exists for the discipline.

ESOL Teacher

Yosmani Lamorena Arencibia, identified in district records as a High School ESOL Teacher, became the subject of an investigation on or about August 18, 2026. The single allegation: “Inappropriate Comments/Interactions with Student(s).”

The district says the conduct violated its Code of Ethics, its policy on the responsibilities of district personnel, its conditions of employment, and the state’s Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. The board documents do not describe what was said, which students were involved, or where Lamorena Arencibia taught.

Burke’s Notice of Recommendation for Termination of Employment is dated October 13. Any appeal would fall under the Classroom Teachers Association contract.

School Bus Driver

Collin Bailey, a School Bus Driver I, faces two substantiated allegations: “Ethical Misconduct – Unsafe Operation of a District School Bus” and gross insubordination. The investigation began on or about September 2, 2026.

Among the rules the district says Bailey broke are its policy on the safe operation of district school buses, its acceptable use of technology policy, the “Wireless Communication Device” section of the district’s Safe Driver Plan, and three chapters of the School Bus Driver and Bus Attendants Handbook. The documents do not spell out what happened on the bus.

The superintendent’s termination letter to Bailey is dated October 20. Bailey’s appeal rights run through the Service Employees International Union/Florida Public Services Union contract, with the district citing the agreement’s progressive discipline article.

Custodian

Christopher Smith, a custodian, is recommended for termination on two allegations: “Disregard to Protocols for Paid and/or Unpaid, Short-Term Leave of Absence” and gross insubordination.

The investigation opened on or about September 11, 2026. The district cites its leave of absence policy, along with policies on employee responsibilities and conditions of employment. Burke’s termination notice went out November 2.

Maintenance Technician

Charles Falana, a Technician – Maintenance II, keeps his job but would lose two weeks of pay.

Falana was investigated beginning on or about September 11, 2026, for “Time/Attendance (Leave Without Pay)” and gross insubordination. The district says he violated its Code of Ethics, its leave of absence policy, and the sick leave article of the SEIU/FPSU contract.

According to his November 2 suspension letter, the unpaid suspension would run from Wednesday, December 2, through Tuesday, December 15, with a return-to-work date of December 16. Falana has until December 1 to appeal. If he does, the suspension is put on hold until the process ends. If he doesn’t, the letter says, “the facts as alleged shall be deemed accepted.”

The letter also states that the investigative report is complete and, along with the related materials and the superintendent’s recommendation, will be released as a public record upon request — minus allowable exemptions — 10 days after he receives the notice.