Delray Beach Teacher Arrested In 2021 Now Facing Suspension In Unrelated Matter

BY: EDUCATION DESK | BocaNewsNow.com

DELRAY BEACH, FL (BocaNewsNow.com) (Copyright © 2024 MetroDesk Media, LLC) — Palm Beach County School District teacher Beth Rudolph — arrested in 2021 for theft — is now facing a suspension for improperly supervising a child.

Prosecutors ultimately decided not to pursue the larceny and fraud charges that BocaNewsNow.com reported on shortly after her arrest. Rudolph was permitted to return to her teaching position. But during the school board meeting set for Wednesday, officials are expected to suspend Rudolph. BocaNewsNow.com obtained a letter — signed by Superintendent of Schools Michael Burke — outlining her alleged violations:

“Based upon the 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 five-day suspension without pay from your position as Teacher of ESE Pre-K. I will recommend your five-day suspension without pay from employment at the Wednesday, February 21, 2024, 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.

On or about May 19, 2023, you became the subject of an Office of Professional Standards investigation based upon allegations of policy violations related to Allegation 1: Failure to Supervise/Safeguard a Student. Allegation 2: Failure to Maintain a Safe Classroom. Allegation 3: Failure to Supervise a Student Who Sustained Injuries without Reporting to Administration. Allegation 4: Failure to Follow Policy/Rule/Directive. At the conclusion of the investigation, the allegations were substantiated.

Therefore, these actions violate the following: Allegation 1: Failure to Supervise/Safeguard a Student, Policy 1.013(1), Policy 1.013(4) Responsibilities of School Personnel and Staff, Policy 3.02(4)(a), Policy 3.02(4)(b), Policy 3.02(4)(d), Policy 3.02(5)(a)(i) Code of Ethics, Policy 3.10(6) Conditions of Employment with the District, 6A-10.081(1)(b), 6A-10.081(1)(c), 6A-10.081(2)(a)(1) Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. Allegation 2: Failure to Maintain a Safe Classroom, Policy 1.013(1), Policy 1.013(4) Responsibilities of School Personnel and Staff, Policy 3.02(4)(a), Policy 3.02(4)(b), Policy 3.02(4)(d), Policy 3.02(5)(a)(i) Code of Ethics, Policy 3.10(6) Conditions of Employment with the District, 6A-10.081(1)B), 6A-10.081(1)(c), 6A-10.081(2)(a)(1) Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, Allegation 3: Failure to Supervise a Student who Sustained Injuries without Reporting to Administration Policy 1.013(1), Policy 1.013(4), Responsibilities of School Personnel and Staff, Policy 3.02(4)(a), 3.02(4)(b), 3.02(4)(d), 3.02(5)(a)(i) Code of Ethics, Policy 3.10(6) Conditions of Employment with the District, 6А-10.081(1)(b), 6A-10.081(1)(c), 6A-10.081(2)(a)(1) Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. Allegation 4: Failure to Follow Policy/Rule/Directive Policy 1.013(1) Responsibilities of School Personnel and Staff, Policy 3.10(6) Conditions of Employment with the District. There is “just cause” to support Beth Rudolph’s five-day suspension of employment without pay.”

Rudolph lives in Delray Beach and is now assigned to a school in West Palm Beach.