Teacher fired in scratching incident
Four students report that the first-year teacher grabbed a student's arm.
By TOM MARSHALL
Published August 31, 2006
SPRING HILL - A Nature Coast Technical High School teacher has been fired after an incident in which witnesses said she handled a student roughly, officials said Wednesday.
First-year biology teacher Patricia Rice was dismissed Tuesday afternoon after four students independently reported that she grabbed another student by the arm Monday, scratching her, said principal Margaret "Tizzy" Schoelles.
"Four independent students wrote reports indicating she had her arm on the arm that was scratched," she added.
Those witnesses said Rice then brought the student and another classmate into a closet to discuss the situation privately, Schoelles said. "Both situations are compromising for any professional."
Under state law, schools can dismiss teachers without cause during their first 97 days, said Barbara Kidder, director of labor relations and professional standards.
The law also requires teachers and other caregivers to report potential abuse. Schoelles said she called the state Department of Children and Families' abuse hotline Monday to report the incident.
"Rice was in my conference room all day yesterday," Schoelles said Wednesday. "She did not have contact with students yesterday."
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office is also investigating the incident, "and there's no pending arrests," said spokeswoman Donna Black.
Kidder said the incident could result in the district's filing a report to the state regarding Rice's teacher certification.
The state Department of Education Web site shows that a Patricia M. Rice received certification July 1 to teach biology in grades 6-12.
She was not a member of the Hernando County Teachers' Association, said president Brian Phillips. The union might not have been able to do anything about her firing, he said, but it could have offered support, particularly if teaching credentials are challenged.
"We encourage them to join right away," Phillips said. "Because you never know what's going to happen."
Rice could not be reached for comment on the incident.
Tom Marshall can be reached at tmarshall@sptimes.com or (352) 848-1431.