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Manatee County School Board votes 5-0 to terminate food-service worker after frontal-hug incident
Summary
The School Board of Manatee County voted unanimously Jan. 21 to terminate food-service worker David Gray after an administrative law judge found he hugged an elementary student from the front for more than 30 seconds, violating district policy and prior directives.
The School Board of Manatee County voted 5-0 Jan. 21 to terminate food-service worker David Gray after reviewing an administrative law judge's recommended order and district exceptions.
The decision concluded a personnel appeal filed under Florida Statute 120.57 arising from an incident the district says was captured on video showing Gray embrace a young elementary student from the front for roughly 30 seconds. The board accepted the superintendent's exceptions to the administrative law judge's recommendation and approved a final order terminating Gray effective Jan. 21, 2025.
District attorney Erin Jackson, speaking on behalf of Superintendent Wysong, told board members the video and the employee's record supported termination. "The video clearly shows that Mr. Gray approached the student ... and then he proceeds to…
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