Florida principal at center of controversial paddling reappointed to the job: report

Empty Classroom ** OUTS - ELSENT and FPG - OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD ** — Gloda / Getty Images/iStockphoto
Empty Classroom ** OUTS – ELSENT and FPG – OUTS * NM, PH, VA if sourced by CT, LA or MoD **

PUBLISHED: June 16, 2021 at 9:30 a.m. | UPDATED: June 16, 2021 at 1:39 p.m.

A Florida principal will keep her job after a controversial video emerged featuring the principal paddling a child, according to a report by WFLA.

The Hendry County School Board approved Tuesday that Melissa Carter will remain as principal at Central Elementary School in Clewiston despite the Florida Department of Education finding probable cause to justify sanctions against her Florida educator certificate, WFLA reported.

A video surfaced in April showing Carter paddling a 6-year-old child after the child damaged a computer. The child’s mother recorded the incident.

Paddling children is against Hendry County District Schools’ policy, however, it is not illegal in Florida — the state leaves discipline measures up to county rule.

The state attorney’s office determined in May that Carter did not commit a crime, WFLA reported.

However, Florida Department of Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran wrote in a letter Tuesday that he found probable cause for sanctions against Carter, WFLA reported. Corcoran listed penalties to include reprimand, fines, probation, restriction of the scope of practice, suspension not to exceed five years, revocation not to exceed 10 years, or permanent revocation of her educator certificate.

Read the full report at WFLA.