TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Former Teacher Jailed On School Trespass Charge

ADVERTISEMENT

By MIKE WELLS | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 31, 2008

Updated: 01/31/2008 02:36 pm

A former Hillsborough County teacher was arrested Wednesday, accused of trespassing at Madison Middle School, district spokeswoman Linda Cobbe said.

Lori M. Ford, 37, of Odessa, was stopped by a Tampa police officer when she entered the campus, at 4444 W. Bay Vista Ave., according to an arrest report.

Police said Ford insisted she be allowed to teach in "Room 36." When she refused to leave, the officer arrested her.

Ford was charged with trespassing and obstructing an officer, both misdemeanors. She was in Orient Road Jail this morning. Bail was set at $750.

Ford had been given several trespass warnings, Cobbe said.

Ford was hired in August 2000 as an assistant reading teacher at Webb Middle School. The following year she was promoted to the position of English teacher. In July 2006, she was transferred to Madison as an English teacher.

In April, she was suspended without pay over "serious concerns with her instruction and management of students," Cobbe said.

A month later, Ford returned to the campus and was issued a trespass warning, Cobbe said. She returned three additional times, not including Wednesday.

Her personnel record contains complaints of insubordination and refusal to follow policies and that she showed a "physical and mental incapacity" to perform the duties of job, Cobbe said.

A termination hearing is pending, Cobbe said.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT