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Board OKs back pay for teacher

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By RONNIE BLAIR

rblair@tampatrib.com

Published: October 7, 2009

LAND O' LAKES - A teacher who successfully fought to keep his job after he was accused of assaulting a student will receive back pay for the nine months he was suspended.

The Pasco County School Board voted 3-1 Tuesday that the charges against teacher Jeff Bush were not sustained by the evidence they heard at his appeal hearing Aug. 21, and he should receive the back pay.

Chairman Frank Parker cast the "no" vote, saying that Bush "openly admitted" that he tipped over a 13-year-old boy's desk with the student still in it. Parker disagreed that the charges weren't supported by the testimony board members heard in August when they decided to let Bush remain employed.
Vice Chairman Allen Altman, who knows Bush, didn't vote or participate in the hearing.

Bush's case came before the board after Superintendent Heather Fiorentino recommended the Irvin Education Center teacher be fired because of a conflict with the student Nov. 20.

Bush has been reassigned to San Antonio Boys Village and the Juvenile Detention Center.

At the hearing, attorneys and witnesses for Bush described him as an exemplary teacher who snapped when the student repeatedly made profane remarks about his wife.

Reporter Ronnie Blair can be reached at (813) 259-7065.

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