The Florida Virtual School,
Complaints to be investigated as general counsel resigns
which is facing “multiple employee complaints,” this week hired an outside law firm to investigate — and accepted the resignation of its general counsel.
The Florida Virtual School, faced with “multiple employee complaints,” this week hired an outside law firm to investigate — and accepted the resignation of its general counsel, Frank Kruppenbacher.
FordHarrison, a labor and employment law firm, was hired Sunday to make sure that FLVS complies with the state’s whistle-blower’s act, which protects public employees from retaliation if they report wrongdoing at their workplaces.
FordHarrsion, which had some preliminary discussions with FLVS officials, in an Aug. 9 letter to the chairman of the school’s board of trustees said the school is “in receipt of multiple employee complaints, which if substantiated,” might be within the scope of Florida’s whistle-blower’s law.
“FLVS must conduct a prompt and thorough investigation of the allegations and take appropriate action,” the letter said.
FordHarrison did not provide any details about the nature of the complaints in its letter, written by attorney Marilyn Moran.
She noted that during such an investigation, the names of the employees and information about their complaints must be kept confidential.
The trustees held an emergency meeting on the issue Friday and met again Sunday, when they voted to hire a FordHarrison.
That same day, the board also accepted Kruppenbacher’s resignation. When asked Wednesday about the investigation, he said, “I’m not commenting at all about the virtual school.”
Kruppenbacher, who is also chairman of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, added, “I had a great 18 years, and I decided I did not want to be there anymore.”
Megan Paquin, a spokeswoman for the school, declined in an email to discuss whether there was a connection between Kruppenbacher’s resignation and the investigation or to say who might be investigated.
“We are not able to discuss details of the investigation in order to protect both the confidentiality and integrity of the process,” she wrote.
A request to interview the
board’s chairman, Robert Gidel, was denied, with Paquin saying she would answer any questions. The trustees are all appointed by the governor.
The virtual school, often called FLVS, is the state’s public online institution.
Founded in 1997, it now serves more than 200,000 students a year who can take more than 180 courses online. The classes are free to Florida students. It touts itself as a personalized option for students who want to “succeed on their own time and schedules.”
Paquin said the board decided hiring an outside law firm was the best way to make sure the school complies with the whistleblower’s law.
“It is important to FLVS that our employees feel protected to come forward with concerns of unethical behavior, which is addressed in the FPWA,” she wrote. “FLVS takes these complaints seriously and is committed to a proactive
The virtual school, often called FLVS, is Florida’s public online institution. Founded in 1997, it now serves more than 200,000 students who can take more than 180 courses online.
process to ensure claims are handled in a thorough, fair and confidential manner.”
The investigation could take several weeks or more to complete, Moran’s letter said. Kevin Spear of the Sentinel staff contributed to this story. lpostal@orlandosentinel.com 407-420-5273