FORT PIERCE — The parents of a student who was repeatedly molested in 2008 by a volunteer reader at Morningside Elementary are suing the convicted sex offender for civil battery and damages.

Anthony J. Tripoli, 69, is serving life in prison after being convicted of sexual battery on a child less than 12 by a perpetrator older than 18, and lewd or lascivious molestation.

The victim’s parents, listed in their negligence lawsuit as “R.H.” and “L.H,” also named as defendants the St. Lucie County School Board, Big Brothers Association of Florida and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of St. Lucie, Indian River and Okeechobee counties.
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Superintendent Michael Lannon

For Lannon, who called the event a “goof-off day,” the answer is the classroom.

“School comes first,” he said. “We don’t have days to give away.”

It would seem, despite some harsh criticism from employees who planned to participate in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, that many in the school district support that position, even if they were irritated by the last-minute notice.

Messages of “Wow — Well done!” “Amen!” and “Bravo” hit Lannon’s email account today, along with lengthier responses decrying how many activities already take away from time in the classroom and how casually some students regard attendance.

“I had five classes half empty today. I wonder how many of those children were actually at work with their parents!” one teacher wrote. “So many allow their children to stay home on a frequent basis or take them out for long weekends to Orlando and Miami, or for week-long cruises and family vacations. Then they contact us and expect us to help their child ‘catch up.’” (more…)

St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon sent this memo to his employees Thursday, explaining why he prohibited them from participating in Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day:

Everyone is owed an explanation for my decision of yesterday to notify our employees that as a business entity we were not a participating business.

I had no idea until nearly 5:00pm yesterday when someone simply made a comment toward the conclusion of our regular executive council meeting, that they knew of someone planning to engage in the event. My choice at that time was to inform our employees or ignore what I believe to be a negative impact upon school time, of which there is already far to little. I chose to remind us that we are not participating as an employer.

It was my decision to notify all employees that we are not a participating business and that our job is to encourage student attendance every day in their regular classes.

My decision flows from my beliefs that: (more…)

FORT PIERCE — St. Lucie County Schools Superintendent Michael Lannon prohibited his nearly 5,000 employees from participating this year in the national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, calling it a “goof-off day.” Here are some of the responses the school district has received:

From a math teacher:
I totally agree with everything you wrote regarding “Take Your Child…..”. Thank you for voicing your thoughts and concerns so clearly and succinctly. You didn’t ‘beat around the bush’. My 18-year old daughter had asked me every year throughout her elementary, middle and part of her high school years if she could come to work with me on “Take Your…”. I always refused. I consider my responsibilities too critical to be distracted by her presence. I am sure that she would have been perfectly behaved so behavior is not the issue. When I am at school, my focus is on our students…their safety, their academics, etc. Refreshing. Thank you!

From a dean:
I was caught off guard by the phone call at 6:00PM last night concerning the “Bring Your Child to Work” day. The phone call said don’t bring them and that SLCSD does not participate in this activity. I did not bring them because my employer no longer allows it. I followed the directive. However, I am not happy with the way this new policy was communicated to me the evening before the event. My two children were really looking forward to coming. We have been planning this day for months. We were all very disappointed. I hope that events like this that are cancelled will be done farther ahead of time in the future.

From a teacher:
My child is in tears right now, along with many other children because he can not go to work with me in my classroom…shame on this decision. (more…)

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