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Highlands Today

Teacher Was Suspended For Unauthorized Internet Test

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By MARC VALERO

Highlands Today

Published: December 4, 2008

AVON PARK - An Avon Park High School teacher was suspended one week in May for asking two students to test the school district's Internet security.

Following an investigation by the Florida Department of Education's Office of Professional Practices, the School Board of Highlands County released a brief statement regarding John Altic's suspension.

The science teacher was involved in an incident where two students were asked to access a "prohibited Web site" in order to test the district's Internet security, according to the district.
Altic was suspended without pay (May 21-27) for the incident, which occurred on May 16.

The district referred the case to the Office of Professional Practices, which took no further action.

According to the District Technology Plan, classroom teachers are responsible for teaching proper techniques and standards for participation, for guiding student access to appropriate sections of the district's network and for assuring that students understand that if they misuse the network they will lose their privilege to use the network.

Firewalls are software barriers to unsolicited or malicious network activity as well as being a barrier to unauthorized users of a network, the policy sates. The district's Management Information Services Department maintains its own firewall as an added protection against malicious use of the district's network.

Also, the school district reports there has been no word yet concerning the Office of Professional Practice's review of another case involving an Avon Park High School teacher.
Social studies teacher Terry McCormick was suspended without pay from Oct. 28 through Nov. 3.

During an active investigation, the school district and the FDOE release no information related to a teacher's suspension, including what prompted it.

Marc Valero can be reached at 386-5826 or mvalero@highlandstoday.com

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