Standards of Ethical Conduct

SailFuture Academy values the worth and dignity of every individual, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurturing of democratic citizenship. Essential to achieving these standards are the freedom to learn and teach and ensuring equal opportunity for all students.

Our primary concern is each student and the development of their full potential. Employees will therefore pursue continuous professional growth, exercising sound professional judgment and maintaining integrity.

Concern for Students

Concern for students requires instructional personnel at SailFuture Academy to:

• Make reasonable efforts to protect students from conditions harmful to learning, or to their mental or physical health and safety.
• Not unreasonably restrain students from independent action in pursuit of learning.
• Not unreasonably deny students access to diverse points of view.
• Not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.
• Not intentionally expose students to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
• Not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
• Not harass or discriminate against students on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background, and make reasonable efforts to protect each student from harassment or discrimination.
• Not exploit relationships with students for personal gain or advantage.
• Keep confidential any personally identifiable information obtained in professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is legally required.

Professional Conduct

Understanding the importance of maintaining respect and confidence of colleagues, students, parents, and the community, SailFuture Academy employees will uphold the highest ethical conduct by:

• Maintaining honesty in all professional dealings.
• Not denying colleagues professional benefits, advantages, or participation in professional organizations based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, or social and family background.
• Not interfering with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities.
• Not engaging in harassment or discriminatory conduct that unreasonably interferes with an individual's professional performance or creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment. Employees will make reasonable efforts to ensure protection from such harassment or discrimination.
• Not making malicious or intentionally false statements about colleagues.

Training Requirement

All instructional personnel, educational support employees, and administrators at SailFuture Academy must complete training on these ethical standards as a condition of employment.

Reporting Misconduct

All employees have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and administrators that affects student health, safety, or welfare. Examples include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice, sexual innuendo, cheating, testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors.

Reports of misconduct by employees should be directed to:
Hunter Thompson, Administrator
hthompson@sailfuture.org
727-902-7641

Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be directed to:
Melissa Chapman, Administrator
admin@sailfuture.org
727-307-5855

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida-certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services.

Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct are posted in the cafeteria serving room and faculty break lounge, as well as on the SailFuture Academy website: sailfutureacademy.org.

Reporting Child Abuse, Abandonment, or Neglect

All employees and agents of SailFuture Academy have an affirmative duty to report actual or suspected child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. To report, call 1-800-96-ABUSE or submit a report online at: http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/abuse/report/.

Signs of Physical Abuse

• Unexplained bruises, welts, cuts, injuries, broken bones, or burns
• Withdrawal, depression, fear of going home, avoidance of physical contact, aggression, inappropriate clothing to hide injuries

Signs of Sexual Abuse

• Torn, stained, or bloody underwear, difficulty walking or sitting, genital discomfort, sexually transmitted disease
• Unusual sexual knowledge or seductive behavior, fear of specific individuals, withdrawal, depression, sudden weight change, avoidance of physical contact, running away

Signs of Neglect

• Unattended medical needs, inadequate supervision, poor hygiene, appearing underweight
• Frequent fatigue or hunger, stealing food, excessive need for adult attention

Patterns of Abuse

Serious abuse usually involves multiple factors. Single signs may not be definitive, but patterns indicate significant concern and should be reported.

Liability Protections

Individuals reporting child abuse, abandonment, or neglect in good faith are immune from civil or criminal liability under Florida Statute 39.203.

Employers disclosing information about current or former employees to prospective employers upon request are immune from civil liability unless information disclosed is knowingly false or violates civil rights protected under Florida Statute Chapter 760 (F.S. 768.095).