Michael M. Krop Senior High School. The board took action because of a February incident in which Menelas went to Madie Ives K-8 Preparatory Academy after receiving an email from a teacher, Patricia Costa, that his son was being disruptive and poorly behaved, according to the ruling by Administrative Law Judge John Van Laningham.
Menelas spoke to Costa's class and apologized for his son's poor behavior. He then directed his son, identified in the ruling by the initials T. Menelas then spanked the boy with the belt in front of the class, according to the ruling. After the class, Costa reported the spanking to an assistant principal, and the school board ultimately alleged that Menelas violated a district policy against corporal punishment.
Yet, there is no basis in the record for the undersigned to make a finding that Menelas would have acted any differently under the circumstances if he were an accountant. In his ruling, Van Laningham wrote that there was overwhelming evidence shows that Menelas's position as a teacher was entirely irrelevant to his conduct in this situation.
Costa's classroom that day as T. The unique facts at hand compel the undersigned judge to conclude that Menelas who was neither on duty nor at his worksite during the subject incident, and who, as a parent, had been invited by his son's teacher to observe his son in her class cannot be disciplined for violating the corporal punishment policy," wrote Van Laningham.
Under administrative law, Van Laningham's ruling is a recommended order that must go back to the school board for final action. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida contributed to this report. Featured Local Savings. More from CBS News. Man's body pulled from Doral canal. Man fatally stabbed on Miami trolley; suspect in custody.
