0029-96
STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
AND
PROVIDENCE PLANTATIONS
COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
ROGER RENZI
VS.
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
DECISION ON REMAND
Held: Penalty is reaffirmed.
DATE: DECEMBER 13, 1996
Mr. Renzi was dismissed from his teaching position at the Adult Correctional Institution on October 13, 1992 based upon a finding that he aided and abetted an escaped convict by harboring him. On December 1, 1994 the Commissioner of Education sustained Mr. Renzi's dismissal and at the same time annulled Mr. Renzi's teaching certificate. On May 14, 1996 the Board of Regents sustained Mr. Renzi's dismissal but remanded the case to the Commissioner to reconsider the question of the annulment of Mr. Renzi's teaching certificate.
We read the decision of the Board of Regents as indicating that it has concluded that we should reconsider the penalty we have imposed in this case.After due reflection we have reached the conclusion that the previously imposed penalty should stand.
Revocation of Mr. Renzi's teaching certificate is justified by the fact that teachers have a duty to inculcate the principles of morality and virtue. G.L. 16-12-3. Moreover, teachers are expected to serve as exemplars for young students.Mr. Renzi's ability to carry out these roles is inherently compromised by his improper actions which caused his dismissal from the Adult Correctional Institution.
By sustaining Mr. Renzi's dismissal from his teaching position at the Adult Correctional Institution the Board of Regents has implicitly found that Mr. Renzi:
1) As a teacher employed by the Rhode Island Department of Corrections and thus subject to the Department of Corrections' Code of Ethics and Conduct for All Employees, specifically Sections III, IV, and V(15) and (24), Mr. Renzi associated with an escaped inmate of the Department of Corrections, i.e. James Beach, on various occasions from June 22, 1992 through and including June 25, 1992.
2) As a teacher employed by the Rhode ISland Department of Corrections and thus subject to the Department of Corrections' Code of Ethics and Conduct for All Employees, specifically Sections III, IV, and V(15) and (24) Mr. Renzi aided and abetted an escaped inmate of the Department of Corrections, i.e. James Beach, by harboring him in Mr. Renzi's personal vehicle and attempting to elude Rhode Island State Police Officers on or about June 25, 1992.
Based upon these findings the Board reached the conclusion that it was not appropriate for Mr. Renzi to be teaching adult prisoners at a correctional facility. If this is the case it would seem, a fortiori, that it would not be appropriate for Mr. Renzi to be teaching children in the public schools of Rhode Island.
Conclusion
The penalty previously imposed in this matter shall stand. After the expiration of 5 years from the date of this decision Mr. Renzi is given leave to reapply for a teaching certificate. He will be required to show by clear and convincing evidence that he is a fit person to hold a teaching certificate.
Forrest L. Avila
Hearing Officer
Approved:
Peter McWalters
Commissioner
Date:DECEMBER 13, 1996