Florida district terminates middle school teacher accused of hitting students

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (WPEC) — A Florida teacher has been under the microscope, accused of hitting students with sticks and grabbing another by the back of the neck over the past year.

On Wednesday, Palm Beach County school board members voted to terminate Victor Lopez, 49, from his position as a math teacher.

Superintendent Mike Burke found that several allegations against Lopez were substantial, including inappropriate interactions with students when he became the subject of an Office of Professional Standards investigation "on or before May 5, 2022."

Lopez has been working for the district since 2005 teaching math at several schools, including Loggers’ Run Middle School and Boca Raton Middle School.

WPEC obtained a copy of an incident report filed in September of 2021, where a Loggers’ Run Middle School mom complained Lopez “struck her child with a stick” and claimed Lopez "pulled his ear in class when he asked for help.”

According to the report, the student recorded his interaction with Lopez on his laptop during class.

The mother stated, “you see Mr. Lopez walk into the frame and aggressive (sic) tap” her son “on the inner arm, then immediately tap him lighter in the upper arm.”

While questioning at least six other students, police wrote one student said they were hit on the leg by Lopez with a “ruler."

A staff member also told police they witnessed “an odd exchange between Lopez and student” on Aug. 31, 2021, adding the student said he had "grabbed the back of her neck ‘strongly’ and walked her to the bathroom close by the classroom to show her the restroom.” Police stated that the interaction was seen on a school security camera.

According to the district, Lopez was moved to teach math at Boca Raton Middle School from late fall of last year to early this year, before getting suspended when more and more students started coming forward.

Lopez was then reassigned to work away from students until board members officially approved the notice of termination Wednesday evening.

Starting Thursday, Sept. 22, 2022, Lopez will be placed on a 15-day unpaid suspension, allowing him to appeal in writing during that time. If he fails to take any action to appeal, he will be permanently terminated on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022.

According to the district, if Lopez appeals, his suspension remains in effect until the appeals process is finished.

WPEC reached out to Mr. Lopez by phone for comment, but he did not respond before publication of this article.