The Orange-Osceola State Attorney's Office is looking into allegations that Osceola County School Board members may have engaged in unlawful misconduct.

“We can confirm there is an inquiry that might turn into an investigation,” State Attorney's Office spokesman Det. Bernie Presha said. “But I can't acknowledge what it is about and who it involves.”

According to emails from School Board member Jay Wheeler, board Chairman Barbara Horn and board member Cindy Hartig are being accused of violating the Government in Sunshine Laws by having contact before the June 19 School Board meeting.

It was at the beginning of that meeting when Horn made a motion to terminate then-superintendent Terry Andrews from the position for violations of misconduct and breech of contract. Hartig then promptly produced from under her desk a large box filled with evidence of Andrews' alleged wrongdoings.

“Anyone could easily see if they watched the replay of the meeting footage, that they had collaborated prior to the meeting regarding the strategy to fire Osceola Superintendent Terry Andrews,” Wheeler said in the June 24 email to state Rep. Darren Soto after a conversation the two had about the topic.

Soto replied on June 25 to Wheeler that employees in Soto's office would forward the information to Orange-Osceola State Attorney Lawson Lamar for further review.

Wheeler said he went to Soto for assistance rather than to Lamar himself because Wheeler doesn't think the State Attorney's Office “pays much attention” to the Osceola County School Board.

“I think the office gets tired of Osceola County and I went to Soto because he's a state rep and I've known (him) for years,” Wheeler said.

Hartig, who is running for re-election for district 3, denied any violations of the law, which prohibits elected officials on the same dais from discussing any businesses from that board outside of a public forum.

“We've been through Sunshine training. There is absolutely no basis on this,” she said. “Mr. Wheeler is determined to ruin my reputation and taint me black. This is just another maneuver.”

Hartig said she had been investigating numerous charges against Andrews for at least six months, an investigation she said board attorney Larry Brown was privy to.

Once her investigation was complete, Hartig said she kept her box of evidence in her car for weeks until the time another board member would bring up Andrews' termination.

Because Brown knew of her investigation, Hartig said the attorney contacted her before the June 19 meeting because a board member had contacted Brown, alluding he or she planned to discuss Andrews' performance and evaluation.

“That was potentially a great opportunity to bring in the stuff,” Hartig said. “I didn't expect it to be a termination. I was thinking we would get the evaluation done and have grounds for termination. I still almost can't believe Barbara did that.”

Horn also denied any involvement in a violation of the Sunshine Law.

“I am a rule follower. I resent people making accusations,” she said. “I do know I had talked to Mr. Brown about (Andrews') evaluation.”

Horn said she decided to request Andrews' termination about an hour before the June 19 board meeting after she received an updated list of the appointments and retainment of principals.

“I knew at that moment this district could not stand another year of Terry Andrews as superintendent,” she said.

Violation of the Sunshine Law is a misdemeanor that usually carries a fine of between $500 and $1,000.