A Manatee County judge has recommended that a former Manatee High assistant principal should not lose his job over the Rod Frazier scandal.

Administrative Law Judge Lynne Quimby-Pennock recommended that Robert Gagnon should not be fired for his role in the scandal.

Gagnon was one of three former Manatee High administrators fired and later charged with not reporting suspected child abuse by Frazier, a former assistant football coach.  Gagnon was acquitted of those charges last month.

In her recommendation, Quimby-Pennock said the district did not show that Gagnon violated any statute, rule or policy.

On Tuesday, Gagnon held a news conference in which he expressed relief at Qumby-Pennock's ruling.

"I have always gone out over and beyond protecting all of my children," he said.

The Manatee County School Board voted last October to place Gagnon on unpaid leave. Former Manatee High School assistant principal Matthew Kane and assistant principal Gregg Faller were also placed on unpaid leave.

Gagnon's contract expired on Monday, and now he wants a job in Manatee County or in another school district.

"I am a lifetime educator," he said. "I definitely want to continue working with students in some capacity."

In June, Kane was also found not guilty of one misdemeanor count of failing to report child abuse and one felony count of failing to report child abuse. Faller was convicted of one misdemeanor count of failing to report child abuse and cleared of the felony count of failing to report child abuse.

All three have appealed their firings.

The school board will schedule a vote to determine Gagnon's ultimate job status. The board has 90 days to act, and Gagnon's attorney Richard Reinhart said he hopes board members decide quickly.

"We're here today to encourage the school board to forward with the case as quickly as they can and on to their final order as quickly as they can," he said.

Gagnon said he wants to hold the people who falsely accused him accountable, and he is seeking reimbursement for his lost wages.

"We were suspended and they had no right to suspend me from the very beginning," Gagnon said. "That is abundantly clear at this point."

Gagnon said he is not sure what legal actions he will take until the school board makes its final decision.

Frazer has taken a plea deal to settle charges. He was sentenced to six months of house arrest and will be on probation for three years. He is not to have contact with his victims, and he must complete 90 days in a work program.