Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida
Latest Update: Jul. 15, 1980
Whether Respondent's teacher's certificate should be revoked pursuant to Section 231.28, Florida Statutes, for alleged sale of marijuana, as set forth in Petition, dated May 11, 1979. The parties stipulated to the expected testimony of Petitioner's witnesses, and Respondent did not call any witnesses at the hearing. The parties further stipulated to the admission of Petitioner's Exhibits 1-5 and to Respondent's Composite Exhibit 1. This is an administrative proceeding whereby the Petitioner seeks to take adverse action concerning the teaching certificate of the Respondent based on an allegation the Respondent sold marijuana to a police officer on September 1, 1978. The matter was reported by the Superintendent, Polk County Public Schools, to Petitioner by letter of February 21, 1979. (Petitioner's Exhibit 3) The Petition herein was thereafter filed pursuant to directions of the State Commissioner of Education who on May 11, 1979, found probable cause to justify disciplinary action under the provisions of Section 231.28, Florida Statutes. Respondent requested an administrative hearing by Answer, dated May 22, 1979. Respondent filed a prehearing Motion to Strike the Petition on the grounds that the Polk County Superintendent improperly referred the matter to Petitioner on the basis of Respondent's nolo contendere plea in a criminal proceeding, and had suspended her from employment without an evidentiary hearing. The motion further alleged that Petitioner based its probable cause finding upon hearsay evidence and that it has no authority to make a finding of criminal guilt without a judicial adjudication of the same. Respondent's Motion is denied. Petitioner's Rule 6A-4.37, Florida Administrative Code, prescribes procedures for revoking or suspending certificates. It provides, inter alia, that when a superintendent has "cause to believe" that a certificate holder is "guilty of any offense" for which the penalty is revocation or suspension, it is his duty to file a "signed report" with any supporting documentation with Petitioner. Such a report merely triggers an investigation by Petitioner's staff for consideration by its Executive Committee and ultimate finding of probable cause by the Commissioner of Education. All of these procedures are preliminary in nature. No definitive action can be taken against a certificate holder and no final adverse action may be taken without an opportunity for an adversary hearing. The cases cited by Respondent in support of the notion deal with evidentiary standards for the issuance of final orders and do not relate to such preliminary matters. Petitioner observed the requirements of its rules procedurally in this case.Respondent's license should be revoked for two years for grossly immoral conduct setting bad example for students.