Died —OFS4HEPL STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION TOM GALLAGHER, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 978-1544-W MEREDITH HUNTER, Respondent. ADMINIST. IVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Tom Gallagher, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against Meredith Hunter. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 231.262 and 231.28, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to Rule 6B-1.006, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida, said sanctions specifically set forth in Sections 231.262(6) and 231.28(1), Florida Statutes. : ~ The Petitioner alleges: RISDICTION 1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 443985, covering the area of English, which is valid through June 30, 2003. og "Af all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a English teacher at Miami Norland High School, in the Dade County School District. ~” MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about July 24, 1987, Respondent was involved in an altercation with a police officer who had stopped her because she had an expired auto tag. Respondent failed to follow the instructions of the officer and became loud and violent, Respondent failed to allow the officer to "hand cuffher and during a struggle she knocked the officer to the ground and struck him in the face. Respondent also scratched and bit the officer. Respondent was arrested and charged with Battery ona Police Officer, Resisting Arrest with Violence and Disorderly Conduct. On or about November 14, 1989, Respondent was found guilty on a lesser charge of Resisting an Officer Without Violence. _ Respondent was sentenced concurrently with her arrest for Battery on a Police Officer and other o00f ee lg Meredith Hunter Administrative Complaint ; . 2 of 3 charges in 1989. At the time of Respondent's arrest in 1989 it was discovered that an outstanding warrant for her arrest existed for the 1987 case. Respondent had failed to abide by a notice to appear in the 1987 case. 4, On or about June 6, 1989, Respondent battered a police officer and failed to follow the directions of police officers and fought with them slightly injuring two of the officers. Respondent was arrested and charged with Battery on a Police Officer and Resisting Arrest with Violence. On or about January 4, 1990, Respondent pled Guilty to one count of Resisting Arrest with Violence and the court adjudicated her guilty of one count of Resisting Arrest with Violence and one count of Resisting Arrest Without Violence. Respondent was sentenced to one year probation, and $75.00 in fines and costs. 5. On or about April 5, 1997, Respondent operated her vehicle while she was intoxicated, Respondent drove her car through a 30-mph zone at 80 mph. Respondent was arrested and charged with Driving Under the Influence and Resisting an Officer Without Violence. On or about May 27, 1997, Respondent pled Nolo Contendere to the DUI charge and the Resisting an Officer Without Violence charge was Nolie Prosequi by the court. Respondent was found guilty of the DUI charge by the court and sentenced to six months probation, six months suspended license, DUI school, sixty hours of community service, have her vehicle impounded for ten days and to pay $362.00 in fines and costs. 5. On her applications for the renewal of her Florida Educator’s Certificate dated July 22, 1988, June 24, 1993 and June 30, 1998, Respondent failed fully to acknowledge her criminal history as required by the applications and in spite of the sworn statements on the forms that all the information provided by her was true and correct. TATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 231.28(1)(a), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent obtained the teaching certificate by fraudulent means. .. COUNT (2: The Respondent is in violation of Section 23 1,28(1)(c), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality org an act involving moral turpitude. The ‘Respondent i is in violation of Section 231. 28(1)(e), Florida ‘Statutes, i in that Respondent has been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other criminal charge, other than a minor traffic olation COUNT 4: The Respondent is in violati f Section 231 Se, Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces her effectiveness as an employee of the school board. 000s SSRI SRE EXECUTED on this. 14 day of N \ pert , 2000. _ , _ _ Meredith Hunter Administrative Complaint 3 of 3 COUNT 5: The Respondent is in violation of Section 231.28(1)(i), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has violated the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession prescribed by State Board of Education rules. COUNT 6: The Respondent is in violation of Section 231.28(2), Florida Statutes, which provides that the plea of guilty in any court or the decision of guilty by any court is prima facie proof of grounds for the revocation of the certificate. RULE VIOLATIONS COUNT 7: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(5)(a), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to maintain honesty in all professional dealings. COUNT 8: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(5)(h), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has filed false documents concerning a professional matter. WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission impose an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 231.262(6) and 231.28(1), Florida Statutes, which penalty may include a reprimand, probation, restriction of the authorized scope of practice, administrative fine, suspension of the teaching certificate not to exceed three years, permanent revocation of the teaching certificate, or combination thereof, for the reasons set forth herein, and in accordance with the Explanation and Election of Rights forms which are attached hereto and made a part hereof by reference. oo ah ss yechpadmcoaee R, as “. Commissioner of Education O60 crepe opemene er rma eR een FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA 32399-0400 Tom Gallagher 40 oH i Commissioner December 14, 2000 Ms. Meredith Hunter 1001 Northwest 83rd Street Miami, Florida 33150 CERTIFIED MAIL RE: Finding of Probable Cause SSN: 263-47-6036 ’ Dear Ms. Hunter: Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 231.262 and 231.28, Florida Statutes, and Rule 6A-4.037, Florida Administrative Code (Rules of the State Board of Education), I find that probable cause exists to justify sanctions against your certificate as provided in Sections 231.262(6) and 231.28(1), Florida Statutes, which penalties may include reprimand, probation, restriction of the scope of practice, suspension not to exceed three years, revocation not to exceed ten years or the permanent revocation of your teaching certificate. An Administrative Complaint, Explanation and Election of Rights forms have been enclosed. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, contact the Office of Professional "Practices Services, Florida Education Center, Suite 224-E, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850) 488-2481. Sincerely, Bega ENCLOSURES Plaza Level, The Capitol ¢ Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 . : (850) 487-1785 © Fax (850) 413-0378 http://www. firn.edu/doe An affirmative action/equal opportunity employer nn 2

Docket for Case No: 01-003344PL