Petitioner: JIM HORNE, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: CHRISTOPHER H. WILSON
Judges: CHARLES C. ADAMS
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Brooksville, Florida
Filed: Nov. 05, 2003
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, December 18, 2003.
Latest Update: Nov. 05, 2024
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
F, PHILIP HANDY, Chairman
T. WILLARD FAtR, Vice Chairman
Members
SALLY BRADSHAW
Linpa J. Eaps, Ep.D.
CHARLES PATRICK GARCIA
JULIA L. JOUNSON
WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
May 7, 2003 CERTIFIED MAIL
Mr. Christopher Wilson RE: Finding of Probable Cause
23344 Croom Road Case No: 012-1523-Q
Brooksville, Florida 34601 SSN:
Dear Mr. Wilson:
Pursuant to the provisions of Sections 1012.796 and 1012.795, 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 1012.796(6) and
1012.795(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 Educator 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.
Please govern yourself accordingly.
Sincerely,
Ji ome
JH:DA:)
ENCLOSURES
325 W. GAINES STREET * SUITE 224-E * TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 + (850) 488-2481 + www. fidoe.org
STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION
JIM HORNE, as
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 012-1523-Q
CHRISTOPHER H. WILSON,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Jim Horne, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint
against CHRISTOPHER H. WILSON. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction
of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.795 and 1012.796, 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
1012.795(1) and 1012.795(7), Florida Statutes.
The Petitioner alleges:
JURISDICTION
1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 665382, covering the area of
Social Science, which is valid through June 30, 2003.
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Teacher at Fox
Chapel Middle School in the Hernando County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. Respondent engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional conduct with students. This
conduct included the exchange of electronic mail, telephone calls and conversations concerning
personal matters. For example:
a. During the fall of 2001, Respondent made disparaging remarks concerning
A.C.’s sister to her. (A.C. was a 13-year-old, female student at the time.)
CHRISTOPHER H. WILSON
Administrative Complaint
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b. Respondent made disparaging comments through electronic mail about K.S.
to her sister A.S. In one electronic mail seen by their mother, Respondent
indicated that K.S. had the personality of a bag of rocks.
c. Respondent exchanged electronic mail and instant messages with A.B., a
female student, in which he asked her such intimate questions as what her bra
size was and whether she had had an orgasm yet.
4. During the fall of 2001, Respondent drove A.C., a 13-year-old, female student, home
alone without parent permission on at least one occasion.
5. During the fall of 2001, A.C., a 13-year-old, female student, reported to Respondent
that she had been sexually assaulted by a man in Michigan. A.C. advised Respondent that no one
in her family knew of the attack. Respondent observed self-inflicted cuts on A.C.’s arms. During
a telephone conversation on or about November 3 or 4, 2001, A.C. advised Respondent that she was
still cutting her arms. Respondent instructed A.C. to bring the knife/blade she was using to cut
herself to school, in violation of school board policy. On or about November 5, 2001, A.C. brought
the knife/blade to school and gave it to Respondent. Respondent stored the knife/blade in his
classroom. In violation of school board policy and state law, Respondent failed to report the
allegations of sexual abuse, self mutilation, or the bringing of the knife/blade to school to law
enforcement, school authorities, the abuse hotline, or A.C.’s parent. On or about November 9, 2001,
Respondent was ordered to have no contact with A.C. pending an investigation. However, by this
time, A.C. had become dependant on Respondent and attempted suicide upon learning of the no
contact order.
6. Respondent engaged in inappropriate conduct with colleagues during which he
harassed, intimidated and threatened them. For example:
a. In April 1999, Respondent sexually harassed E.P.S., a female teacher, and
intimidated her by threatening her continued employment. The harassment
included placing his hands on her breasts and placing her hand on his erect
penis.
b. Respondent threatened to grind D.M.’s (a female teacher) body up and use it
for cattle feed.
c. In October 1999, B.M., a football coach, was attending to an injured player
during a game. Respondent had already indicated that the player’s mother
should take him to the hospital, as no emergency vehicle was called. B.M.
administered first aid to the player in an effort to cool him down and reduce
his heart rate before his mother took him to the hospital. During this time,
CHRISTOPHER H. WILSON
Administrative Complaint
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Respondent snatched the player off the bench. Although the player was still
shaky, his mother was going to take him to the emergency room. As they
were leaving, Respondent, who was also athletic director, yelled at B.M. in
front of players, parents and student, “If you buck my authority again, you can
get your goddamn ass off the field” or words to that effect.
d. In September 2001, Respondent argued with C.K., a female teacher, and
challenged her to hit him. C.K. left the room visibly upset. After the
confrontation, Respondent had a conversation with D.M. in which he
threatened to bum C.K.’s house down while she and her family slept.
STATUTE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(c), Florida Statutes,
in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude.
COUNT 2: — The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(f), Florida Statutes, in
that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces his effectiveness
as an employee of the school board.
COUNT 3: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(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.
RULE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 4: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(a), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to make reasonable effort
to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student’s mental health
and/or physical health and/or safety.
COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to
unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
COUNT 6: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(h), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has exploited a relationship with a
student for personal gain or advantage.
COUNT 7: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(4)(c), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has used institutional privileges for
CHRISTOPHER H. WILSON
Administrative Complaint
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personal gain or advantage.
COUNT 8: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(4)(d), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has accepted gratuity, gift, or favor that
might influence professional judgement.
COUNT 9: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(4)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has offered gratuity, gift, or favor to
obtain special advantages.
COUNT 10: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(5)(d), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has engaged in harassment or
discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interfered with an individual’s performance of
professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which created a
hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and further, failed to make
reasonable effort to assure that each individual was protected from such harassment or
discrimination.
COUNT 11: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(5)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has made malicious or intentionally
false statements about a colleague.
COUNT 12: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(5)(f), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has used coercive means or promised
special treatment to influence professional judgments of colleagues.
COUNT 13: The Respondentis in violation of Rule 6B.1006(5)(o), Florida Administrative
Code, in that Respondent failed to report to appropriate authorities any known allegation of a
violation of the Florida School Code or State Board of Education Rules as defined in Section
231.2615(1), Florida Statutes.
CHRISTOPHER H. WILSON
Administrative Complaint
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WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission
impose an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 1012.795(1) and
1012.796(7), 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.
EXECUTED on this HA day of Many , 2003.
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 03-004095PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Dec. 18, 2003 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Dec. 12, 2003 |
Notice of Settlement (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Nov. 17, 2003 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Nov. 17, 2003 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for January 28 through 30, 2004; 10:00 a.m.; Brooksville, FL).
|
Nov. 12, 2003 |
Joint Response to Initial Order (filed via facsimile).
|
Nov. 05, 2003 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Nov. 05, 2003 |
Addendum to Election of Rights filed.
|
Nov. 05, 2003 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Nov. 05, 2003 |
Letter to K. Richards from T. Odom regarding forwarding case to DOAH to schedule a formal hearing filed.
|
Nov. 05, 2003 |
Agency referral filed.
|
Nov. 05, 2003 |
Initial Order.
|