Petitioner: JOHN WINN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: FRANCES LYONS
Judges: LARRY J. SARTIN
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Lauderdale Lakes, Florida
Filed: Oct. 31, 2005
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, February 9, 2006.
Latest Update: Nov. 18, 2024
\OFEDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION DIVES {ON OF John L. Winn
F. PHitur HANDY, Chainnan ADPINIS TRATIVE Commissioner of Education
T. WILLARD FAIR, Yice Chairman CARIN GS HW ‘Just Read.
Members ps rEloridal °
Donna G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L, JOHNSON
ROBERTO Martinez
paoene Rann ceon )5- 4004 PL
Linpa K. TAYLOR.
February 17, 2005 CERTIFIED MAIL
Ms. Frances Lyons RE: Finding of Probable Cause
8573 Northwest 1st Street Case No: 023-0358-M.
Coral Springs, Florida 33071 . SSN: 579-66-8225
Dear Ms. Lyons:
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 five 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, Turlington Building, Suite 224-E, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, (850) 245-0438.
Please govern yourself accordingly.
Sincerely,
4
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John L. Winn
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ENCLOSURES
325° W. Gaines STREET - SUITE 224-E~ TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400" (B50) 245-0438 "= (850) 245-062 T (Fax)
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JOHN L. WINN, as a Ms r Lo
Commissioner of Education, “AR, ING 3 VE
Petitioner,
vs. . CASE NO. 023-0358-M
FRANCES C. LYONS,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, John L. Winn, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint
against FRANCES C. LYONS. 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
1012.796(7), Florida Statutes.
The Petitioner alleges:
JURISDICTION
1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 458542, covering the areas of
Elementary Education and English to Speakers of Other Languages, which is valid through June 30,
2008.
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Fifth Grade Teacher
at Riverside Elementary School in the Broward County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. On or about April 23, 2002, Respondent was in possession and under the influence
of alcohol at school in violation of school board policy. On this day, Respondent was observed by
at least one student consuming a mixed drink. The student’s parent reported the incident to school
officials.
FRANCES C. LYONS
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 3
4, On or about April 25, 2002, Respondent's principal met with Respondent concerning
the student’s allegation of April 23. During the meeting, Respondent gave a container of alcohol
(vodka) to her principal.
5. On or about September 19, 2002, Respondent and the school board entered into a
Disciplinary Action and General Release Agreement. As part of the agreement, Respondent was
issued a letter of reprimand, suspended without pay for 10 days, and required to participate in the
school district’s employee assistant program and submit to random drug testing for 2 years.
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,
COUNT2: 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 her effectiveness
as an employee of the school board.
COUNT3: The Respondents 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.
FRANCES C. LYONS
O50CT21 PM 3:48 Administrative Complaint
Page 3 of 3
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 onthis_ /7 day of Jebusaney, 2005.
\
Le,
OHN L. WINN, as
Commissioner of Education
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 05-004009PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 09, 2006 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 02, 2006 |
Motion to Cancel Hearing and to Relinquish Jurisdiction EPC filed.
|
Jan. 31, 2006 |
Agency`s court reporter confirmation letter filed with the Judge.
|
Jan. 30, 2006 |
Notice of Service of Respondent`s First Set of Interrogatories to Petitioner filed.
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Jan. 30, 2006 |
Notice of Service of Respondent`s Request for Production to Petitioner filed.
|
Jan. 24, 2006 |
Respondent`s Response to Petitioner`s First Set of Interrogatories filed.
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Jan. 24, 2006 |
Respondent`s Response to Petitioner`s Request for Production filed.
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Jan. 10, 2006 |
Respondent`s Response to Petitioner`s Request for Admissions filed.
|
Dec. 19, 2005 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Dec. 19, 2005 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (video hearing set for February 23, 2006; 9:00 a.m.; Lauderdale Lakes and Tallahassee, FL).
|
Dec. 16, 2005 |
Unilateral Response to Initial Order filed by Respondent.
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Dec. 16, 2005 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner`s Request for Admissions to Respondent filed.
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Dec. 16, 2005 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner`s First Set of Interrogatories to Respondent filed.
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Dec. 16, 2005 |
Notice of Service of Petitioner`s Request for Production to Respondent filed.
|
Dec. 16, 2005 |
Unilateral Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Dec. 15, 2005 |
Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Initial Order filed with (Proposed) Order on Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Initial Order.
|
Nov. 14, 2005 |
Order Granting Motion for Extension of Time (on or before December 16, 2005, parties shall respond to the Initial Order providing dates for the final hearing on or before January 13, 2006).
|
Nov. 10, 2005 |
Unopposed Motion for Extension of Time to Respond to Initial Order filed.
|
Oct. 31, 2005 |
Notice of Appearance filed by S. Rossi.
|
Oct. 31, 2005 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Oct. 31, 2005 |
Election of Rights filed.
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Oct. 31, 2005 |
Notice of Appearance, Requesting a Hearing filed.
|
Oct. 31, 2005 |
Letter to F. Lyons from J. Rittnehouse regarding forwarding the case to DOAH filed.
|
Oct. 31, 2005 |
Agency referral filed.
|
Oct. 31, 2005 |
Initial Order.
|