STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION JEANINE BLOMBERG, as O%- Dd 3 Pe Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 056-1870-F ALMA L. WHITMAN, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Jeanine Blomberg, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against ALMA L. WHITMAN. 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 436017, covering the areas of Administration/Supervision and Social Science, which is valid through June 30, 2008. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Social Studies Teacher at Hudson High School in the Pasco County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about November 21, 2005, Respondent was illegally in possession of the drugs Marijuana and Methamphetamine and of drug paraphernalia. Respondent was arrested and charged with; Count 1, Possession of Methamphetamine; Count 2, Possession of Marijuana and Count 3, Possession of Paraphernalia. On or about December 7, 2005, Respondent retired in lieu of termination from her teaching position with the district. On or about May 1, 2006, Respondent entered into a pre-trial agreement with the state attorney’s office. Adjudication of the court is pending Respondent’s completion of the pre-trial intervention program. ALMA L. WHITMAN Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 2 The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT i: 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 Respondentis in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(£), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces her effectiveness as an employee of the school board. WHEREFORE, based on the reasons set forth herein and in accordance with the Explanation of Rights and Election of Rights forms attached to and made a part of this Administrative Complaint, Petitioner respectfully recommends that the Education Practices Commission impose an appropriate sanction against the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 1012.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes. The sanctions imposed by the Education Practices Commission may include, but are not limited to, any one or a combination of the following: issuing the Respondent a written reprimand; placing the Respondent on probation for any period of time; restricting the Respondent’s authorized scope of practice; assessing the Respondent an administrative fine; directing the Respondent to enroll in the Recovery Network Program; suspending the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for a period of time not to exceed five years; revokirig the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for.a period of time up to 10 years or permanently; or barring the Respondent from reapplying for an educator’s certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently. EXECUTED onthis \O™? gay or Qeckober _2007. Kana ‘ANINE BLOMBERG, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 09-002323PL