STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, VS. CASE NO. 112-2965 CELESTINE JONES BAKER, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam. Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against CELESTINE JONES BAKER. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.315, 1012.795, and 1012.796, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to Rule 6A-10.081, 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 745868, covering the area of Emotionally Handicapped, which is valid through June 30, 2017. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher at H.L, Watkins Middle School in the Palm Beach County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about April 17, 2012, in Palm Beach County, Florida, Respondent was in possession of cocaine. Respondent was arrested and charged with Possession of Cocaine and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. On or about August 22, 2013, Respondent entered into a Drug Court Intervention & Treatment Agreement. CELESTINE JONES BAKER Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 2 The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT i: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(d), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude as defined by rule of the State Board of Education, 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 fo, 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, revoking the Respondent’s educator's certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently; determining the Respondent to be ineligible for certification; or barring the Respondent from reapplying for an educator's certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently. EXECUTED on this (3H. day of _Jucy , 2014, LoL PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION STATE OF FLORIDA GRETCHEN KELLEY BRANTLEY MARK STRAUSS Executive Director Chairperson LEE ANN GUSTAFSON DAVID THOMPSON Counsel Co-Chairperson February 16, 2015 Celestine Baker 2501 Iroquois Avenue Fort Pierce, Florida 34946 RE: Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education vs. Celestine Baker DOE #745868 EPC Case # 15-0061-RT (reference all correspondence with this number) Dear Ms. Baker: On February 11, 2015, the Office of Professional Practices Services (PPS) filed your case with us, the Education Practices Commission (EPC). As you requested, we will forward your case to the Division of Administrative Hearings (DOAH) for a formal hearing. DOAH will notify you as to the date, time and location. Once DOAH hears your case, the Administrative Law Judge will submit a Recommended Order back to us, the EPC, to take final agency action. We will notify you as to the date, time and location. All address changes after filing the Election of Rights, must be filed in writing with us, the EPC. It is your responsibility to make sure your address is up-to-date and you check your mail. Our office will move your case forward with or without your participation. If you have any questions, we can be reached at (850) 245-0455. me) Gretchen Kelley Brantley, as Clerk of EPC Ce: Charles Whitelock, Esquire Melissa Mihok, Esquire Palm Beach County Schools Office of Professional Practices Services Counsel for Professional Practices Services Bureau of Educator Certification 325 W. Gaines Street 316 Turlington Building Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400 (850) 245-0455

Docket for Case No: 15-000856PL