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PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs MARGARET AGIN, 16-006176PL (2016)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 16-006176PL Visitors: 6
Petitioner: PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: MARGARET AGIN
Judges: F. SCOTT BOYD
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Port St. Lucie, Florida
Filed: Oct. 24, 2016
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, January 24, 2017.

Latest Update: May 18, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, VS. CASE NO. 1536-0925 MARGARET AGIN, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Adrninistrative Complaint against MARGARET AGIN. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondenit’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 L, The Respondent holds Florida Educator's Certificate 816814, covering the areas of Elementary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (“ESOL”) and Exceptional Student Education (“ESE”), which is valid through June 30, 2019. 2, At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an ESE Teacher at Rivers Edge Elementary School in the St. Lucie County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about September 8, 2015, Respondent reported for duty and was in the presence of students while under the influence of marijuana. Respondent was observed slurring her speech, emotional, confused and unable to understand conversation with her peers. Respondent submitted to a reasonable suspicion test, 4. As a result of her conduct alleged herein, Respondent was required by the Saint Lucie County Schoo! District to take a leave of absence from her employment beginning on or MARGARET AGIN Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 about September 16, 2015. Respondent was permitted to return to work on or about November 4, 2015. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(1)(g), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces effectiveness as an employee of the school board. COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of section 1612.795(1)(j), 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 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(3X(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. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) MARGARET AGIN Administrative Complaint Page 3 of 3 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 Respondents 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; 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 if. day of (Ywave.in , 2016, Comrnissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 16-006176PL
Issue Date Proceedings
Jan. 24, 2017 Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
Jan. 24, 2017 Respondent's Request for Informal Hearing, and Joint Motion to Close File filed.
Jan. 23, 2017 Joint Motion to Continue Final Hearing filed.
Jan. 23, 2017 Notice of Taking Depositions filed.
Jan. 20, 2017 Petitioner's Amended Witness List filed.
Jan. 20, 2017 Petitioner's Exhibit List filed.
Jan. 20, 2017 Notice of Taking Deposition (Agin) filed.
Jan. 19, 2017 Petitioner's Witness List filed.
Dec. 16, 2016 Certificate of Service of Discovery filed.
Nov. 30, 2016 Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for February 1, 2017; 9:00 a.m.; Port St. Lucie and Tallahassee, FL; amended as to ).
Nov. 30, 2016 Joint Motion to Continue Hearing filed.
Nov. 01, 2016 Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
Nov. 01, 2016 Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for December 21, 2016; 9:00 a.m.; Port St. Lucie and Tallahassee, FL).
Oct. 31, 2016 Petitioner's Response to Initial Order filed.
Oct. 25, 2016 Initial Order.
Oct. 24, 2016 Election of Rights filed.
Oct. 24, 2016 Administrative Complaint filed.
Oct. 24, 2016 Agency referral filed.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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