RICHARD CORCORAN,

Commissioner of Education, Petitioner,

Before the Education Practices Commission of the State of Florida

vs. EPC CASE No. 19-0282-RA

DOAH CASE No. 19-5888PL

CHARLES BROOKS, JR., PPS No. 189-0964 CERTIFICATE No. 784361

Respondent. Index No.: 20-401-FOF

/

Final Order

This matter was heard by an Administrator Panel of the Education Practices Commission pursuant to sections 1012.795, 1012.796 and 120.57(1), Florida Statutes, on December 9, 2020, in Tallahassee, Florida, via video hearing, for consideration of the Recommended Order entered on October 20, 2020, in this case by JAMES H. PETERSON, III, Administrative Law Judge. Respondent was represented by Branden

M. Vicari, Esq. Petitioner was represented by Bonnie Wilmot. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a copy of the Recommended Order. Attached as Exhibit B is Petitioner’s Exception to Recommended Penalty and Motion to Impose Penalty

1

Ruling on Exceptions

1. For the reasons stated in the Petitioner’s Exception to Recommended Penalty and Motion to Impose Penalty, the Petitioner’s exception to the recommended penalty is hereby accepted.

   Findings of Fact

   
   

2. The Panel hereby adopts the findings of fact in the Recommended Order. There is competent substantial evidence to support these findings of fact.

   Conclusions of Law

   
   

3. The Education Practices Commission has jurisdiction of this matter pursuant to Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 1012, Florida Statutes.

4. The Panel hereby adopts the conclusions of law in the Recommended Order.

   
   

   Ruling on Petitioner’s Motion to Impose Penalty

   
   

5. For the reasons stated in Petitioner’s Motion, attached hereto, argument of Petitioner’s counsel, and considering the response of Respondent’s counsel, the Commission granted Petitioner’s Exception to Recommended Penalty and Motion to Impose Penalty.

Penalty

Upon a complete review of the record in this case, it is therefore ORDERED that Respondent be issued a letter of reprimand.

This Final Order takes effect upon filing with the Clerk of the Education Practices Commission.

DONE AND ORDERED, this 18th day of December, 2020.

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW

A PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS FINAL ORDER IS ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES. REVIEW PROCEEDINGS ARE GOVERNED BY THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE. SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE COMMENCED BY FILING ONE COPY OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL WITH THE EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION AND A SECOND COPY, ACCOMPANIED BY FILING FEES PRESCRIBED BY LAW, WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST DISTRICT, OR WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN THE APPELLATE DISTRICT WHERE THE PARTY RESIDES. THE NOTICE OF APPEAL MUST BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS OF RENDITION OF THIS ORDER.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing Order was furnished to Charles Brooks, Jr, at 2538 West Elm Blossom Street, Beverly Hills, Florida 34465 and Branden

M. Vicari, Esquire, Herdman & Sakellarides, P.A., 29605 U.S. Highway 19 North, Suite 110, Clearwater, FL 33761 by Certified U.S. Mail, by electronic mail to Bonnie Wilmot, Deputy General Counsel, Suite 1544, Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 and Ron Weaver, Esquire, P.O. Box 770088, Ocala, FL 34477 this 18th day of December, 2020.

COPIES FURNISHED TO:

Office of Professional Practices Services Bureau of Educator Certification

Superintendent, Citrus County Schools 1007 West Main Street

Inverness, FL 34450-4625

Director of Personnel Citrus County Schools 1007 West Main Street Inverness, FL 34450-4625

Timothy Frizzell

Assistant Attorney General

James H. Peterson, III Administrative Law Judge

Division of Administrative Hearings 1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550

Claudia Llado, Clerk

Division of Administrative Hearings Probation Office

EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION

STATE OF FLORIDA

LISA FORBESS ANN COPENHAVER

Executive Director Chairperson

TIMOTHY FRIZZELL AADIL AMEERALLY

Legal Counsel Co-Chairperson

December 18, 2020

Charles Brooks Jr

2538 West Elm Blossom Street Beverly Hills, Florida 34465

Re: Richard Corcoran vs. Charles Brooks Jr EPC No.: 19-0282-RA; DOE No.: 784361

Dear Mr. Brooks Jr:

As you know, an administrator hearing panel of the Florida Education Practices Commission reviewed the matter pending against you in its entirety. The panel concluded during a public hearing that you violated the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida prescribed by the State Board of Education rules and hereby reprimands you for the conduct alleged in the Administrative Complaint, which is incorporated herein.

The Commission, composed of teachers, administrators, parents, law enforcement officials, former school board members and former superintendents, believes that educators must exercise a measure of leadership beyond

reproach. By your actions, you have lessened the reputation of all who practice the profession and have diminished your position as an educational leader. The Commission cannot condone your actions, nor can the public who employ us.

The Commission sincerely hopes it is your intention never to violate any professional obligation in fulfilling your responsibilities as an educator. To violate the standards of the profession will surely result in further action.

This letter of reprimand is being placed in your state certification file, and a copy is being sent to the Citrus County School Board for placement in your personnel file.

325 W. Gaines Street 316 Turlington Building Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400 (850) 245-0455

Docket for Case No: 19-005888PL

Orders for Case No: 19-005888PL