Before the Education Practices Commission of the State of Florida

RICHARD CORCORAN,

Commissioner of Education, Petitioner,

vs. EPC CASE No. 19-0317-RT

Index No. 21-059-FOF DOAH CASE No. 19-6070PL

STEPHEN LAUSTER, PPS No. 189-0234 CERTIFICATE No. 664969

Respondent.

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Final Order

This matter was heard by a Teacher Panel of the Education Practices Commission pursuant to Sections 1012.795, 1012.796 and 120.57(1), Florida Statutes, on January 29, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida, via video conference, for consideration of the Recommended Order entered in this case JODI-ANN V. LIVINGSTONE, Administrative Law Judge. Respondent was not present and was represented by Nicholas Anthony Caggia, Esquire. Petitioner was represented by Bonnie A. Wilmot, Esquire and Ron Weaver, Esquire.

1

Findings of Fact

1. The findings of fact set forth in the Recommended Order are approved and adopted and incorporated herein by reference.

2. There is competent substantial evidence to support the 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 conclusions of law set forth in the Recommended Order are approved and adopted and incorporated herein by reference.

Penalty

Upon a complete review of the record in this case, the Commission determines that the Recommended Order issued by the Administrative Law Judge be ACCEPTED. It is therefore ORDERED that:

Respondent’s certificate is hereby SUSPENDED for one (1) year from the date of this Final Order.

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

DONE AND ORDERED, this 5th day of February, 2021.

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 mailed to Stephen Lauster, 703 East Valley Drive, Bonita Springs, Florida 34134 and Nicholas Anthony Caggia, Esquire, 510 Vonderburg Drive, Suite 303, Brandon, FL 33511 by Certified U.S. Mail and 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 5th day of February, 2021.

COPIES FURNISHED TO:

Office of Professional Practices Services Bureau of Educator Certification Superintendent

Collier County Schools 5775 Osceola Trail

Naples, FL 34109-0919

Certification Specialist Division of Human Resources Collier County Schools

5775 Osceola Trail

Naples, FL 34109-0919

Timothy Frizzell

Assistant Attorney General

JODI-ANN V. LIVINGSTONE

Administrative Law Judge

Division of Administrative Hearings 1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550

Claudia Llado, Clerk

Division of Administrative Hearings

Docket for Case No: 19-006070PL

Orders for Case No: 19-006070PL