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RICHARD CORCORAN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs DOROTHY SOKOWSKI, 20-000611PL (2020)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 20-000611PL Visitors: 15
Petitioner: RICHARD CORCORAN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: DOROTHY SOKOWSKI
Judges: ELIZABETH W. MCARTHUR
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Altamonte Springs, Florida
Filed: Feb. 04, 2020
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, June 15, 2020.

Latest Update: Jan. 18, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION RICHARD CORCORAN, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 189-1167 DOROTHY SOKOWSKI, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Richard Corcoran, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against DOROTHY SOKOWSKI. 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 1s The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 837460, covering the areas of Educational Media Specialist, English and Family and Consumer Science, which is valid through June 30, 2020. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Teacher at BETA Alternative School/St. Cloud Middle School in the Orange County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3 ‘hed fl the 2016-2017 school year, Respondent ae in inappropriate conduct when she touched a BB year old student, on inner thigh and made li uncomfortable. 4. On or about September 18, 2018, Respondent engaged in inappropriate condu when she touched (I a f-year old MEER student, on Biiciee thigh and made a uncomfortable. AC-2 DOROTHY SOKOWSKI Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 2 The Petitioner charges: STATUTE TION: COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(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 2: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(2)(a)1, 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. 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; 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 5™ — dayof September , 2019, Lhe RICHARD CORCORAN, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida AC-3

Docket for Case No: 20-000611PL
Issue Date Proceedings
Jun. 15, 2020 Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
Jun. 15, 2020 Order Granting Respondent's Motion to Admit Deposition Transcript in Lieu of Live Testimony.
Jun. 15, 2020 Unopposed Motion to Close File and Relinquish Jurisdiction to the Education Practices Commission filed.
Jun. 11, 2020 Respondent's Motion to Admit Deposition Transcript in Lieu of Live Testimony filed.
Jun. 03, 2020 Petitioner's Notice of Taking Remote Deposition (Sokowski) filed.
Jun. 02, 2020 Notice of Taking Depositions via Zoom Conference filed.
May 13, 2020 Notice of Taking Depositions via Zoom Conference filed.
May 13, 2020 Notice of Taking Depositions via Zoom Conference filed.
Feb. 27, 2020 Certificate of Service of Discovery filed.
Feb. 18, 2020 Notice of Service of Subpoena (OCPS) filed.
Feb. 18, 2020 Amended Notice of Service of Subpoena (OPD) filed.
Feb. 18, 2020 Notice of Service of Subpoena (OPD) filed.
Feb. 17, 2020 Order Granting Continuance and Rescheduling Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for June 30, 2020; 9:30 a.m.; Altamonte Springs and Tallahassee, FL).
Feb. 14, 2020 Motion to Continue filed.
Feb. 11, 2020 Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
Feb. 11, 2020 Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for April 16, 2020; 9:30 a.m.; Altamonte Springs and Tallahassee, FL).
Feb. 11, 2020 Agreed Upon Response to Initial Order filed.
Feb. 05, 2020 Initial Order.
Feb. 04, 2020 Notice of Representation (Heidi Parker) filed.
Feb. 04, 2020 Administrative Complaint filed.
Feb. 04, 2020 Finding of Probable Cause filed.
Feb. 04, 2020 Election of Rights filed.
Feb. 04, 2020 Agency referral filed.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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