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RICHARD CORCORAN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs WANDA WHITEHEAD, 21-001434PL (2021)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 21-001434PL Visitors: 5
Petitioner: RICHARD CORCORAN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: WANDA WHITEHEAD
Judges: ELIZABETH W. MCARTHUR
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: Apr. 30, 2021
Status: Set for Hearing by Zoom Conference.
Latest Update: Jun. 01, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION RICHARD CORCORAN, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 189-2112 WANDA WHITEHEAD, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Richard Corcoran, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against WANDA WHITEHEAD. 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 1032156, covering the areas of Athletic Coaching, Educational Leadership, Elementary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Prekindergarten/Primary Education and Reading, which is valid through June 30, 2023. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Reading Teacher at Olympia High School in the Orange County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. During the 2018/2019 school year, while serving as assistant coach for the girls’ basketball team, Respondent failed to properly address conflicts between team members that led to discord and confrontation of the players. On or about January 29, 2019, Respondent was informed by a member of the team that there was discord between that player and several other named members of the team. Respondent failed to address the issue. On or about J anuary 30, 2019, Probable Cause Letter and Administrative Complaint.-2 WANDA WHITEHEAD Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 2 the player who reported discord to Respondent and at least one of the other players she named became involved in a physical altercation on school grounds where punches were thrown. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS 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 (4 day of _October , 2020. Mili RICHARD CORCORAN, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida Probable Cause Letter and Administrative Complaint.-3

Docket for Case No: 21-001434PL
Issue Date Proceedings
Aug. 12, 2021 Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
Aug. 12, 2021 Unopposed Motion to Close File and Relinquish Jurisdiction to the Education Practices Commission filed.
Aug. 03, 2021 Order Granting Continuance and Rescheduling Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for October 7, 2021; 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time).
Aug. 02, 2021 Respondent's Second Motion to Continue (w/exhibits) filed.
Jul. 02, 2021 Certificate of Service of Respondent's Discovery Responses filed.
Jun. 01, 2021 Certificate of Service of Discovery filed.
May 17, 2021 Order Granting Continuance and Rescheduling Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for August 17, 2021; 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time).
May 17, 2021 Motion to Continue filed.
May 04, 2021 Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
May 04, 2021 Notice of Hearing by Zoom Conference (hearing set for June 17, 2021; 9:30 a.m., Eastern Time).
May 04, 2021 Agreed upon Response to Initial Order filed.
May 03, 2021 Initial Order.
Apr. 30, 2021 Notice of Appearance (Heidi Parker).
Apr. 30, 2021 Administrative Complaint filed.
Apr. 30, 2021 Finding of Probable Cause filed.
Apr. 30, 2021 Election of Rights filed.
Apr. 30, 2021 Agency referral filed.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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