Petitioner: TOM GALLAGHER, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: ALFRED L. WASHINGTON
Judges: CLAUDE B. ARRINGTON
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: West Palm Beach, Florida
Filed: Mar. 08, 2000
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, August 31, 2000.
Latest Update: Dec. 24, 2024
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STATE OF FLORIDA
TOM GALLAGHER, as
Commissioner of Education,
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Petitioner, OD oa
vs. CASE NO. 989-0745-M
ALFRED L. WASHINGTON,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, TOM GALLAGHER, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
~ Complaint against Alfred L. Washington. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction
“- of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 231.262 and 231.28, Florida Statutes,
and pursuant to Rule 6B-1.006, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for
the Education Profession in Florida, said sanctions specifically set forth in Sections 231.262(6) and
231.28(1), Florida Statutes.
The Petitioner alleges: ~
_ JURISDICTION
OL The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 707720, covering the areas of
Mathematics, which is valid through June 30, 1999.
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Mathematics teacher
at Royal Palm Beach High School, in the Palm Beach County School District.
" MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS —
3. On or about April 14, 1998 Respondent fondied ‘a minor female student, $.L., in his
classroom. On or about May 8, 1998, Respondent was arrested and charged with Lewd Assault. On
abo jovember , 1998, Respondent was terminated from his employment with the Palm beach
‘County School Board. On or about January 5, 1999, Respondent was adjudicated guilty by the court,
and sentenced to twenty-one months incarceration in the Department of Corrections with fifty-seven
days credit.
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“8 py Administrative Complaint
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STATUTO i S
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COUNT 1: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section
231.28(1)(c), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act
involving moral turpitude.
; COUNT 2: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section
231.28(1)(e), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or
other criminal charge, other than a minor traffic violation.
COUNT 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section
231.28(1)(f), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent, upon investigation, has been found guilty of
personal conduct which seriously reduces his effectiveness as an employee of the school board.
COUNT 4: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section
231.28(1)Q), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has violated the Principles of Professional Conduct
_ for the Education Profession in Florida prescribed by State Board of Education.
COUNT 5: Section 231.28(2), Florida Statutes, provides that the plea of guilty in any
court or a decision of guilty by any court is prima facie proof of grounds for the revocation of the
” certificate.
RULE VIOLATIONS
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COUNT 6: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(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 safety. ;
sancoures CQUNT 7: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
_. 1,006(3)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to
unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
~ COUNT 8: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1,006(3)(h), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has exploited a relationship with a
student for personal gain or advantage.
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Alfred L. Washington
Administrative Complaint
Page 3 of 3
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission impose
an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 231.262(6) and 231.28(1),
Florida Statutes, which penalty may include a reprimand, probation, restriction of the authorized
scope of practice, administrative fine, suspension of the teaching certificate not to exceed three years,
*“perianent revocation of the teaching certificate, or combination thereof, for the reasons set forth
herein, and in accordance with the Explanation and Election of Rights forms which are attached
hereto and made a part hereof by reference.
EXECUTED on this 22 day of_A0OVEmBen— __, 1999.
Commissioner of Education,
State of Florida
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Docket for Case No: 00-001030
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Aug. 31, 2000 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Aug. 25, 2000 |
Notice of Voluntary Dismissal (Petitioner) filed.
|
Aug. 07, 2000 |
Order Placing Case in Abeyance issued (parties to advise status by August 31, 2000).
|
Aug. 03, 2000 |
Status Report (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Jul. 25, 2000 |
Order Cancelling Hearing sent out. (hearing cancelled, parties to advise status by 08/04/2000)
|
Jul. 25, 2000 |
Petitioner`s Proposed Prehearing Statement. (filed via facsimile)
|
Jul. 12, 2000 |
Order Denying Motion to Continue sent out.
|
Jun. 26, 2000 |
Respondent`s motion to Hold Case in Abeyance Pending Completion of Appellate Proceedings in Criminal Case (filed via facsimile).
|
Jun. 15, 2000 |
Notice of Firm Name Change (filed by S. Burton via facsimile) filed.
|
Jun. 07, 2000 |
Request for Production of Documents; Request for Admissions (Petitioner filed via facsimile) filed.
|
Jun. 07, 2000 |
Notice of Service (Petitioner`s First Set of Interrogatories #1-16) (filed via facsimile).
|
Apr. 24, 2000 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions sent out.
|
Apr. 24, 2000 |
Notice of Hearing sent out. (hearing set for July 27 and 28, 2000; 9:00 a.m.; West Palm Beach, FL)
|
Apr. 19, 2000 |
Joint Response to Court`s Initial Order (filed via facsimile).
|
Mar. 15, 2000 |
Initial Order issued. |
Mar. 08, 2000 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Mar. 08, 2000 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Mar. 08, 2000 |
Agency Referral Letter filed.
|