Petitioner: TOM GALLAGHER, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: MEREDITH J. PARK
Judges: CHARLES C. ADAMS
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Jacksonville, Florida
Filed: Sep. 07, 2000
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, October 26, 2000.
Latest Update: Dec. 27, 2024
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STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION
TOM GALLAGHER, as
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 967-0667-C
MEREDITH J. PARK,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, TOM GALLAGHER, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against Meredith J. Park. 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
1, The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 292821, covering the areas of
Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education and Reading, which is valid through June 30,
2000. :
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Alternative Education
teacher at Oceanway Elementary School, in the Duval County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. On or about September 26, 1996, Respondent made inappropriate racially offensive
remarks toward African American students and threatened several of them with a knife she had in her
desk drawer. Respondent, also made racist remarks to a Para-Professional concerning students and
stated that many of her classroom management problems were because of several African American
boys in her class. Respondent, also made other inappropriate comments about being “pissed off” and
yelling in a load voice for her class to “shut up.” Respondent, also made other inappropriate
comments in her frustration from being unable to control her class.
UY VY
Meredith J. Park
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 2
STATUTORY VIOLATIONS
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)(i), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has violated the Principles of Professional Conduct
for the Education Profession in Florida prescribed by State Board of Education.
RULE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 3: 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.
COUNT 4: 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 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1,006(3)(g), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has harassed or discriminated against
a student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs,
marital status, handicapping condition, or social and family background and has failed to make
reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
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,
permanent 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 224° day of _| Set , 1999.
—e
\ o—
TOM GALL R, as
Commissioner of Education,
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 00-003717PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Oct. 26, 2000 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Oct. 25, 2000 |
Notice of Voluntary Dismissal filed by Petitioner.
|
Sep. 29, 2000 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
|
Sep. 29, 2000 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for November 16 and 17, 2000; 10:00 a.m.; Jacksonville, FL).
|
Sep. 29, 2000 |
Petitioner`s Notice of Serving Answers to First Interrogatories filed. |
Sep. 29, 2000 |
Notice of Taking Deposition of M. Park filed. |
Sep. 27, 2000 |
Respondent`s First Interrogatories filed. |
Sep. 25, 2000 |
Respondent`s Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Sep. 12, 2000 |
Petitioners Response to Initial Order filed.
|
Sep. 08, 2000 |
Notice of Appearance (filed by R. Weaver).
|
Sep. 07, 2000 |
Request for Hearing filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2000 |
Election of Right filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2000 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2000 |
Notice of Appearance (by D. Hertz) filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2000 |
Notice of Appearance (by R. Weaver) filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2000 |
Agency referral filed.
|
Sep. 07, 2000 |
Initial Order issued. |