ne, U 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