ne [p- 35.33 Pe STATE OF FLORIDA : 02 EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION “ofp / CHARLIE CRIST, as ° : Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 990-1880-M EDRA J. TULLIS, Respondent. / eee ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Charlie Crist, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against EDRA J. TULLIS. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 231.262 and 231.2615, Florida Statutes, and pursuant 10 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(7) and 231.2615(1), Florida Statutes. The Petitioner alleges: JURISDICTION JUNO 1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator's Certificate 738054, covering the area of General Science, which is valid through June 30, 2002. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as 4 Science Teacher at Lincoln Park Academy in the St. Lucie County School District. EDRA J. TULLIS Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. During the fall of 1999, Respondent viewed hundreds of adult oriented, pornographic and/or obscene Internet sites on the computer assigned to him by the school district. Respondent accessed these sites in the classroom during the school day in the presence of students, who were often exposed to the material. The graphic nature of the material shocked and embarrassed students. On or about November 4, 1999, the school district suspended Respondent with pay pending an investigation. On or about December 2, 1999, Respondent was arrested and charged with Display of Obscenity to Minor. On or about December 6, 1999, the superintendent notified Respondent that he would be suspended without pay effective December 15, 1999. On or about April 26, 2000, the state attorney’s office nolle prossed the criminal case. On or about May 23, 2000, Respondent and the school district entered into an Agreement and Release. The provisions of the agreement included that: 1) in lieu of termination, Respondent agreed to resign effective May 23, 2000; and, 2) in exchange for resigning, the school district agreed to pay Respondent wages from December 15, 1999, the date he was suspended without pay, through May 23, 2000. STATUTORY VIOLATIONS STATUTORY ee COUNT 1: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section 231,2615(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 231.2015(1)(®), 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 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section 231.2615(1)G), 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 4: _ 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 5: 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. EDRA J. TULLIS Administrative Complaint Page 3 of 3 COUNT 6: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(4)(c), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has used institutional privileges for personal gain or advantage. WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission impose an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 231.262(7) and 231.2615(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 & dayof_ MAY 2002. - Cri Charlie Crist, as Commissioner of Education, State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 02-003532PL