Petitioner: CHARLIE CRIST, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: MINERVA PETERSON
Judges: T. KENT WETHERELL, II
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: Sep. 12, 2002
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, November 15, 2002.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA M2 on,
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION ~~" /2 ,
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CHARLIE CRIST, as ,
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 990-1400-M
MINERVA PETERSON,
Respondent.
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ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
ADMIND LAL
Petitioner, Charlie Crist, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against Minerva Peterson. 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 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 231.2615(1), Florida Statutes.
The Petitioner alleges:
JURISDICTION
1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 385929, covering the areas of
Early Childhood Education and Elementary Education, which is valid through June 30, 2006.
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Science Teacher at
Meadowbrook Middle Schoo! in the Orange County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
MAIANAL SS
_
3. Prior to March 2000, Respondent received at least five written directives from school
administrators regarding her performance during the 1999-2000 school year. Four of these, dated
December 10, 1999, and February 1, 17, and 28, 2000, were for lack of classroom management
which on several occasions resulted in students being injured. Respondent failed to improve her
performance or otherwise comply with the written directives.
Minerva Peterson
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 2
4. In early March 2000, Respondent failed to properly supervise her students and,
contrary to repeated directions from her principal, she permitted more than one student to leave ~
the classroom at the same time. Asa direct result, T.F., a sixth-grade, female student, was
physically assaulted by several male students from Respondent’s class outside her classroom.
Four students were recommended for expulsion for this incident.
5. Onor about March 22, 2000, Respondent received a letter of reprimand from her
principal for lack of class room control. On or about April 12, 2000, Respondent was relieved of
duty with pay. She retumed to work on April 17, 2000. On or about April 24, 2000, Respondent
received another letter of reprimand from her principal for failure to follow written directives and
failure to provide a safe and secure environment for student education. On or about May 15,
2000, Respondent received her Final Assessment Report (annual evaluation) in which she was
rated as “ineffective” in all categories and received an overall rating of “ineffective.”
STATUTORY VIOLATIONS
COUNT 1: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section
231.2615(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 2: 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.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission
impose an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 231.262(6) and
231.2615(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_g@ 7 day of Judy 2001.
Nlarlie Crist. as
Commissioner of Education,
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 02-003533PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Nov. 15, 2002 |
Letter to Judge Kirkland from M. Levine stating settlement agreement has been sent to Petitioner filed.
|
Nov. 15, 2002 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Nov. 14, 2002 |
Motion to Cancel Hearing (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
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Oct. 17, 2002 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for November 20, 2002; 9:00 a.m.; Orlando, FL).
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Oct. 17, 2002 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
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Sep. 30, 2002 |
Letter to M. Levine from K. Richards advising there is a dispute between counsels for Petitioner and Respondent filed.
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Sep. 25, 2002 |
Response to Initial Order filed Respondent.
|
Sep. 12, 2002 |
Initial Order issued.
|
Sep. 12, 2002 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Sep. 12, 2002 |
Election of Rights filed.
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Sep. 12, 2002 |
Agency referral filed.
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