Petitioner: CHARLIE CRIST, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: ELLA L. KEARSE
Judges: LARRY J. SARTIN
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Miami, Florida
Filed: Jan. 13, 2003
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Monday, February 24, 2003.
Latest Update: Dec. 26, 2024
Division of Administrative Hearings
STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISS#@N
Charlie Crist, as i] A oe
Commissioner of Education, Date : oa
Petitioner,
Vs. CASE NO. 990-1909-V
GAPC-
ELLA L. KEARSE, Oy 6 j0P
Respondent. _
/
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Charlie Crist, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against Ella L. Kearse. 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 352056, covering the area of
Sociology, which is valid through June 30, 2002.
2. Atall times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a 4th Grade Teacher
at North County Elementary School in the Miami-Dade County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. Onor about February 12, 2000, Respondent inappropriately disciplined a male
student, Q.G., dated of birth August 27, 1993. Q.G. is Respondent’s grandson and is being raised
by Respondent. On the date in question, Respondent choked, hit, threatened to kill, and used
profanity toward Q.G. for misbehaving in his class. On or about May 11, 2000, respondent
received a letter of reprimand for her conduct. Respondent resigned her teaching position
effective July 12, 2000, while termination proceedings were pending.
Coo!
Ella L. Kearse
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 2
STATUTORY VIOLATIONS
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
231.2615(1)(f), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent, upon investigation, has been found guilty of
personal conduct which seriously reduces her 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)(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 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.
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_ 25 dayof_ Oct. , 2001,
Charlie Crist, as
Commissioner of Education,
State of Florida
000 2-
Docket for Case No: 03-000090PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Feb. 24, 2003 |
Order Closing File issued. CASE CLOSED.
|
Feb. 21, 2003 |
Joint Motion to Cancel Hearing and to Relinquish Jurisdiction to EPC (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Feb. 21, 2003 |
Joint Motion to Cancel Hearing and to Relinquish Jurisdiction ot EPC (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Jan. 29, 2003 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
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Jan. 29, 2003 |
Notice of Hearing issued (hearing set for March 4, 2003; 9:30 a.m.; Miami, FL).
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Jan. 14, 2003 |
Initial Order issued.
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Jan. 13, 2003 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Jan. 13, 2003 |
Notice of Disputed Issue of Fact filed.
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Jan. 13, 2003 |
Agency referral filed.
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