Petitioner: JIM HORNE, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: ELIZABETH TRAFFORD
Judges: FRED L. BUCKINE
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: St. Petersburg, Florida
Filed: Sep. 25, 2003
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, November 7, 2003.
Latest Update: Dec. 24, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA C2 820 an
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION ES PIT Ie i
JIM HORNE, as . :
Commissioner of Education, errata
Petitioner,
vs. Case Number: 012-1183-M
ELIZABETH T. TRAFFORD,
Respondent. ;
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Jim Horne, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against ELIZABETH T. TRAFFORD. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate
disciplinary sanction of the Respondent's educator's certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.795
and 1012.796, 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 1012.795 (1) and 1012.796 (7), Florida Statutes.
JURISDICTION
1. The Respondent holds Florida educator's certificate 692064, covering the area
of Biology, which is valid through June 30, 2003.
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Biology
Teacher at Johnson Middle School, in the Manatee County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. On or about February 18, 2001, the Respondent was in possession of cocaine.
On or about February 18, 2001, the Respondent was arrested in Pinellas County, Florida,
and charged with the criminal offense of possession of cocaine.
4 On or about August 10, 2001, the Respondent admitted in a writcen agreement
with the Pinellas County State Attorney that she was guilty of the offense for which she was
charged.
5. On or about August 13, 2001, the Respondent was ordered to participate in a
pretrial intervention program for a period of 18 months.
STATUTORY VIOLATIONS
COUNT 1: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section
1012.795 (1) (c), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or
an act involving moral turpitude.
COUNT 2: The allegations of isconduct set forth herein are in violation of Section
1012.795 (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
Elizabeth T. Trafford
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 2
Education.
RULE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violations of Rule
6B-1.006 (5) (m), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent failed to report within 48
hours to appropriate authorities (determined by District) any arrests/charges involving the
abuse of a child or sale or possession of a controlled substance and failed to self-report any
conviction, finding of guilty, withholding of adjudication, commitment to a pretrial diversion
program, or entering a plea of guilty or nolo for any criminal offense other than a minor
traffic violation within 48 hours after the final judgement.
WHEREFORE, the Petitioner recommends that the Education Practices Commission
impose an appropriate penalty pursuant to the authority provided in Sections 1012.795 (1)
and 1012.796 (7), 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 oy reference.
EXECUTED on this Mh day of May , 2003.
/ -
AVW
Jiny Horne, as
mmissioner of Education,
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 03-003512PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Nov. 07, 2003 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Nov. 06, 2003 |
Voluntary Dismissal without Prejudice (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Nov. 04, 2003 |
Affidavit of Service (11) filed via facsimile. |
Nov. 04, 2003 |
Notice of Filing, Affidavits of Service (filed by Respondent via facsimile).
|
Nov. 04, 2003 |
Respondent`s Objection to Petitioner`s Request for Judicial Notice (filed via facsimile).
|
Nov. 03, 2003 |
Respondent`s Objection to Petitioner`s Notice of Other Wrongful Acts (filed via facsimile).
|
Oct. 28, 2003 |
Petitioner`s Request for Judicial Notice (filed via facsimile).
|
Oct. 28, 2003 |
Joint Pre-hearing Stipulations (filed via facsimile).
|
Oct. 28, 2003 |
Pre-Hearing Statement (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Oct. 28, 2003 |
Notice of Evidence of Other Wrongful Acts (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Oct. 17, 2003 |
Petitioner`s Witness and Exhibit List (filed via facsimile).
|
Oct. 08, 2003 |
Petitioner`s Notice of Deposition (E. Trafford) filed via facsimile.
|
Oct. 06, 2003 |
Response to Initial Order (filed by Respondent via facsimile).
|
Oct. 03, 2003 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Oct. 03, 2003 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for November 7, 2003; 9:00 a.m.; St. Petersburg, FL).
|
Oct. 02, 2003 |
Response to Initial Order (filed by Petitioner via facsimile).
|
Sep. 25, 2003 |
Letter to K. Richards from T. Odom requesting this matter be scheduled for hearing at the Division of Administrative Hearings filed.
|
Sep. 25, 2003 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Sep. 25, 2003 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Sep. 25, 2003 |
Agency referral filed.
|
Sep. 25, 2003 |
Initial Order.
|