STATE OF FLORIDA cee eS EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION wo JIM HORNE, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 001-2104-M LISA A. LARANGO, ange Ns csyre Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Jim Horne, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against LISA A. LARANGO. 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 101 2.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes. The Petitioner alleges: JURISDICTION 1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 660862, covering the areas of Elementary Education, Varying Exceptionalities, and School Principal, which is valid through June 30, 2006. 2. Atall times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Principal at Mulberry Middle School in the Polk County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. Between August 1999 and February 2001, Respondent failed to follow school board policy relating to the collection and expenditure of funds; but, instead, maintained. one or more external financial accounts contrary to school board policy. In one account, total deposits to the account were $63,380.80 and cash withdrawals totaled $22,994.76. There was no documentation for $10,882.87 of the cash withdrawals. Respondent was arrested and charged with Count 1, Official Misconduct; Count 2, Grand Theft; and Count 3, Scheme to Defraud. On or about September 6, LISA A. LARANGO Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 2001, Respondent entered into an 18-month, pre-trial intervention contract with the state attorney’s office. On or about April 23, 2001, Respondent was notified by the superintendent that he would not recommend the school board renew her contract. On or about May 22, 2001, the school board terminated Respondent’s employment. STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is 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 Respondentis in violation of Section 101 2.795(1)(f), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces her effectiveness as an employee of the school board. COUNT 3: The Respondentis in violation of Section 1 012.795(1)(i), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has violated the Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession prescribed by State Board of Education rules. RULE VIOLATIONS COUNT 4: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(4)(b), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally distorted or misrepresented facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression. COUNT 5: 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. COUNT 6: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B- 1.006(5)(a), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to maintain honesty in all professional dealings. LISA A. LARANGO Administrative Complaint Page 3 of 3 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 by reference. EXECUTED on this 2 7 tay of J, ly , 2004. wr J ORNE, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 05-000541PL