Petitioner: DR. ERIC J. SMITH, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: LAURIE JEAN MAZE
Judges: SUSAN BELYEU KIRKLAND
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Fort Myers, Florida
Filed: Dec. 18, 2008
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, January 8, 2009.
Latest Update: Jan. 31, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION
CY USY5PL me ST Ate
DR. ERIC J. SMITH, as
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 067-3704-O
LAURIE JEAN MAZE,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Dr. Eric J. Smith, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against LAURIE JEAN MAZE. 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.
The Petitioner alleges:
JURISDICTION
1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 683805, covering the area of
English, which was valid through June 30, 2007.
2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an English Teacher
at Ida S. Baker High School in the Lee County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. During the 2006-2007 school year the Respondent engaged in inappropriate conduct
of a sexual nature with a male colleague while on school grounds. The Respondent also repeatedly
used the school district's computers and email system to exchange sexually explicit emails with the
male colleague. .
The Petitioner charges:
LAURIE JEAN MAZE
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 2
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 Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(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 Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(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)(c), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has used institutional privileges for
personal gain or advantage.
WHEREFORE, based on the reasons set forth herein and in accordance with the
Explanation. of. Rights. and. Election of Rights forms attached. to. and made a part of this
Administrative Complaint, Petitioner respectfully recommends that the Education Practices
Commission impose an appropriate sanction against the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant
to the authority provided in Sections 1012.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes. The sanctions
imposed by the Education Practices Commission may include, but are not limited to, any one or a
combination of the following: issuing the Respondent a written reprimand; placing the Respondent
on probation for any period of time; restricting the Respondent’s authorized scope of practice;
assessing the Respondent an administrative fine; directing the Respondent to enroll in the Recovery
Network Program; suspending the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for a period of time not to
exceed five years; revoking the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for a period of time up to 10
years or permanently; or barring the Respondent from reapplying for an educator’s certificate for a
period of time up to 10 years or permanently.
co -
EXECUTED on this_ 2° day of Pipe \ , 2008.
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 08-006341PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Jan. 08, 2009 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
Jan. 06, 2009 |
Motion to Close File and Relinquish Jurisdiction to the EPC filed.
|
Dec. 29, 2008 |
Joint Response to Order Re-opening File Dated December 18, 2008 filed.
|
Dec. 18, 2008 |
Order Re-opening File.
|
Dec. 16, 2008 |
Motion to Reopen Case filed. (FORMERLY DOAH CASE NO. 08-4545PL)
|
Sep. 17, 2008 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Sep. 17, 2008 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Sep. 17, 2008 |
Letter to K. Richards from Agency`s General Counsel requesting administrative hearing and notification of counsel of record.
|
Sep. 17, 2008 |
Agency referral filed.
|