Petitioner: DR. ERIC J. SMITH, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: TODD CHRISTOPHER SETTER
Judges: SUSAN BELYEU KIRKLAND
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Tampa, Florida
Filed: Mar. 27, 2009
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, May 26, 2009.
Latest Update: Feb. 07, 2025
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STATE OF FLORIDA i & Ep
EDUCATION PRACTICES commission a9 Mp 5
27
DR. ERIC J. SMITH, as Aqsa Pe “often, AO,
Commissioner of Education, ?,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 045-0744-D
TODD CHRISTOPHER SETTER,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Dr. Eric J. Smith, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against TODD CHRISTOPHER SETTER. 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 Professionai 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 716042, covering the areas of
Educational Leadership, Emotionally Handicapped, Mathematics, General Science, Psychology and
Gifted, which is valid through June 30, 2010.
2. Atall times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Mathematics Teacher
in the Hillsborough County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. Respondent has a history of inappropriate touching and communication with male
students. On or about January 22, 2001, the district issued Respondent a letter of reprimand with
regard to an inappropriate sexual conversation with a male student. The district further directed
Respondent to avoid any appearance of impropriety with regard to students. On or about July 30,
2002, the Commissioner of Education found probable cause to sanction Respondent’s Educator’s
Certificate as a result of the incident. On or about September 19, 2003, the Education Practices
TODD CHRISTOPHER SETTER
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 3
Commission issued Respondent a letter of reprimand.
4. During the 2003/2004 school year, Respondent inappropriately touched F.L., a
thirteen-year-old, male student, by hugging him on a regular basis, pinching his cheeks and rubbing
his neck. Additionally, while on a class field trip, Respondent placed his forehead directly on F.L.’s
forehead, rubbed F.L.’s back and linked little fingers with F.L. during a park ride. On or about
September 7, 2004, the district suspended Respondent for two days and issued him a letter of
reprimand in response to the conduct.
5. During the 2005/2006 school year, Respondent inappropriately touched P.C., a
thirteen-year-old, male student, by hugging him on a regular basis, pinching his cheeks and tickling
him. On or about January 25, 2006, Respondent hugged P.C. from behind and stated, “I would love
to adopt you,” or words to that effect. Respondent then held P.C.’s arms out by his side and told
him, “You just need a good tickle,” or words to that effect. On or about May 17, 2006, the district
issued Respondent a letter of reprimand in response to the conduct.
The Petitioner charges:
STATUTE VIOLATIONS
COUNT i: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(c), Florida Statutes,
in that Respondent has been guiity of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude.
COUNT2: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(), 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 3: 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 health and/or safety.
COUNT 4: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(g), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has harassed or discriminated against
a student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs,
marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shal!
make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
(SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
TODD CHRISTOPHER SETTER
Administrative Complaint
Page 3 of 3
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.
EXECUTED on this VLa*S day of TVersenorsy _, 2008.
Commissioner of Education
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 09-001594PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
May 26, 2009 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
May 22, 2009 |
Motion to Close File filed.
|
May 20, 2009 |
Agency`s court reporter confirmation letter filed with the Judge.
|
Apr. 06, 2009 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Apr. 06, 2009 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for May 27, 2009; 9:00 a.m.; Tampa, FL).
|
Mar. 27, 2009 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Mar. 27, 2009 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Mar. 27, 2009 |
Letter to K. Richards from Agency`s General Counsel requesting administrative hearing and notification of counsel of record.
|
Mar. 27, 2009 |
Agency referral
|
Mar. 27, 2009 |
Initial Order.
|