Petitioner: ERIC J. SMITH, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: DAVID VOLPE
Judges: SUSAN BELYEU KIRKLAND
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Lakeland, Florida
Filed: Jun. 29, 2009
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, July 7, 2009.
Latest Update: Dec. 26, 2024
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STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION
DR. ERIC J. SMITH, as
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 078-2497
DAVID ALAN VOLPE,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Dr. Eric J. Smith, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against DAVID ALAN VOLPE. The Petitioner seeks the appropriate disciplinary
sanction of the Respondent’s educator’s certificate pursuant to Sections 1012.315, 1012.795, and
1012.796, Florida Statutes, and pursuant to Rule 6B-1.006, Florida Administrative Code, Principles
of Professional Conduvt for the Education Profession in Florida, said sanctions specifically set forth
in Sections 1012.795(1) and 1012.796(7), Florida Statutes.
The Petitioner aileges:
JURISDICTION
1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 782303, covering the areas of
Athletic Coaching, Educational Leadership, Physical Education, and Social Science, which is valid
through June 30, 2009.
2. At all times pertiaent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Social Studies
Teacher at Lake Gibson Senior High School in the Polk County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATION:
3. During the 2007/2008 school year, the Respondent used his school issued computer
repeatedly to access pornography. The Respondent viewed inappropriate images, including nudity
and pornography, during work hours and during class when students were present. Students were
exposed to inappropriate images, and reported seeing inappropriate images.
DAVID ALAN VOLPE
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 3
The Petitioner charges:
STATUTE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(d), Florida Statutes,
in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude as
defined by rule of the State Board of Education..
COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(g), Florida Statutes,
in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduces his
effectiveness as an employee of the school board.
COUNT3: The Respondentis 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 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 health and/or safety.
COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct sét 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.
COUNT 6: 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.
(SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE)
DAVID ALAN VOLPE
Administrative Complaint
Page 3 of 3
WHEREFORE, based on the reasons set forth herein and in accordance with the
Explanation of Rights and Elestion 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; determining the Respondent to be ineligible for certification; 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 Wace day of Faerun 2009.
Commissioner of Education
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 09-003511PL