Petitioner: JOHN L. WINN, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: CHARLES H. KARD
Judges: SUSAN BELYEU KIRKLAND
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: St. Petersburg, Florida
Filed: Apr. 12, 2010
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, May 13, 2010.
Latest Update: Dec. 23, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA “&
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION 4/9 SEp _
Oy Ing
JOHN L. WINN, as dine 3 (Oy OF 8
Commissioner of Education, HE; AR} the AT} Ve
Petitioner,
vs. CASE NO. 056-0530-R
CHARLES H. KARD,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, John L. Winn, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint
against CHARLES H. KARD. The Petitioner secks 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 308545, covering the areas of
Economics, Marketing, Teacher Coordinator of Cooperative Education and Teacher Coordinator of
Work Experience Programs, which is valid through June 30, 2009.
2 Atall times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Economics Teacher
at Gibbs High School in the Pinellas County School District.
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3. Respondent has a long history of being disciplined for inappropriate comments to
students as evidenced by the following:
A. On or about April 20, 1977, Respondent’s principal issued him a letter of
reprimand for sexual comments to female students.
B. On or about March 19, 1985, Respondent’s superintendent issued him a letter
CHARLES H. KARD
Administrative Complaint
Page 2 of 3
of caution for inappropriate comments to female students.
C. On or about October 6, 1986, Respondent’s superintendent recommended
that Respondent be suspended for three days without pay for inappropriate
remarks to students.
D. On or about September 27, 1993, the district issued a letter of reprimand to
Respondent for inappropriate personal questions and comments.
On or about November 11, 1997, the district suspended Respondent for five
days without pay for inappropriate remarks to female students.
F, On or about March 21, 2002, Respondent’s assistant principal issued a letter
of caution to him for inappropriate comments about exceptional education
students.
G. On or about April 13, 2004, Respondent’s assistant principal issued a letter
of caution to hit for comments to two male students suggesting they jump
off a bridge or go to Iraq and get blown up.
4, During the Spring 2005 school semester, Respondent repeatedly made disparaging
remarks about students during class. Respondent stated that he was disgusted by a student who had
three children and that the student should be “put to sleep.” Respondent repeatedly joked about a
student who played the organ in his church on Sundays, suggesting the student goes to church and
“plays with his organ(s).” Upon returning from a trip to Bike Week in Daytona, Respondent
repeatedly commented on the girls in, “T-backs and chaps.” On or about June 8, 2005, Respondent
resigned from his teaching position with the district in anticipation of a recommendation by the
superintendent that he be terminated.
The Petitioner charges:
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.
COUNT2: 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 his effectiveness
as an employee of the school board.
COUNT3: The Respondentis 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.
CHARLES H. KARD
Administrative Complaint
Page 3 of 3
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 io learning and/or to the student’s mental health
and/or physical health and/or safety.
COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6B-
1.006(3)(€), 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(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 shall
make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
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_/ z day of Ppovereteer? , 2006.
LArril thr
JOIEN L. WINN, as
Commissioner of Education
Siate of Florida
Docket for Case No: 10-001890PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
May 13, 2010 |
Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
|
May 13, 2010 |
Petitioner's Motion to Cancel Hearing and Close File filed.
|
Apr. 13, 2010 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
|
Apr. 13, 2010 |
Notice of Hearing (hearing set for May 26, 2010; 9:00 a.m.; St. Petersburg, FL).
|
Apr. 13, 2010 |
Order Reopening File.
|
Apr. 05, 2010 |
Motion to Reopen Case filed. (FORMERLY DOAH CASE NO. 09-4768PL)
|
Sep. 02, 2009 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
|
Sep. 02, 2009 |
Election of Rights filed.
|
Sep. 02, 2009 |
Letter to K. Richards from Agency`s General Counsel requesting administrative hearing and notification of counsel of record.
|
Sep. 02, 2009 |
Agency referral filed.
|