STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION DR. ERIC J. SMITH, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NOQ. 090-2875 GRACE AMELIA JONES, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Dr. Eric J, Smith, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against GRACE AMELIA JONES. 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 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 401431, covering the areas of Administration/Supervision, Elementary Education, and Reading, which is valid through June 30, 2013. 2. Atall times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a First Grade Teacher at Lake Lucina Elementary School in the Duval County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about February 1, 2010, the Respondent slapped K.S., a first grade female student, in a school hallway prior to the beginning of school and in the presence of several third grade students, including G.S., who is K.S.’s brother. The Respondent slapped K.S. on the face and pulled K.-S. by the shirt or jacket. Filed August 31, 2011 10:05 AM Division of Administrative Hearings GRACE AMELIA JONES Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 4. After the incident with K.S., the Respondent engaged in inappropriate conduct. Specifically: (a) Later in the day, the Respondent approached G.S. and told G.S. to tell his mother that K.S. had misbehaved in class and that the Respondent had not slapped K.S.; (b) The Respondent also approached four third-grade students, M.G., A.F., J.J. and A.S., and stated that if she discovered who had written a statement about the incident, that student would be in trouble; and (c) The Respondent told students that she would sue students who reported the incident with K.S.. 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 Respondents in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(j), 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- 1.606(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)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. COUNT 5: 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. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) GRACE AMELIA JONES 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; 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 \ (es day of wal Cry , 2011. SE DR. ERIGY. SMITH, as Comunissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 11-004425PL