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DR. ERIC J. SMITH, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs DOUGLAS BLAIR EDWARDS, 11-005034PL (2011)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 11-005034PL Visitors: 51
Petitioner: DR. ERIC J. SMITH, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: DOUGLAS BLAIR EDWARDS
Judges: THOMAS P. CRAPPS
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: Sep. 28, 2011
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Wednesday, December 21, 2011.

Latest Update: May 17, 2024
STATE GF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION DR. ERIC J, SMITH, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 101-0007 DOUGLAS BLAIR EDWARDS, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Dr. Eric J. Smith, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against DOUGLAS BLAIR EDWARDS. 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 831473, covering the areas of Educational Leadership, History, Reading, Exceptional Student Education, which is valid through June 30, 2013. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Reading Teacher at Timber Creek High School in the Orange County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. During the 2009-2010 school year, the Respondent made inappropriate comments to female students. Specifically: (a) the Respondent told J.J. that her “buti was getting bigger;” (b) the Respondent hugged J.R. and told her that he loved her, and commented on J.R.’s “booty;” Filed September 28, 2011 3:25 PM Division of Administrative Hearings DOUGLAS BLAIR EDWARDS Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 (c) when J.P, leaned forward in her desk, the Respondent told J-F. that “it’s nice to have a view of your butt” or words to that effect; (d) the Respondent commented upon the physical appearance of female students; and (e) the Respondent told several female students that they were “cute,” “pretty” and were “too cute for those boys.” 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)(), 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)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) DOUGLAS BLAIR EDWARDS 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 ora 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 \ hny of (Vloss _» 2011. DR. C J. SMITH, as mer of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 11-005034PL
Issue Date Proceedings
Dec. 21, 2011 Order Closing File. CASE CLOSED.
Dec. 15, 2011 Motion to Close File filed.
Nov. 28, 2011 Order Granting Continuance and Placing Case in Abeyance (parties to advise status by December 16, 2011).
Nov. 23, 2011 Unopposed Motion for Continuance filed.
Nov. 22, 2011 Notice of Transfer.
Oct. 21, 2011 Order Granting Continuance and Re-scheduling Hearing (hearing set for December 1, 2011; 9:00 a.m.; Orlando, FL).
Oct. 19, 2011 Respondent's Amended Unopposed Motion to Continue and Reschedule Final Hearing filed.
Oct. 19, 2011 Respondent's Unopposed Motion to Continue and Reschedule Final Hearing filed.
Oct. 06, 2011 Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
Oct. 06, 2011 Notice of Hearing (hearing set for November 14, 2011; 9:00 a.m.; Orlando, FL).
Oct. 04, 2011 Notice of Serving Discovery Requests to Petitioner filed.
Oct. 04, 2011 Notice of Appearance (Mark Herdman) filed.
Sep. 29, 2011 Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
Sep. 29, 2011 Initial Order.
Sep. 29, 2011 Certificate of Service of Discovery filed.
Sep. 28, 2011 Election of Rights filed.
Sep. 28, 2011 Agency referral filed.
Sep. 28, 2011 Letter to K. Richards from Agency`s General Counsel requesting administrative hearing and notification of counsel of record.
Sep. 28, 2011 Administrative Complaint filed.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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