STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION DR. TONY BENNETT, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 101-1779 KAREN KAE HOLCOMB, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Dr. Tony Bennett, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against KAREN KAE HOLCOMB. 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 6A-10.081, 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 415895, covering the areas of Art and Guidance and Counseling, which is valid through June 30, 2016. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an Art Teacher at Eustis High School in the Lake County School District, MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about November 17, 2009, the Respondent received an “Appraisal I - Instructor” performance appraisal in which the Respondent was rated as “Unacceptable” in the areas of Classroom Management; and Presentation and Knowledge of Subject Matter. The Respondent was placed on an improvement plan. 4. On or about April 23, 2010, the Respondent received an “Appraisal I - Instructor” performance appraisal in which the Respondent was rated as “Unacceptable” in the areas of Displays Skills in Making Assignments; Classroom Management; and Presentation and Knowledge of Subject KAREN KAE HOLCOMB Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 Matter. The Respondent was placed on a 90-day Performance Probation Plan. 5. On or about December 1, 2010, the Respondent received an “Appraisal I - Instructor” performance appraisal in which the Respondent was rated as “Unacceptable” in the areas of Planning; Classroom Management; Presentation and Knowledge of Subject Matter; Assessment; and Personal Characteristics and Professional Responsibility. 6. On or about December 10, 2010, the Lake County Superintendent of Schools notified the Respondent of her intent to recommend the Respondent’s dismissal pursuant to s. 1012.34, Florida Statutes, based upon her failure to improve performance deficiencies. 7. On or about April 9, 2012, the Lake County School Board terminated the Respondent’s employment. 8. The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.53(1), Florida Statutes, in that the. Respondent has failed to work diligently and faithfully to help students meet or exceed annual learning goals. 9. The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.53(2), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent failed to perform duties prescribed by rules of the district school board. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(c), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has proved to be incompetent to teach or to perform duties as an employee of the public school system or to teach in or to operate a private school. 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. het effectiveness as an employee of the school board. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) KAREN KAE HOLCOMB 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 2th day of Mewecd 2013. DR. TONY BENNETT as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 13-002082PL