Petitioner: PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: AUSTIN JOHNS, JR.
Judges: LISA SHEARER NELSON
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: East Palatka, Florida
Filed: Oct. 23, 2015
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Friday, November 6, 2015.
Latest Update: Dec. 22, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION
PAM STEWART, as
Commissioner of Education,
Petitioner,
VS. CASE NO, 123-2983
AUSTIN BLANE JORNS, JR.,
Respondent.
ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative
Complaint against AUSTIN BLANE JOHNS, JR. 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 1143312, covering the areas
of English and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), which was valid through June
30, 2014,
2. Atali times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an English Teacher
at Palatka High School in the Putnam County School District,
MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS
3, During the 2012-2013 school year, the Respondent engaged in an inappropriate
romantic relationship with 15-year-old female student K.P.
The Petitioner charges:
STATUTE VIOLATIONS
COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)(g), Florida Statutes,
AUSTIN BLANE JOHNS, JR.
Adrninistrative Complaint
Page 2 of 2
in that Respondent has been found guilty of personal conduct which eriously reduces
effectiveness as an employee of the school board.
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 6A-
10.081(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 6A-
10.081(3)(e), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a
student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
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 % day of _Mareh > 2015,
PAM STEWART, as
Commissioner of Education
State of Florida
Docket for Case No: 15-006019PL