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PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs SARAH HOWARD, 16-000729PL (2016)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 16-000729PL Visitors: 10
Petitioner: PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: SARAH HOWARD
Judges: LISA SHEARER NELSON
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Jacksonville, Florida
Filed: Feb. 11, 2016
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, February 23, 2016.

Latest Update: Jun. 27, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, VS. CASE NO, 134-1224 SARAH F. HOWARD, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against SARAH F. HOWARD. 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 772693, covering the areas of Biology and General Science, which is valid through June 30, 2016. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Biology Teacher at Sandalwood High School in the Duval County School District, MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about September 9, 2013, Respondent, in front of the class, told L.S., a fourteen year old, female student, to pull up her shirt and, referencing L.S.’s breasts, Respondent stated that she was not impressed. Respondent went on to say that if the class wanted to sce real, home-grown breasts that Respondent would show them hers. SARAH F. HOWARD Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: 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 effectiveness as an employee of the school board. COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of Section 1012.795(1)G), 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 fo unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) SARAH F. HOWARD 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 13" _ day of July 2015. ww Pecos PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 16-000729PL
Issue Date Proceedings
Feb. 23, 2016 Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction. CASE CLOSED.
Feb. 22, 2016 Unopposed Motion to Close File filed.
Feb. 19, 2016 Amended Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for April 18, 2016; 9:30 a.m.; Jacksonville and Tallahassee, FL; amended as to Venue).
Feb. 18, 2016 Notice of Ex-parte Communication.
Feb. 18, 2016 Notice of Telephonic Pre-hearing Conference (set for April 4, 2016; 10:30 a.m.).
Feb. 18, 2016 Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
Feb. 18, 2016 Notice of Hearing (hearing set for April 18, 2016; 9:30 a.m.; Jacksonville, FL).
Feb. 17, 2016 Respondent's Response to Initial Order filed.
Feb. 15, 2016 Petitioner's Response to Initial Order filed.
Feb. 11, 2016 Initial Order.
Feb. 11, 2016 Administrative Complaint filed.
Feb. 11, 2016 Election of Rights filed.
Feb. 11, 2016 Agency referral filed.
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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