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PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs REBECCA WILLIAMS, 16-001653PL (2016)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 16-001653PL Visitors: 15
Petitioner: PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: REBECCA WILLIAMS
Judges: LISA SHEARER NELSON
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Gainesville, Florida
Filed: Mar. 23, 2016
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, April 14, 2016.

Latest Update: Jul. 02, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 145-2534 REBECCA AUDREY WILLIAMS, Respondent. / / ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart; as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against REBECCA AUDREY WILLIAMS. 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 1039518, covering the area of Athletic Coaching, which is valid through June 30, 2019. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an Athletic Coach / Student Services Specialist at Buchholz High School in the Alachua County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 4 3. During the 2014/2015 school year basketball season, Respondent, in her capacity as head coach of the girls’ basketball team, engaged in unsportsmanlike conduct at games, in front of her team and the public. Respondent yelled at officials claiming they were not calling the game fairly and accusing them of being horrible officials. Respondent yelled, “If I were one of those refs, T would not show my face at any function in town,” or words to that effect. Additionally, Respondent failed to properly supervise her players, allowing them to engage in similar unsportsmanlike conduct without correction or consequence. REBECCA AUDREY WILLIAMS Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 4 During the season referenced above, Respondent knowingly used an unauthorized player during multiple varsity games, The ineligible player was K.H., a female student who attended a charter school and who was not zoned for or eligible to play for Respondent's school, Respondent deliberately concealed K.HL.'s identity by listing her on rosters as JF. a female student from Respondent’s school who had tried out for the team but had not played in any games. K.H. wore number 33 in games. When questioned, Respondent identified number 33 as JP. 5. On or about January 26, 2015, the girls’ basketball team’s season was forfeited. 6. On or about January 30, 2015, Respondent was relieved of her coaching duties. 7. On or about February 24, 2015, the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) fined Respondent’s school and placed the girls’ basketball team on administrative probation for a period of one year. 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 101 2.795(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(4)(b), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally distorted or misrepresented facts concerning an educational matter in direct or indirect public expression. COUNT 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(5)(a), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to maintain honesty in all professional dealings. REBECCA AUDREY WILLIAMS Administrative Complai nt Page 3 of 3 WHEREFORE, based on the reasons set forth herein and in accordance with # Explanation of Rights and Election of Rights forms attached to and made a part of this Administrative Complaint, Petitioner respectfully recommends that the Education Practic 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. T sanctions imposed by the Education Practices Commission may include, but are not limited 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 enroll in the Recovery Network Program; suspending the Respondent's educator’s certificate a period of time not to exceed five years; revoking the Respondent’s educator’s certificate for a Ne eS ne 0; to or period of time up to 10 years or permanently; determining the Respondent to be ineligible or certification; or barring the Respondent from reapplying for an educator's certificate for a period of time up to 10 years or permanently. 6 EXECUTED on this | day of Se p tember , 2015, Adi becerf PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 16-001653PL
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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