STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 123-3207 JOHANNA LEE COURTS-BRYANT, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against JOHANNA LEE COURTS-BRYANT. 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 G6A-10,081, Florida Administrative Cade, 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 893049, covering the area of Exceptional Student Education, which was valid through June 30, 2015. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher at Gove Elementary School in the Palm Beach County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS a 3. On or about August 28, 2009, Respondent entered into a pre-trial diversion program (PTI) in an attempt to settle a charge of Grand Theft. Respondent failed to notify her district, as required by law, of her PT] agreement. 4. Over the course of the PT] agreement, Respondent provided law enforcement with false or misleading information regarding her employment as an educator in an apparent attempt to keep her district from becoming aware of the criminal charge lodged against her. JOHANNA LEE COURTS-BRYANT Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(1)(j), 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 2: — 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. COUNT 3: The Respondent is in violation of Rule 6A-10.081(5)(h), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has submitted fraudulent information on a document in connection with professiona! activities. COUNT 4: The Respondent is in violation of Rule 6A-10.081(5)(m), Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has failed to self-report within forty-eight (48) hours to appropriate authorities (as determined by district) any arrests/charges involving the abuse of a child or the saie and/or possession of a controlled substance. Such notice shall not be considered an admission of guilt nor shall such notice be admissible for any purpose in any proceeding, civil or criminal, administrative or judicial, investigatory or adjudicatory. In addition, Respondent shall self-report any conviction, finding of guilt, withholding of adjudication, commitment to a pretrial diversion program, or entering of a plea of guilty or Nolo Contendere for any criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation within forty-eight (48) hours after the final judgment. When handling sealed and expunged records disclosed under this rule, school districts shall comply with the confidentiality provisions of sections 943.0585(4)(c) and 943,059(4)(c), Florida Statutes. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) JOHANNA LEE COURTS-BRYANT 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 vears: 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 @™ aay of Movember _. 2015. Moy Levears PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 16-004594PL