STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, VS. CASE NO. 145-1423 DAVID EUGENE LAXTON, Respondent. / ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against DAVID EUGENE LAXTON. 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: JORISDICTION 1. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 514959, covering the areas of Biology, General Science, Physical Education and Middle Grades, which is valid through June 30, 2017. 2 At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Science Teacher at Suwannee High School in the Suwannee County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. In or around October 6, 2014, Respondent failed to report to administration or parent(s) when B.H., a seventeen year old, male, student wrestler, punched J.M., a fifteen year old, male, student wrestler, in the face with a closed fist causing injury to J.M. Further, Respondent failed to fill out and file the required accident/incident report following the altercation between B.H. and J.M. DAVID EUGENE LAXTON Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 4, On or about October 17, 2014, Respondent resigned in lieu of termination from his coaching position with the District. Respondent remained employed as an academic teacher with the District. 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 employée 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 physica! health and/or safety. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) DAVID EUGENE LAXTON 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 4st day of _ September 2015, PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education. State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 16-004965PL