STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO, 156-1446 DEBRA L. KOPERA, Respondent, ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against DEBRA L. KOPERA. 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 lL. The Respondent holds Florida Educator’s Certificate 751945, covering the areas of Elementary Education and Varying Exceptionalities, which is valid through June 30, 2017. 2, At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a Fourth Grade Teacher at Hernando Elementary School in the Citrus County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about October 12, 2015, Respondent was under the influence of alcohol while on duty and in the presence of students. Respondent was observed behaving in a clumsy or uncoordinated manner, with tearing or watery eyes, with an unfocused or blank stare, slurring her words, incoherent, speaking rapidly, excessively talkative, losing her place while reading aloud to students, smelling of alcohol, not finishing sentences and unable to answer questions. Respondent submitted to a reasonable suspicion test. DEBRA L, KOPERA Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 4, As a result of Respondent’s conduct alleged herein, Respondent entered a Stipulated Agreement for Discipline with the Citrus County School Board, whereby Respondent agreed to be suspended from her employment without pay beginning December 7, 2015 for the remainder of the 2015-2016 school year. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT i: 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 us an employee of the school board: COUNT 2: The Respondent ts 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 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. (SIGNATURE ON FOLLOWING PAGE) DEBRA L. ROPERA 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 1012.793(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 (5° day of Wyawcla , 2016. “Ny Papin > PAM. STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 16-006772PL