STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 145-3133 RHONDA H. SHIELDS, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against RHONDA H. SHIELDS. 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 1047615, covering the areas of Elementary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum, which was valid through June 30, 2017. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an Eighth Grade Teacher at Riversprings Middle School in the Wakulla County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3, During the 2014-2015 school year, C.L. and K.J. were Respondent’s students at Riversprings Middle School. 4. On or about July 16, 2015, Respondent engaged in inappropriate conduct with students C.L. and K.J., both 15 year old males. Respondent provided alcohol to C.L. and K.J. and allowed them to drive Respondent’s car while they consumed the alcohol. Respondent, C.L., and K.J. drove to a remote area where Respondent engaged in sexual intercourse with K.J. RHONDA H. SHIELDS Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 3 5. On or about January 20, 2017, Respondent was arrested for two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor, a first degree misdemeanor. Respondent pled guilty to and was adjudicated guilty of the charges. 6. Respondent’s providing alcohol to minors and the subsequent criminal case alleged herein were reported by the media in Wakulla County. As a result, Respondent lost effectiveness as a Wakulla County School District employee in that members of the community no longer trusted Respondent to teach students. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(1)(d), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude as defined by rule of the State Board of Education. COUNT 2: The Respondent is in violation of section 1012.795(1)(f), Florida Statutes, in that Respondent has been convicted or found guilty of, or entered a plea of guilty to, regardless of adjudication of guilt, a misdemeanor, felony, or any other criminal charge, other than a minor traffic violation. . COUNT 3: 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 4: 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 5: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(2)(a)1, 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) RHONDA H. SHIELDS 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 )\>+ day of Nevarnhee , 2017. ee ae PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 18-000609PL