STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, ‘ VS. CASE NO. 167-1246 DOMINICK DINOTO, Respondent. / ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against DOMINICK DINOTO. 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 873261, covering the areas of Elementary Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Mathematics -Pre- Kindergarten/Primary Education and Exceptional Student Education, which is valid through June 30, 2021. 2: At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an Exceptional Student Education Teacher at Gateway Elementary School in the Lee County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS 3. On or about September 9, 2016, Respondent inappropriately disciplined LB., a nine year old, male student. Respondent became angered when I.B. removed a screw from a desk where he was sitting. Respondent demanded that IB. hand the screw to Respondent. When LB. attempted to hand over the screw, it fell to the floor whereupon Respondent grabbed IB. in the neck/shoulder area, pushed I.B. towards the floor while yelling, “Pick it up! Pick it up!” or DOMINICK DINOTO Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 2 words to that effect. Respondent’s conduct exposed LB. to embarrassment in front of the other students. The Petitioner charges: STATUTE VIOLATIONS COUNT 1: 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 2: 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. COUNT 3: The allegations of misconduct set forth herein are in violation of Rule 6A- 10.081(2)(a)5, Florida Administrative Code, in that Respondent has intentionally exposed a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement. 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 ye day of Min, , 2017. PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 18-000806PL