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PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION vs CHERYL SMITH, 18-005407PL (2018)

Court: Division of Administrative Hearings, Florida Number: 18-005407PL Visitors: 3
Petitioner: PAM STEWART, AS COMMISSIONER OF EDUCATION
Respondent: CHERYL SMITH
Judges: J. BRUCE CULPEPPER
Agency: Department of Education
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: Oct. 15, 2018
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Thursday, November 15, 2018.

Latest Update: Jan. 03, 2025
STATE OF FLORIDA EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 167-3023 CHERYL ANN SMITH, Respondent. ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT Petitioner, Pam Stewart, as Commissioner of Education, files this Administrative Complaint against CHERYL ANN SMITH. 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 920890, covering the area of Business Education, which is valid through June 30, 2018. 2. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as an Alternative Education Teacher at Orange Youth Academy in the Orange County School District. MATERIAL ALLEGATIONS Bs, On or about February 8, 2017, Respondent reported to her teaching position when students were present Respondent was first observed asleep in her vehicle in the school parking lot. Upon being awoken, Respondent spoke with slurred speech and cried easily. Upon entering the school, Respondent walked with an uneven and stumbling gait. Two administrators, trained in observation for reasonable suspicion, observed Respondent to have slurred speech and glassy eyes, to have an odor of alcohol, to have an unsteady gait and to exhibit confusion. Respondent was required to submit to a reasonable suspicion test. CHERYL ANN SMITH Administrative Complaint Page 2 of 2 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. 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 |(* dayof October 2017. / ) Y) bo aeesd PAM STEWART, as Commissioner of Education State of Florida

Docket for Case No: 18-005407PL
Source:  Florida - Division of Administrative Hearings

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