Before the Education Practices Commission of the State of Florida

RICHARD CORCORAN,

Commissioner of Education, Petitioner,

vs. EPC CASE No. 20-0311-TC

DOAH CASE No. 20-0320PL

TRUDY M. BENSON PPS No. 189-1224 CERTIFICATE No. 868131

Respondent. Index No.: 20-412-FOF

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Final Order

This matter was heard by a Teacher Panel of the Education Practices Commission pursuant to Sections 1012.795, 1012.796 and 120.57(1), Florida Statutes, on December 10, 2020 in Tallahassee, Florida, for consideration of the Recommended Order entered in this case by W. DAVID WATKINS, Administrative Law Judge.

Respondent was not present and was not represented counsel. Petitioner was represented by Bonnie Wilmot.

Findings of Fact

1

1. The findings of fact set forth in the Recommended Order are approved and adopted and incorporated herein by reference.

2. There is competent substantial evidence to support the findings of fact.

   
   

   Conclusions of Law

   
   

3. The Education Practices Commission has jurisdiction of this matter pursuant to Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes, and Chapter 1012, Florida Statutes.

4. The conclusions of law set forth in the Recommended Order are approved and adopted and incorporated herein by reference.

Penalty

Upon a complete review of the record in this case, the Commission determines that the Recommended Order issued by the Administrative Law Judge be ACCEPTED. It is therefore ORDERED that:

The Administrative Complaint issued against the Respondent is hereby

DISMISSED.

This Final Order takes effect upon filing with the Clerk of the Education Practices Commission.

DONE AND ORDERED, this 18th day of December, 2020.

NOTICE OF RIGHT TO JUDICIAL REVIEW

A PARTY WHO IS ADVERSELY AFFECTED BY THIS FINAL ORDER IS ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.68, FLORIDA STATUTES. REVIEW PROCEEDINGS ARE GOVERNED BY THE FLORIDA RULES OF APPELLATE PROCEDURE. SUCH PROCEEDINGS ARE COMMENCED BY FILING ONE COPY OF A NOTICE OF APPEAL WITH THE EDUCATION PRACTICES COMMISSION AND A SECOND COPY, ACCOMPANIED BY FILING FEES PRESCRIBED BY LAW, WITH THE DISTRICT

COURT OF APPEAL, FIRST DISTRICT, OR WITH THE DISTRICT COURT OF APPEAL IN

THE APPELLATE DISTRICT WHERE THE PARTY RESIDES. THE NOTICE OF APPEAL

MUST BE FILED WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS OF RENDITION OF THIS ORDER.

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE

I HEREBY CERTIFY that a copy of the foregoing Order was mailed to Trudy M. Benson, 19378 County Road 250, Live Oak, Florida 32060 by Certified U.S. Mail and by electronic mail to Bonnie Wilmot, Deputy General Counsel, Suite 1544, Turlington Building, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 and Ron Weaver, Esq., P.O. Box 770088, Ocala, FL 34477 this 18th day of December, 2020.

COPIES FURNISHED TO:

Office of Professional Practices Services Bureau of Educator Certification Superintendent

Suwannee County Schools 702 Second St., NW

Live Oak, FL 32060-1608

Marilyn Sapp, Personnel Dir. Suwannee County Schools 702 Second St., NW

Live Oak, FL 32060-1608

Timothy Frizzell

Assistant Attorney General

W. David Watkins Administrative Law Judge

Division of Administrative Hearings 1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550

Claudia Llado, Clerk

Division of Administrative Hearings

Docket for Case No: 20-000320PL

Orders for Case No: 20-000320PL