Before the Education Practices Commission of the State of Florida

RICHARD CORCORAN,

Commissioner of Education, Petitioner,

vs. EPC CASE No. 21-0025-RT

Index No. 21-097-FOF DOAH CASE No. 20-0664PL

NIKKI WARRIS, PPS No. 178-2489 CERTIFICATE No. 1294936

Respondent.

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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 April 9, 2021 in Tallahassee, Florida, via video conference, for consideration of the Recommended Order entered in this case by BRITTANY O. FINKBEINER, Administrative Law Judge. Respondent was not present and was represented by Mark

S. Wilensky, Esquire, who also was not present at the hearing. Petitioner was represented by Robert Ehrhardt, Esquire and Charles Whitelock, Esquire.

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 Amended 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 12th day of April, 2021.

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 Nikki Warris, 401 Southwest 12 Avenue, Boca Raton, FL 33486 and Mark S. Wilensky, Esquire, 1200 Corporate Center Way, Suite 200, Wellington, FL 33414-8594 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 Charles T. Whitelock, Esquire, 300 Southeast 13th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 this 12th day of April, 2021.

COPIES FURNISHED TO:

Office of Professional Practices Services Bureau of Educator Certification Superintendent

Palm Beach County Schools

3300 Forest Hill Blvd., Room C316 West Palm Beach, FL 33406-5869

Chief Personnel Officer Palm Beach County Schools 3300 Forest Hill Boulevard, Room A-152

West Palm Beach, FL 33406-5870

Timothy Frizzell

Assistant Attorney General

Brittany O. Finkbeiner Administrative Law Judge

Division of Administrative Hearings 1230 Apalachee Parkway

Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550

Loretta Sloan, Clerk

Division of Administrative Hearings

Docket for Case No: 20-000664PL

Orders for Case No: 20-000664PL