The Issue The issue is whether Petitioner’s Petition for Relief should be dismissed for failure to allege facts sufficient to invoke the jurisdiction of the Florida Commission on Human Relations (the “FCHR”) under section 760.10, Florida Statutes.1 1 Citations shall be to Florida Statutes (2020) unless otherwise specified. Section 760.10 has been unchanged since 1992, save for a 2015 amendment adding pregnancy to the list of classifications protected from discriminatory employment practices. Ch. 2015-68, § 6, Laws of Fla.
Findings Of Fact The Department is an employer as that term is defined in section 760.02(7). The Petition for Relief alleges the following ultimate facts, which are accepted as true for purposes of ruling on the Motion: I believe I have been discriminated against based on my race (Black), sex (male), and age (over 40). I also believe I am being retaliated against for filing a complaint with Florida Commission on Human Relations and in Federal Court. I have been working within the Gadsden County School system since January 2008 as a substitute teacher and have teaching experience. Around or on October 2020, I applied for a Social Studies position and was not offered an interview by the principal because DOE deliberately and maliciously held clearance letter to deny employment. Section 760.10 titled “Unlawful employment practices,” is the statute under which the FCHR exercises jurisdiction of the Petition for Relief. Section 760.10(1)(a) states that it is an unlawful employment practice for an employer to discriminate against any individual “with respect to compensation, terms, conditions, or privileges of employment, because of such individual’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status.” The Motion states that Petitioner is not, and never has been, an employee of the Department. Respondent’s Chief of Human Resource Management, David Dawkins, conducted a system-wide search and verified that Petitioner has never been employed by the Department. Mr. Dawkins’s affidavit to that effect was attached to the Motion. Mr. Jones did not contest the contents of Mr. Dawkins’s affidavit. The Motion also references section 760.10(5) as a possible avenue under which Mr. Jones might seek relief against the Department. Section 760.10(5) provides: Whenever, in order to engage in a profession, occupation, or trade, it is required that a person receive a license, certification, or other credential, become a member or an associate of any club, association, or other organization, or pass any examination, it is an unlawful employment practice for any person to discriminate against any other person seeking such license, certification, or other credential, seeking to become a member or associate of such club, association, or other organization, or seeking to take or pass such examination, because of such other person’s race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, handicap, or marital status. In theory, the Department’s alleged “deliberate and malicious” withholding of Mr. Jones’s “clearance letter,” i.e., a Temporary Certificate to teach, could constitute a violation of section 760.10(5). However, the Department pointed out that after Mr. Jones applied for a Florida Educator Certificate, the Department sent him an “Official Statement of Status of Eligibility” on October 12, 2017. A copy of the Department’s letter to Mr. Jones was attached to the Motion. The letter informed Mr. Jones that he was eligible for a Temporary Certificate covering Social Science (Grades 6-12), if he completed the following requirements and documented them to the Bureau of Educator Certification (“BOE”): verification of employment and request for issuance of certificate on the appropriate certification form from a Florida public, state supported, or nonpublic school which has an approved Professional Education Competence Program. results of your fingerprint processing from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI. Your employer will assist you in completing the fingerprint process. If your application or fingerprint report reflects a criminal offense or suspension/revocation record, your file will be referred to Professional Practices Services for further review. Issuance of your certificate will be contingent upon the results of this review. The Motion states that Mr. Jones submitted only the results of his fingerprint processing to BOE. Therefore, BOE was legally precluded from issuing a Temporary Certificate to Petitioner. Attached to the Motion was the affidavit of Daniel Moore, Chief of BOE, attesting to the fact that a request for issuance from a Florida public, state supported, or nonpublic school which has an approved Professional Education Competence Program is required in order for BOE to issue a Temporary Certificate. Mr. Moore’s affidavit is confirmed by Florida Administrative Code Rule 6A-4.004(1)(a)2., requiring verification of full-time employment by a Florida school district before a Temporary Certificate may be issued. Mr. Jones did not contest the contents of Mr. Moore’s affidavit. Based on the foregoing, the Motion requests entry of a summary recommended order of dismissal because Mr. Jones’s pleadings and admissions of fact, including those in his response to the Motion, are facially and conclusively insufficient to prove that he was ever an employee of the Department, or that the Department’s failure to issue a teaching certificate to Mr. Jones was based on anything more than the ministerial operation of the Department’s own rule. Mr. Jones’s response to the Motion does not address, and therefore appears to concede, the Department’s statement that he is not and has never been an employee of the Department. Mr. Jones did not allege that he has ever been an employee of, or an applicant for employment by, the Department. Mr. Jones’s response does not address the fact that the Department’s rule forbids it to issue a Temporary Certificate without verification of full- time employment. Rather, Mr. Jones pursues an argument alleging that the denial was somehow based on his criminal record and that denial on that basis is discriminatory because of the disproportionate percentage of African American and Latino citizens who have criminal records in comparison to Caucasians. Mr. Jones claims that the Department’s stated reason for denying him a Temporary Certificate was pretextual and that the actual reason was racial discrimination premised on his criminal record. In a related case, Mr. Jones has alleged that the Gadsden County School Board declined to hire him because of his criminal record, and that this declination was a pretext for discrimination based on race, age, and/or sex. The merits of Mr. Jones’s case against the local school board and its subsidiary institutions are not at issue here. The question in this case is whether the Department had anything to do with Mr. Jones’s failure to gain employment by the Gadsden County School Board. The undisputed facts establish that the Department’s role in this process was purely ministerial. Had Mr. Jones secured employment, the school that hired him would have requested the issuance of a Temporary Certificate by the Department. By operation of rule 6A-4.004(1)(a)2., the Department would have issued the Temporary Certificate. The Department had no role in the decisions of the local school officials to hire or not hire Mr. Jones. It is found that Mr. Jones has not alleged facts sufficient to state a case against the Department under section 760.10, and that he would not be able to prove at hearing that he was ever an employee of the Department, or that the failure to issue a Temporary Certificate to Mr. Jones was anything more than the Department’s following the requirements of its own rule.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Florida Commission on Human Relations issue a final order finding that the Department of Education did not commit any unlawful employment practices and dismissing the Petition for Relief filed in this case. DONE AND ENTERED this 13th day of July, 2021, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S LAWRENCE P. STEVENSON Administrative Law Judge 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 13th day of July, 2021. COPIES FURNISHED: Tammy S. Barton, Agency Clerk Florida Commission on Human Relations Room 110 4075 Esplanade Way Tallahassee, Florida 32399-7020 Dan Saunders Florida Department of Education Turlington Building, Room 101 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Ronald David Jones 1821 McKelvy Street Quincy, Florida 32351 Paula Harrigan, Esquire Department of Education Suite 1544 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Cheyanne Costilla, General Counsel Florida Commission on Human Relations Room 110 4075 Esplanade Way Tallahassee, Florida 32399-7020
The Issue The issue in this case is whether Petitioner had just or good cause to reject the Superintendent's recommendation that Respondent be re-appointed on probationary status to a one- semester teaching position as agriculture teacher.
Findings Of Fact Background Ms. Lee graduated from Florida State University in 1973 with a bachelors degree in art education. She received a masters degree in agriculture education from the University of Florida in 1984. She has served as an extension director for the Seminole Tribe and was a teacher in the Pahokee Junior Senior High School for about 14 years. She also held a position in the Ft. Pierce school system for a short time. She was initially employed by the Hamilton County School Board as a substitute teacher in March of 1998. Subsequently she was hired on an annual contract as the agriculture teacher at Hamilton County High School for the 1998- 1999 school year. Ms. Lee was issued a temporary-non-renewable certificate as a teacher, by the Florida Department of Education on October 17, 1998. This certificate covered the period July 1, 1998 through June 30, 2000. Pursuant to a favorable recommendation by Superintendent Parks, Ms. Lee was hired as the agriculture teacher for the school year 1999-2000. This contract required that she complete required college semester hours by September 1999, and receive a passing score on the Florida Teachers Certification Examination. This contract expired on May 31, 2000. Ms. Lee bought a used recreational vehicle with her own funds so that she could transport her students to agricultural events. Ms. Lee invested a lot of her own time and money into trying to enhance the agriculture program. Her husband helped her in this regard. During a time shortly before March 16, 2000, some of her students applied spray paint to Ms. Lee's recreational vehicle. Subsequently, when Ms. Lee learned that her vehicle had been vandalized, she used inappropriate language in front of an agriculture student, Ruben Perez, who was 18 years of age at the time. This occurred in her classroom and in the vicinity of her classroom. Ruben Perez surreptitiously tape-recorded this language. Ruben Perez stated that Ms. Lee had used inappropriate language prior to this incident which included vulgar language delivered in a loud voice. The Superintendent of Schools, Ms. Patricia Parks suspended Ms. Lee, without pay, on March 16, 2000. On March 24, 2000, Superintendent Parks, sent a letter to Ms. Lee advising that her suspension was reversed and that she would be reinstated with back pay and benefits. This action was taken subsequent to having been advised of the illegality of using the surreptitious tape-recording by Ms. Lee's attorney. The letter further advised Ms. Lee that there would be no record of the incident. Action by the Board At the end of the school year, Ms. Cheri Landry recommended to Superintendent Parks, in an undated letter, that Ms. Lee be given a contract for a one-semester position as "agriculture instructor/FFA advisor," for the period August 8, 2000 to December 20, 2000. This appointment was to be a probationary appointment. This recommendation noted that Ms. Landry had talked with Ms. Lee regarding, "areas in which she needs to improve which include "Climate/Learning Environment and Administration/Management." Superintendent Parks recommended to the Board that Ms. Lee be appointed to the position of agriculture teacher. A copy of a letter from Ms. Landry to Ms. Lee was appended to the recommendation. This letter summarized the areas in which Ms. Lee needed to improve. These documents represent the entirety of the information provided to the board with regard to Ms. Lee at the June 19, 2000, meeting. On June 19, 2000, the Board decided by a three-to-two vote, not to appoint Ms. Lee as recommended by Superintendent Parks. No record of the discussion of the reason for the Board's rejection was given other than Board member Ottis M. Cercy's statement that the firing was for "just cause." Ms. Lee was not given prior notice that the Board had under consideration the rejection of Superintendent Parks' recommendation. On June 19, 2000, Ms. Lee was in Texas with some of her agriculture students at a Future Farmers of America event. She was not under contract with the Board on that date and she was not paid by the Board for this activity. At the hearing, Board members Larry Carver, Martha Butler, and Ottis M. Cercy, stated that they had voted against the motion to enter into a new contract with Ms. Lee because they had received information, prior to the meeting of the Board, that Ms. Lee had cursed in the presence of students, and had permitted tobacco use and card playing in the classroom. Subsequently, Board Members Larry Carver, Martha Butler, and Otis M. Cercy sought additional information in an effort to ratify their action. Allegations of Misbehavior Mr. Wendell Hill, a retired teacher, had seen agriculture students smoking and dipping in an area where Ms. Lee could have seen them. Despite the fact that Hamilton County High School was officially a tobacco-free campus, students, as well as teachers, smoked on campus, and used smokeless tobacco. Mr. Hill also heard Ms. Lee speaking in a loud voice while in class. Jane Lowe, a history teacher and president of the teachers' union, observed that adults employed at Hamilton County High School occasionally smoked behind the boiler room. Evidence of smokeless tobacco use in Ms. Lee's room had been observed by Mr. Pinello, assistant principal of the high school. This observation occurred when he was the dean of students. Mr. Pinello did not relay this information to the principal. Mr. Pinello received some complaints with regard to the cleanliness of Ms. Lee's "environment" and classroom. He checked on this and relayed information regarding his findings to the principal. He received oral complaints that Ms. Lee had used inappropriate language but took no steps to confirm the reports. Allegations concerning Ms. Lee smoking, or permitting the use of tobacco products, were not presented to Ms. Landry prior to the June 19, 2000, Board meeting. Ms. Lee does not smoke nor did she knowingly permit students to use tobacco products. Moreover, she taught her students about the evils of tobacco use and encouraged them to refrain from tobacco use. The only witness who alleged vulgar conduct on the part of Ms. Lee during the incident precipitated by the vandalism of her recreational vehicle was Ruben Perez. He was also the only witness, with claimed personal knowledge, who alleged that Ms. Lee was vulgar at any time. The Board's minutes of May 22, 2000, revealed that Superintendent Parks had actively sought students as witnesses to the events described by Ruben Perez, but none could be found. No evidence was adduced demonstrating that the School Board or Hamilton County High School had a policy addressing vulgar language for either students or teachers. One student was suspended for a year for using vulgar language subsequent to June 19, 2000. The football coach has used vulgar language in front of school children but the Board has not fired him or taken any disciplinary action against him. Ms. Lee was first appointed to the position of agriculture instructor for the school year 1997-1998. Subsequently, for the school year 1998-1999, her appointment was subject to passing the Florida Teacher Certification Examination and passing additional course work. She held a temporary, non- renewable certificate from the Florida Department of Education for the period October 17, 1998 through June 30, 2000. She submitted an application for a new certificate dated June 12, 2000. At the time of the June 19, 2000, meeting of the Board, she had not completed the required semester hours of continuing education or taken the required certification examination. She successfully completed the requirements prior to the beginning of the 2000-2001 school year. The Board has often approved the appointment of teachers with temporary certificates. At the time of the hearing in this case, there were many teachers in the Hamilton County School system teaching under the authority of temporary certificates. Matters in Mitigation The agriculture operation at Hamilton County High School had in previous years, "gotten out of hand." The agriculture class had been a problem for 20 years. Ms. Lee improved the operation of the agriculture program by introducing new activities so that more students could be involved in the program. She promoted the Supervised Agricultural Experience Program and had winners in Future Farmers of America programs. She has involved the students in many projects including supporting the Farm Bureau in their annual dinner. The students provided a barbecue for the rodeo. She was heavily involved with her students and enhanced the agriculture program in many ways. Ms. Landry, the principal of Hamilton County High School, believes that Ms. Lee did a very good job and wants her to resume her position.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Board enter a final order appointing Ms. Lee, on probationary status, to a one-semester teaching position as agriculture teacher dating back to the beginning of school year 2000-2001. The order should reflect that she is to be awarded full pay and benefits for the contract period for which she was recommended. DONE AND ENTERED this 11th day of December, 2000, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. HARRY L. HOOPER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 11th day of December, 2000. COPIES FURNISHED: Steven C. Bullock, Esquire J. Rhett Bullard, Esquire Brannon, Brown, Haley, Robinson & Bullock, P.A. 10 North Columbia Street Post Office Box 1029 Lake City, Florida 32056-1029 Donald K. Rudser, Esquire Post Office Box 1011 Jasper, Florida 32052 Robert J. Sniffen, Esquire Moyle, Flanigan, Katz, Kolins, Raymond & Sheehan, P.A. The Perkins House 118 North Gadsden Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Patricia Parks, Superintendent Hamilton County School Board Post Office Box 1059 Jasper, Florida 32052-1059 Honorable Tom Gallagher Commissioner of Education Department of Education The Capitol, Plaza Level 01 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Michael H. Olenick, General Counsel Department of Education The Capitol, Suite 1701 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Findings Of Fact Respondent currently holds Florida Teaching Certificate No. 162096, Post Graduate Rank II, which is valid through June 30, 1991, covering the areas of elementary education, junior college, reading and guidance. At all times material hereto, Respondent was employed as an elementary school teacher in the public schools of Duval County, Florida, at Garden City Elementary School. On June 6, 1978, Respondent was involved in an incident at the K-Mart department store located at 9459 Lem Turner Road, Jacksonville, Florida, which resulted in the filing of the Petition herein. On that date, Respondent was observed by the store's Security Manager while she was shopping in the ladies' wear department. The Security Manager was stationed behind one of sixteen observation windows situated in the ceiling of the store. From this vantage point, the Security Manager observed Respondent while she removed an orange bathing suit from a display rack and proceeded with the bathing suit to the infants wear department. Respondent then took the bathing suit off its hanger and placed the suit on top of her purse. Shortly thereafter, the Security Manager saw Respondent fold the swim suit and conceal it in her purse. Respondent then proceeded to the front of the store where she attempted to exit through the front entrance. At no time did Respondent approach the check-out counter prior to attempting to exit the store premises. The store Security Manager prevented Respondent from exiting the store by calling another store employee located at the front door of the store on the house telephone. The Security Manager advised this employee that Respondent was heading toward the front door, and requested that Respondent be detained. When the employee stopped Respondent, the Security Manager, with the assistance of other store employees, escorted Respondent to the Security Manager's office for further questioning. Once in the Security Manager's office, Respondent was read the following information contained on a card in the Security Manager's possession: You have the right to remain silent and not to answer any questions. Any statement you make must be freely and voluntarily given. You have the right to the presence of a lawyer of your choice before you make any statement and during any questioning. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you are entitled to the presence of a court- appointed lawyer before you make any statement and during any questioning. If any time during the interview you do not wish to answer any questions, you are privileged to remain silent. I can make no threat or promises to induce you to make a statement. This must be of your own free will. Any statement can be and will be used against you in a court of law. After reading this information to Respondent, the Security Manager requested that Respondent give him the bathing suit, but Respondent refused to remove it from her purse. Thereupon, the Security Manager opened Respondent's purse and removed an orange bathing suit which still had tags attached to it. During the course of questioning by the Security Manager, Respondent refused to divulge her name, employment or other identification. Additionally, on several occasions Respondent requested that she be allowed to pay for the merchandise, and indicated that she was a professional woman and could not afford to get into any trouble. The incident was reported to law enforcement officials, and an officer, responding to the call, placed Respondent under arrest and left the store premises with Respondent in custody. Respondent has an excellent reputation for truth and honesty in the school in which she is employed and in the surrounding community. According to evidence in the record in this proceeding, Respondent had never done anything prior to this incident to bring herself or the education profession into public disgrace or disrespect, and had never failed to set a proper example for students. There is no evidence in the record from which it can be concluded that Respondent's effectiveness as an employee of the School Board has been reduced as a result of this incident. In fact, there is no evidence that any students at the school or any parents of students were aware that the incident had ever occurred. Respondent is a Lead Teacher in the Title I reading program and has demonstrated her effectiveness and creativity in that position, and enjoys an excellent rapport with her pupils. There is no evidence in this record that Respondent ever pleaded guilty or was convicted of any misdemeanor, felony or other criminal charge. In fact, the only evidence in this regard is an order entered by Judge Louise Walker of the Duval County Court, pursuant to Section 901.33, Florida Statutes, expunging all records concerning the arrest, investigation and prosecution arising from the incident hereinabove described. Both Petitioner and Respondent have submitted proposed findings of fact in this proceeding. To the extent that such findings of fact are not adopted in this Recommended Order, they have been specifically rejected as being either irrelevant to the issues in this cause, or as not having been supported by the evidence.
Findings Of Fact Upon consideration of the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the hearing, the following relevant facts are found: Petitioner Lawrence A. Longenecker formerly held a Florida teaching certificate, and was employed as a science teacher at Madeira Beach Middle School in Pinellas County until January of 1978. In January of 1978, administrative charges were brought against the petitioner by the Professional Practices Council (the predecessor to the Education Practices Commission) for the revocation of his teaching certificate. After a hearing before a Hearing Officer with the Division of Administrative Hearings, it was found that petitioner had made sexual advances toward three female students on four separate occasions during 1977 and that petitioner was thus guilty of personal conduct which seriously reduced his effectiveness as a school board employee. The Hearing Officer recommended, by order dated November 25, 1980, that petitioner's teaching certificate be permanently revoked. Professional Practices Council v. Lawrence Longenecker, DOAH Case No. 80-1276 (November 25, 1980). By Final Order filed on February 2, 1981, the Education Practices Commission adopted the Hearing Officer's Recommended Order and permanently revoked petitioner's teaching certificate. Professional Practices Council v. Lawrence A. Longenecker, Case NO. 80-005-RT (February 2, 1981). No appeal was taken from this Final Order. In approximately March of 1983, petitioner filed an application for a Florida Teaching Certificate, which application was denied by the Department of Education. Its "Notice of Reasons" for denial, filed on June 30, 1983, recited the events which formed the bases for the prior permanent revocation of petitioner's teaching certificate, and concluded that petitioner had failed to demonstrate that he is of good moral character, as required by Section 231.17(1)(e), Florida Statutes, and that petitioner had committed acts for which the Education Practices Commission would be authorized to revoke a teacher's certificate. Petitioner was 28 and 29 years of age during the time of the acts which formed the basis for the prior certificate revocation. He is now 34 years old. Since 1978, he has obtained a Master's degree in personnel administration from the University of South Florida and has been employed in the area of retail management. He fees that he is now more mature and more wise and would like to return to his chosen profession of teaching school. During the pendency of the instant proceeding, petitioner visited Dr. Alfred Fireman for psychiatric counseling and evaluation on three occasions. It was Dr. Fireman's opinion that petitioner is psychologically fit to reenter the teaching profession provided that his behavior is monitored. He concluded that petitioner "was a suitable candidate for a probationary restoration of privileges." The Education Practices Commission has never reinstated a former certificate or issued a new teaching certificate to an individual whose certificate had been previously permanently revoked.
Recommendation Based upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law recited herein, it is RECOMMENDED that the Education Practices Commission enter a Final Order denying petitioner's application for a Florida teaching certificate. DONE AND ENTERED this 9th day of March, 1984. DIANE D. TREMOR Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 9th day of March 1984. COPIES FURNISHED: Lawrence D. Black, Esquire 152 Eighth Avenue SW Largo, Florida 33540 J. David Holder, Esquire Berg & Holder 128 Salem Court Post Office Box 1694 Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Donald L. Greisheimer Executive Director Education Practices Commission Room 125, Knott Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301
The Issue Whether or not Ossie L. Gardner, the Respondent, on or about August 2, 1977, in Duval County, Florida, did expose his sexual organs by masturbation inside a pornographic booth in the presence of a plain clothes city vice detective at a Jacksonville movie theater, and further, whether or not Ossie L. Gardner plead guilty to the lesser charge of "indecent exposure" and was fined 550.00 plus court costs, all in violation of Sections 231.09 and 231.28, Florida Statutes, and Sections 6A-4.37, 60-1 and 60-5, Florida Administrative Code, in that it is conduct which is inconsistent with good morals and the public conscience, not a proper example to students, and conduct which is sufficiently notorious to bring Ossie L. Gardner and the education profession into public disgrace and disrespect. Whether or not Ossie L. Gardner, the Respondent, on or about June 29, 1967, in Leon County, Florida, did solicit for a lewd and lascivious act by an offer to commit and engage in lewdness, to wit, fellatio with an employee of the Tallahassee Police Department, in violation of Sections 231.09 and 231.28, Florida Statutes, and Sections 6A-4.37, 6B-1 and 6B-5, Florida Administrative Code, in that it is conduct which is inconsistent with good morals and the public conscience, not a proper example for students, and conduct which is sufficiently notorious to bring Ossie L. Gardner and the education profession into public disgrace and disrespect.
Findings Of Fact This cause comes on for consideration based upon the Petition for Revocation of Teacher's Certificate filed by the Petitioner, Professional Practices Council, against Ossie L. Gardner, the Respondent. At the commencement of the hearing, the parties entered into several stipulations. The first of those stipulations was that the statements in the Petition for Revocation of Teacher's, Certificate found under the title "Jurisdictional Matters" are agreed to and established as facts in this cause; therefore, with the recitation of those facts in the following quotation, those facts under the title "Jurisdictional Matters" are hereby established. "JURISDICTIONAL MATTERS" "OSSIE L. GARDNER is the holder of Post-Graduate, Rank II Florida teaching certificate number 181441, covering Math, Emotionally Disturbed and Junior College, which is valid until June 30, 1993." "OSSIE L. GARDNER has been employed as a math/science teacher at the Juvenile Shelter in Jacksonville, Florida. He holds a tenure contract in Duval County where he continues to teach at this time. The Professional Practices Council received a report from Buford H. Galloway, Director of Evaluation and Development, indicating that OSSIE L. GARDNER was charged with Exposure of Sexual Organs by Masturbation on August 2, 1977. Pursuant to this report and under the authority contained in Section 231.28, Florida Statutes, staff of the Department of Education conducted a professional inquiry into the matter and on February 13, 1978 made its report to the Executive Committee of the Professional Practices Council. The Executive Committee recommended that the Commissioner of Education find that probable cause exists to believe that OSSIE L. GARDNER is guilty of acts which provide grounds for the revocation of his Florida teaching certificate. The Commissioner of Education found probable cause on February 13, 1978, and directed the filing of this petition. The Petitioner has authority under Section 6A-4.37, Rules of the State Board of Education to file this Petition. The State Board of Education has authority under action 231.28, Florida Statutes to revoke the teaching certificate of OSSIE L. GARDNER." At the commencement of the hearing, the parties further agreed to stipulate to the introduction of certain items of evidence without the necessity for authentication of those documents. Finally, the parties agreed to stipulate to the introduction of the deposition of Otha Lee Wooden, as a late-filed exhibit, to be used by the undersigned in the same way as the testimony offered in the course of the hearing. The facts in the case revealed that on August 2, 1977, between 3:30 and 4:00 P.M., Officer J. W. Lockley of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Duval County, Florida, was making a routine check of the J & K Adult Theater in the 400 block of Main Street, Jacksonville, Florida. This theater contains material of sexual content. Among other features of the theater are certain booths located behind a curtained area, which is separated from the other part of the establishment. Those booths have coin-operated projectors which allow for the display of preselected film clips which have been obtained from the proprietor. The booths are approximately four feet by seven or eight feet in dimension and the patron may stand up or in some cases may sit down in the booths. The booths have a further feature which is a door which has instructions that it must be closed during the course of the film being shown. On the date in question, Officer Lockley went into the area of the theater which contains the booths and observed the Respondent, Ossie L. Gardner, in Booth No. 8. At that time, the door to the booth was open and Gardner was observed with his sexual organs exposed, and was observed stroking his exposed penis with his hand in an upward and downward motion. A film was playing in the booth, being projected on a small screen. The film depicted sexual activity between male participants, specifically fellatio. Officer Lockley passed up the aisle from where he had observed this activity on the part of the Respondent and then returned to the area of the booth in which Mr. Gardner was located. At that point, Gardner continued to stroke his penis and to look and obtain eye contact with Lockley and then to look down at his penis. Lockley subsequently arrested Gardner for exposure of sexual organs, in violation of Section 80003, Florida Statutes. Gardner later plead guilty to a municipal ordinance violation of indecent exposure, City of Jacksonville Ordinance No. 330.124. For this violation, Gardner was given a judgment and sentence of a $50.00 fine plus $2.00 court costs. In the course of the arrest, the Respondent indicated to Officer Lockley that he had bean arrested for similar conduct before in a matter in Tallahassee, Florida. This incident pertained to a situation which occurred in the Greyhound Bus Station in Tallahassee, Florida, on June 29, 1967. At that time, C. A. McMahan, an employee of the State Prison Camp, Division of Corrections, Tallahassee, Florida, was working as an agent with the Tallahassee Police Department to assist in the investigation of vice activities. In particular, McMahan was assisting in the investigation of alleged homosexual activities in the men's restroom of the Greyhound Bus Station. On the date in question at around 10:00 P.M., McMahan went into the men's restroom and entered one of the closed-in stalls in which a commode was located; Gardner went to one of the urinals in the bathroom facility. Before entering the stall, McMahan observed Gardner masturbating at the urinal. McMahan then closed the door to the stall and was seated in the area of the commode when Gardner moved into the area next to McMahan's stall and continued to masturbate as observed through a hole in the wall between the stall in which McMahan was located and the area where Gardner was positioned. After a period of three or four minutes, Gardner stuck his penis through a hole in the partition wall into the area where McMahan was located. At that point, McMahan left to tell Captain Burl S. Peacock of the Tallahassee Police Department, Tallahassee, Florida, of his observation. Both of these individuals went back into the restroom, at which point Gardner was arrested. Gardner, after being advised of his constitutional right to remain silent, admitted that he had gone to the restroom with the thought that he could get some "sexual relief", and further admitted putting his penis through the hole in the partition for the purpose of getting that "sexual relief." Gardner also admitted to Peacock that he had been involved in homosexual activities as early as the age of 18 and had performed sodomy on one occasion and had been a passive partner in homosexual activities at other times. Subsequent to the June 29, 1967, arrest, Gardner received psychiatric attention for his problem. For the incidents related in the matters of August 2, 1977, and June 29, 1967, the Respondent has been charged with violations of Sections 231.09 and 231.28, Florida Statutes, and Sections 6A-4.37, 60-1 and 6B-5, Florida Administrative Code; in that his conduct is alleged to be inconsistent with good morals and the public conscience; not a proper example for students and conduct which is sufficiently notorious to bring Ossie L. Gardner and the education profession into public disgrace and disrespect. A review of those stated sections of the Florida Statutes and the The Florida Administrative Code reveals that any substantive allegations cognizable through this complaint are found in provision of Section 231.09(2), Florida Statutes, and Section 231.28(1), Florida Statutes, only. Therefore, no further reference will be made to Section 6A- 4.37, 60-1 and 60-5, Florida Administrative Code. Section 231.09(2), Florida Statutes, reads as follows: "(2) EXAMPLE FOR PUPILS.--Labor faithfully and earnestly for the advancement of the pupils in their studies, deportment and morals, and embrace every opportunity to inculcate, by precept and example, the principles of truth, honesty and pat- riotism and the practice of every Christian virtue." The conduct which has been established in the facts pertaining to the incidents of August 2, 1977, and June 29, 1967, involving the exposure of the Respondent's sexual organs and the surrounding activities in those incidents, is conduct which shows that the Respondent is not laboring faithfully and earnestly for the advancement of the pupils in their deportment and morals' in violation of Section 231.09(2), Florida Statutes. No other violation of that provision has been established. Section 231.28(1), Florida Statutes, together with the preamble to the overall Section 231.28, Florida Statutes, reads as follows: "231.28 Suspension or revocation of certificates. The Department of Education shall have authority to suspend the teaching certificate of any person for a period of time not to exceed 3 years, thereby denying him the right to teach for that period of time, after which the holder may return to teaching as provided in subsection (6); to revoke the teach- ing certificate of any person, thereby denying him the right to teach for a period of time not to exceed 10 years, with reinstatement subject to provisions of subsection (6); or to revoke permanently the teaching certificate of any person, provided: (1) It can be shown that such person obtained the teaching certificate by fraudulent means, or has proved to be incompetent to teach or to perform his duties as an employee of the public school system, or to teach in or to operate a private school, or has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude, or has had his certificate revoked in another state, or has been convicted of a mis- demeanor, felony, or any other criminal charge, other than a minor traffic violation, or upon investigation has been found guilty of personal conduct which seri- ously reduces his effectiveness as an employee of the school board, or has otherwise violated the provisions of law, the penalty for which is the revocation of the teaching certificate, or has refused to comply with the regulations of the State Board of Education or the school board in the district in which he is employed." Again, the acts of August 2, 1977, and June 29, 1967, involving the exposure by the Respondent of his sexual organs and the facts therein, show that the Respondent has been guilty of gross immorality or an act involving moral turpitude. The only other possible violation under Section 231.28(1), Florida Statutes, which might be argued is the allegation of possible conduct which seriously reduces the Respondent's effectiveness as an employee of the school board. The sole testimony offered in the course of the hearing which would address that substantive accusation would be that testimony found in the deposition of Otha Lee Wooden. A review of that testimony indicates that the opinion of the principal of the school in which the Respondent teaches, to wit, the school No. 182, Juvenile Shelter School, is to the effect that the facts in these cases are not known to other persons in the school. Consequently, there is no testimony to indicate that there would be any loss of effectiveness if Mr. Gardner continued to teach. No other violations were alleged or proven.
Recommendation In the course of the hearing, matters in mitigation and aggravation were considered. In that presentation, it was demonstrated that the Respondent is a teacher with an outstanding background, as revealed by his personnel file, which is the Respondent's Exhibit No. 8 admitted into evidence. It was also established that the Respondent is a man of distinguished service to his country through service in the United States Army, as established in the Respondent's Exhibits Nos. 1 through 7. Further, it was established that absent these incidents alluded to in the course of this Recommended Order, the Respondent has not been the subject of disciplinary action by the Petitioner on any other occasion. Nonetheless, in consideration of the nature of his profession, it is recommended that the Respondent, Ossie L. Gardner, have his Post-Graduate Rank II Florida Teaching Certificate No. 181441 REVOKED for a period of three (3) years. DONE and ENTERED this 15th day of September, 1978, in Tallahassee, Florida. CHARLES C. ADAMS Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Mail: 530 Carlton Building 101 Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 COPIES FURNISHED: L. Haldane Taylor, Esquire 2516 Gulf Life Tower Jacksonville, Florida Charles E. Grabill, Jr., Esquire 168 Blanding Boulevard, Suite 2 Orange Park, Florida 32073 Mr. M. Juhan Mixon Professional Practices Council 319 West Madison Street, Room 3 Tallahassee, Florida 32304
The Issue At issue in this proceeding is whether respondent was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine and, if so, what disciplinary action, if any, should be taken against his Florida teaching certificate.
Findings Of Fact Respondent, Frederick Dingle Charles, holds teacher's certificate number 264894, issued by the Florida Department of Education, covering the area of substitute teaching. Such certificate is valid through June 30, 1992. During the 1989-90 school year, respondent was employed by the Dade County School Board as a teacher at Homestead Middle School. On or about September 20, 1989, respondent was arrested and charged with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine in the United States District Court, Southern District of Florida, Case Number 89-627-CR-Aronovitz. On October 15, 1990, he was found guilty of such charge and committed to the custody of the United States Bureau of Prisons to be imprisoned for a term of 121 months.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that the teaching certificate of respondent, Frederick Dingle Charles, be permanently revoked. DONE AND ENTERED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 13th day of June 1991. WILLIAM J. KENDRICK Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 13th day of June 1991. Copies furnished: Robert J. Boyd, Esquire 352 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Frederick D. Charles # 41454-004 Metropolitan Correctional Center 15801 S.W. 137th Avenue Miami, Florida 33177 The Honorable Betty Castor Commissioner of Education The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Sydney H. McKenzie General Counsel Department of Education The Capitol, PL-08 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
The Issue Whether the Respondent's teaching certificate should be disciplined for alleged acts of misconduct as set forth in the Administrative Complaint, dated November 7, 1995, in violation of Section 231.28, Florida Statutes, and the Florida Code of Ethics of the Education Profession, Rule 6B 1.006, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact Respondent holds Florida Educators Certificate 614756, covering the areas of Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, Specific Learning Disabilities, and Emotionally Handicapped. The certificate is valid through June 30, 2000. At all times relevant, the Respondent was employed as a Specific Learning Disabilities resource teacher at Merritt Island High School in the Brevard County School District. Beginning in 1992 and continuing through March, 1994, Respondent engaged in a series of sexual relationships with C.M., R.B., D.L., and J.C., four minor male students at Merritt Island High School. The sexual activity involved masturbation and oral sex which took place during and after school, at various locations on the school campus, including Respondent's classroom at Merritt Island High School. Sexual activity also took place in Respondent's vehicle while at the beach. In exchange for the sexual favors, Respondent gave the students money, clothing, food, and other items. When Respondent's relationships with these students became public knowledge, she requested a personal leave of absence from school beginning April 4, 1994 through June 6, 1994. During the 1994 1995 school year, Respondent was placed in a nonstudent contact position. On or about August 24, 1994, Respondent was arrested and charged on 40 counts of Sexual Battery on a Minor by a Person in Custodial Authority. Eventually, additional charges were added for a total of 101 counts in four separate cases. Respondent pled Not Guilty to all counts in the Circuit Court for Brevard County, Florida. Thereafter, all four cases were tried together before a jury. On or about August 26, 1995, following the jury trial in the circuit court, Respondent was found guilty on 64 of the 101 Counts in the four cases, as follows: In Case Number 94A: 23 of 37 counts of Sexual Activity with a Minor by a Person in Custodial Authority: In Case Number 94 A: 34 of 47 counts of Sexual Activity with a Minor by a Person in Custodial Authority; In Case Number 94A: 2 of 2 counts of Sexual Activity with a Minor by a Person in Custodial Authority: and In Case Number 65A: 4 of 10 counts of Sexual Activity with a Minor by a Person in Custodial Authority and 1 of 1 counts of Lewd and Lascivious Act upon a Minor. Following the convictions on the 64 counts by the jury, the Court revoked Respondent's bail and she was remanded to the custody of the Brevard County Sheriff pending sentencing. Following her conviction, Respondent was placed in a no pay status, as absent without leave, with the school district for the 1995-1996 school year. Respondent was subsequently terminated from her employment with the school district. On or about October 5, 1995, the Circuit Court adjudicated the Respondent guilty of the 64 felony counts and sentenced her to serve 10 years in custody, followed by 15 years of supervised probation. Following the first twelve months after her release from prison, Respondent is to pay the cost of her supervision. Special conditions of Respondent's probation include the following: Undergo psychiatric treatment/mental heath counseling for sex offenders and such other psychiatric treatment/mental health counseling as directed. Have no contact with the victims or their families. Have no contact with any male child under the age of 18 years without the child's parent or guardian being present; and Not engage in any employment or volunteer activities, paid or unpaid, which place her in a position of supervision or authority over children under the age of 18 years. Respondent is presently serving her sentence in the custody of the Florida Department of Corrections. Respondent is guilty of gross immorality and conduct involving moral turpitude. Respondent's misconduct seriously reduces her effectiveness as a teacher.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be issued finding that Respondent did violate the provisions of Sections 231.28(1)(c), (e), (f), and (i), Florida Statutes, and Rules 6B1.006(3)(a), (e), (g), (h), and (4)(c) Florida Administrative Code. It is further RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be issued permanently revoking Respondent's teaching certificate for the above violations. DONE AND ENTERED this 18th day of March, 1997, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. _ DANIEL M. KILBRIDE Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (904) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (904) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 18th day of March, 1997. COPIES FURNISHED: Carl J. Zahner,II, Esquire Office of the General Counsel Department of Education The Capitol, Suite 1701 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1700 Lorene C. Powell, Esquire 118 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1700 Karen B. Wilde, Executive Director Education Practices Commission The Florida Education Center, Room 224B 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Michael H. Olenick, General Counsel Department of Education The Capitol, Plaza Level 08 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Kathleen M. Richards, Administrator Professional Practices Services 352 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
The Issue Whether the Respondent's teaching certificate should be disciplined in accordance with Sections 231.262(6) and 231.28(1), Florida Statutes, for alleged acts of misconduct as set forth in the Amended Administrative Complaint, dated May 19, 1993, in violation of Sections 231.28(1), Florida Statutes, and the Florida Code of Ethics of the Education Profession, Rule 6B-1.006, Florida Administrative Code.
Findings Of Fact The Respondent holds Florida Teaching Certificate No. 454394, covering the areas of Elementary Education, Junior High School Science, and Administration and Supervision, which is valid through June 30, 1994. At all times pertinent to the allegations in this case, Respondent was employed as a teacher at Lake Mary Elementary School in the Seminole County School District. On or about March 14, 1988, Respondent was arrested in Volusia County, Florida, and charged with Sexual Activity with a Child by a Person in Familial or Custodial Authority and Committing a Lewd and Lascivious Act in the Presence of a Child. A Felony Arrest Warrant for Respondent was issued by the Circuit Court of Volusia County, dated March 11, 1988. An Information was thereupon filed against Respondent in the case of State of Florida v. Larry O. Williams, Case No. 88-17776, and it charged Respondent with two (2) offenses: Count I: Sexual Activity with a Child by a Person in Familial or Custodial Authority, and Count II: Committing a Lewd and Lascivious Act in the Presence of a Child. The state issued a Nolle Prosequi to the charge of Sexual Activity with a Child. Respondent entered a plea of Nolo Contendere to the lesser included charge in Count II of Attempted Lewd or Lascivious Act in the Presence of a Child, a third degree felony. On or about April 16, 1990, Respondent was adjudicated guilty of Attempted Lewd or Lascivious Act in the Presence of a Child by the circuit court. He was sentenced to serve three (3) years probation, pay $41.00 per month for the cost of supervision, pay $225.00 in court costs and fines, and successfully complete sexual offender counseling. He was also ordered to have no further contact with the victim or any other individuals involved in the case. Detective Diana Floyd, with the Edgewater Police Department, was one of the detectives who assisted in the investigation of Respondent. The victim of the criminal activity by Respondent was Kristina Adkins. Detective Diana Floyd interviewed Kristina Adkins as part of her investigation on March 9, 1988. or about March 15, 1988, the Respondent was suspended with pay by the Seminole County Superintendent of Schools, Robert W. Hughes. On or about March 24, 1988, the Respondent was suspended without pay by the School Board of Seminole County. Respondent was on an annual contract, and his contract called for a renewal each year. The School Board, on or about March 24, 1988, decided not to renew his contract for the following school year. During the 1987-1988 school year, Naomi Whitker was a fifth grade student at Lake Mary Elementary School, and was frequently in Respondent's classroom because her best friend, Cristie Braddy, was a student in Respondent's class. At that time, Naomi Whitker was ten years of age. Naomi Whitker and Cristie Braddy would regularly assist in Respondent's classroom, generally after school. On a regular basis, Respondent would touch Naomi Whitker's buttocks and hug her while she was in his classroom. This occurred during the 1987-1988 school year at Lake Mary Elementary School. The student would put her arms around Respondent's waist, and he would put his hands around her back and then move them slowly down until he touched her buttocks. Naomi Whitker did not think that it was right for a teacher to touch her in that way, and she felt uncomfortable and confused. A similar incident occurred when Respondent hugged Naomi and grabbed her buttocks as he was dropping the two girls off after taking them to dance class. On one occasion in late February or early March, 1988, Naomi was hanging up something on Respondent's classroom wall, and was standing on a chair. Respondent came over, reached under her clothing, and put his hands on her stomach while he was holding her. As a result of this touching of Naomi's stomach, she turned and ran out of the class. She felt afraid, angry, and embarrassed. She did not tell him to stop, but was so afraid that she ran out of the room. On another occasion, Respondent invited Naomi Whitker, Cristie Braddy, and another girl out during the 1987-1988 school year to Monday night skate night, and to Show Biz Pizza thereafter. Respondent paid for the entire evening. As they were driving Respondent asked Cristie if she had any underwear on. Respondent also told Cristie that he was not wearing any underwear either. Cristie Braddy, a student in Respondent's fifth grade class at Lake Mary Elementary School in the 1987-1988 school year, and best friend of Naomi Whitker at that time, was touched by Respondent. He would rub Cristie's back and stomach and then go down to her buttocks. He would also rub her shoulders. Respondent also touched Cristie Braddy outside of the classroom, specifically at Show Biz Pizza, where he touched her back and shoulders. Also on a school sponsored camping trip he rubbed Cristie Braddy and touched her on the outside of her clothes, when he touched her back and shoulders, but on the inside when he touched her stomach. The touching of Cristie Braddy by Respondent occurred during the entire 1987-1988 school year, and was not an isolated incident. It occurred on a daily basis. On separate occasions, Respondent asked Naomi Whitker and Cristie Braddy to come over to his apartment, and help clean it. However, they declined. On another occasion, Respondent gave Naomi Whitker and Cristie Braddy a silver ring which said "love" on it. In handing the ring to Naomi and Cristie, Respondent said that he wanted them to have it because "I love you". Also during the 1987-1988 school year at Lake Mary Elementary School, Respondent invited Naomi Whitker and Cristie Braddy to the beach or to the mall with him, but they did not go with him. Respondent made inappropriate comments to students in his classroom. For example, he would talk about how he and his wife got divorced because she would not have sex with him. He would also look at Naomi, and say that she needed to shave her legs, or that she was in a bad mood because she was beginning her period. He would also ask about whether the girls were kissing boys. On another occasion in Respondent's fifth grade classroom at Lake Mary Elementary School, Cristie Braddy was sitting in the teacher's chair. Respondent came up from behind her and sat on the chair directly behind her with his legs spread around her. Cristie Braddy quickly jumped out of the chair and went to a different part of the room. Monica Graham, a student in Respondent's fifth grade elementary class at Lake Mary Elementary School in the 1987-1988 school year, was also touched by Respondent. Respondent touched Monica Graham inappropriately on the shoulders and buttocks on the outside of her clothing, and on one occasion, he pinched her buttocks. Monica Graham, as a result of the touching by Respondent, felt weird and embarrassed because he did it to her in front of the other students. She was also angry and hurt by Respondent touching her. On the same camping trip that Christie Braddy and Monica Graham attended, Respondent, who was a chaperon, told the girls on the camping trip that if they got scared at night, they could come sleep in his tent. Respondent invited Monica Graham to go swimming at his house, and one night asked if she wanted to come over and eat dinner with him. Monica Graham did not go because she told her parents, and they said it was inappropriate. Respondent gave Monica Graham his home phone number. He told Monica it was for help in homework, but when she called, he did not talk about homework. Tiffany Gormly, a fifth grade student in Respondent's fifth grade elementary school class at Lake Mary Elementary School during the 1987-1988 school year, was touched by Respondent. Respondent rubbed her shoulders, and tried to hold her hand. When Respondent tried to hold Tiffany Gormly's hand, she kicked him. As a result of Respondent's touching Tiffany Gormly, she felt uncomfortable and embarrassed. There were other students in front of her when Respondent rubbed her shoulders. She was angry, and told Respondent to stop. Respondent also invited Tiffany Gormly to come to his apartment and go swimming. It bothered her, and she did not go. On occasion, Respondent would look under the long table where students sat, as they watched movies in his classroom, and would try to look up the dresses of the girls.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be issued finding that Larry O. Williams is not guilty of violating the provisions of Sections 231.28(1)(c), Florida Statutes; but is guilty of violating Section 231.28(1)(e), Florida Statutes, for having been convicted of a felony; and is guilty of violating Sections 231.28(1)(f) and (h), Florida Statutes, and Rule 6B-1.006(3)(a), (e) and (h), Florida Administrative Code, due to his inappropriate touching and conduct with four of his students. It is further RECOMMENDED that a Final Order be issued revoking Respondent's teaching certificate for the above violations. DONE AND ENTERED this 24th day of November, 1993, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. DANIEL M. KILBRIDE Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904)488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 24th day of November, 1993. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 93-2215 The following constitutes my specific rulings, in accordance with section 120.59, Florida Statutes, on findings of fact submitted by the parties. Petitioner's proposed findings of fact. Accepted in substance: paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (in part), 8 (in part), 9, 42, 44, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 64, 65, 66, 68, 69, 72, 74, 75, 76, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 96, 98, 99, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 111, 114, 116, 117. Rejected as hearsay: paragraphs 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 43. Rejected as irrelevant or subsumed: paragraphs 7(in part), 8 (in part), 20, 38, 39, 40, 41, 45, 55, 63, 67, 70, 71, 77, 78, 79, 90, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 94, 95, 97, 100, 101, 106, 108, 109, 110, 112, 113, 115. Respondent did not submit proposed findings of fact. COPIES FURNISHED: Robert J. Boyd, Esquire BOND & BOYD, P.A. 411 East College Avenue Post Office Box 26 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 Larry O. Williams 403 North Monroe Street Versailles, Missouri 65084 Sydney H. McKenzie General Counsel The Capitol, PL-08 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Karen Barr Wilde Executive Director 301 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Jerry Moore, Administrator Professional Practices Services 352 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
The Issue Whether Respondent committed the violations alleged in the Administrative Complaint. If so, what disciplinary action should be taken against her.
Findings Of Fact Based upon the evidence adduced at hearing and the record as a whole, the following Findings of Fact are made: Respondent held Florida teacher's certificate number 681506, covering the areas of Pre-K through Grade 3, which was valid until June 30, 1995. On or about November 4, 1986, Respondent was charged with battery by information filed in Dade County Court Case No. 86-79409. On December 29, 1986, following a non-jury trial, Respondent was found guilty as charged. Adjudication of guilt was withheld and Respondent was ordered to pay $77.00 in court costs. In 1990, Respondent submitted an Application for Florida Educator's Certificate to the Bureau of Teacher Certification of the Department of Education (Bureau). On the application, she checked "no" in response to the following question: Have you ever been convicted of a crime, found guilty, or entered a plea of nolo contendre (no contest) even if adjudication was withheld? Your answer to this question will be checked against local, state and federal records. Failure to answer this question accurately could cause denial of certification. Please Check One: Yes No If yes, you must give complete details for each charge. As Respondent was aware, her negative response to this question was untrue inasmuch as, in 1986, she had been found guilty of the crime of battery in Dade County Court Case No. 86-79409. In 1992, Respondent submitted another Application for Florida Educator's Certificate to the Bureau. On the application, knowing that her response was false, she answered "no" in response to the following question: Yes No Have you ever been convicted, found guilty, or entered a plea of nolo contendre (no contest) to a crime other than a traffic violation? A YES or NO answer is required by Florida Law. If you check the YES box, you must give the information requested for each charge In 1993, Respondent submitted a third Application for Florida Educator's Certificate to the Bureau. On the application, she knowingly gave false information by checking "no" in response to the following question: Yes No Have you ever been convicted, found guilty, entered a plea of nolo contendre (no contest), or had adjudication withheld in a criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation (DUI is NOT a minor traffic violation); or are there any criminal charges now pending against you? SEALED or EXPUNGED records must be reported pursuant to s.943.058, F.S. Failure to answer this question accurately could cause denial of certification. A YES or NO answer is required by Florida Law. If you check the YES box, you must give the information requested for each charge. On February 7, 1994, while working as a teacher at Golden Glades Elementary School, a public school located in Dade County, Respondent was involved in an altercation with a student, C.K., in the doorway to Respondent's classroom.2
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Commission issue a final order: (1) finding Respondent guilty of the violations of subsection (1) of Section 231.28, Florida Statutes, alleged in the Administrative Complaint, as amended, concerning her falsification of the 1990, 1992, and 1993 certification applications she submitted to the Bureau; (2) barring Respondent from applying for certification for a period of three years for having committed these violations; and (3) dismissing the remaining counts of the Administrative Complaint, as amended. DONE AND ENTERED this 29th day of July, 1997, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STUART M. LERNER Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (904) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (904) 921-6847 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 29th day of July, 1997.
