The Issue The substantive issue in this proceeding is whether the Respondents Florida teaching certificate should be suspended or revoked based upon the allegations of Petitioner's complaint dated June 4, 1987. Respondent has raised various procedural issues in his written documents and in a telephone motion hearing held on November 10, 1987. Those issues include whether he has already surrendered his teaching certificate, whether the investigation was proper and whether the formal hearing was properly scheduled.
Findings Of Fact Based upon a consideration of all evidence properly made part of the record in this proceeding, the following findings are made: David Cunningham is now, and was at all times relevant, certified as an elementary school teacher under State of Florida Certificate No. 468382. The certified copy received in evidence as Petitioner's Exhibit 1 reveals a date of issue of April 14, 1986 and an expiration date of June 30, 1990. No competent evidence was presented to support Respondent's allegation that the certificate was invalid or otherwise lawfully relinquished or revoked. David Cunningham was employed as an elementary teacher at Caley Elementary School in Orlando, Florida during school year 1983-84, until March 1984, when he was placed on leave without pay for the remainder of the school year. Dynell Harrell was a fifth grade student in Cunningham's reading class during the first semester of 1983-84 at Caley. Dynell was twelve years old at the time. During the second semester of 1983-84, Dynell transferred to another school, but began having contacts with Cunningham outside of the school setting. The two went to amusement parks and to restaurants. On only one occasion they were accompanied by Dynell's siblings. Dynell began spending weekends at Cunningham's house. Cunningham gave him presents of clothes, shoes, and money - - $20 or $30 at a time, for an eventual total of at least $500. On the occasion of the second weekend visit, Cunningham got in bed with Dynell. Later, during the night, he began touching and rubbing the youth and took his clothes off. In response to Dynell's question of what was going on, Cunningham responded with a reminder of their friendship and all the things he had done to benefit him. They engaged in oral sex at that time. After that, the sexual contact was routine on the weekend visits, once or twice a month. Cunningham engaged Dynell in oral and anal sex and gave him vodka and cigarettes. Dynell was afraid to tell anyone as he thought he would lose his friend. He also felt he owed Cunningham a favor. During this time, Dynell's mother noticed a withdrawal of her son from his close relationship with her. She was somewhat suspicious of Cunningham's interest but Dynell denied that Cunningham had ever asked him to do anything that he didn't want to do. She believed him because she felt he would be candid with her. At the beginning of the seventh grade, Dynell went to Illinois to live with his grandmother in Illinois. Cunningham called him on the phone, but his grandmother was suspicious and didn't let Dynell talk. On one occasion, Cunningham stopped at the grandmother's house on his way to North Dakota. The grandmother let Cunningham take Dynell out to eat, but only in the company of Dynell's cousin. Dynell also wanted his cousin to come along as he figured nothing could happen if they were not alone. Cunningham told Dynell he wanted to continue seeing him, but Dynell did not want that and responded that he would be in Chicago and would not be able to see Cunningham. Dynell has had no further contact with Cunningham, even after the youth's return to Florida in eighth grade. Dynell has received mental health counseling to help him deal with the relationship with Cunningham. Dynell has been reluctant to associate along with male students and adult males, and refused to participate in his church's Big Brother program unless one of his friends is able to accompany him. John Hawco, administrator of Employee Relations for the Orange County School Board, would not recommend that Cunningham ever be employed in any position in which he would be exposed to children. His effectiveness as a teacher has been seriously impaired by his conduct toward his former student. He exploited his professional relationship with that student in return for personal gain and advantage. By certified letters and through contacts with Cunningham's prior attorney Jerry Whitmore, consultant for the State Department of Education, provided notices to Cunningham regarding the complaint and investigation. Cunningham sent his original teaching certificate to the investigator, stating that he should not be investigated as his certificate was no longer valid. The investigation continued, again with notice to Cunningham. He declined to participate in an informal conference and refused to indicate on the Election of Rights form provided to him which option he chose in response to the complaint: voluntary surrender for permanent revocation, admission of allegations and request for informal hearing, or dispute of allegations and request for a formal hearing by the Division of Administrative Hearings. Instead, he appended a separate statement to the form disputing the allegations and arguing that he was not a valid certificate holder as his certificate was based on a correspondence course.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED that David Martin Cunningham's Florida teaching certificate be permanently revoked. DONE AND ORDERED this 26th day of January, 1988, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. MARY CLARK 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 26th day of January, 1988. COPIES FURNISHED: J. David Holder, Esquire RIGS BY & HOLDER 325 John Knox Road Building C, Suite 135 Tallahassee, Florida 32303 Mr. David Cunningham 8775 20th Street, #921 Vero Beach, Florida 32960 Karen Barr Wilde Executive Director Education Practices Commission Knott Building Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Martin B. Schapp Administrator Professional Practices Services 319 West Madison Street Room 3 Tallahassee, Florida 32399
The Issue Whether there are sufficient grounds for the imposition of disciplinary sanctions against Respondent?s teaching certificate, and if so, the nature of the sanctions.
Findings Of Fact The Florida Education Practices Commission is the state agency charged with the duty and responsibility to revoke or suspend, or take other appropriate action with regard to teaching certificates as provided in sections 1012.795 and 1012.796. § 1012.79(7), Fla. Stat. Petitioner, as Commissioner of Education, is charged with the duty to file and prosecute administrative complaints against individuals who hold Florida teaching certificates and who are alleged to have violated standards of teacher conduct. § 1012.796(6), Fla. Stat. Respondent holds a teaching certificate issued by the Florida Department of Education, No. 608837, covering the areas of pre-kindergarten and primary education. Respondent?s current teaching certificate was issued as a result of the entry of a September 18, 2007, Settlement Agreement that resolved an initial denial of the teaching certificate for a series of pleas or convictions for financial crimes, including Public Assistance Fraud. The Settlement Agreement authorized the issuance of Respondent?s teaching certificate subject to a letter of reprimand and a two-year period of probation. The Settlement Agreement was adopted by the Education Practices Commission by Final Order entered on January 25, 2008. Respondent was employed by the Gadsden County School Board in various positions since 2005, most of them being as a teacher at the elementary school and kindergarten level. Respondent received instructional employee evaluation ratings of “very effective” for the 2006-2007 school year, and of “effective” for the 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010 school years. Respondent was suspended from teaching by the Gadsden County School Board on January 3, 2011 for issues relating to her December 21, 2010, arrest for drug-related offenses. The suspension was upheld at a meeting of the Gadsden County School Board on January 25, 2011. Respondent was rehired as a Gadsden County substitute teacher in February, 2011, and worked in that capacity at two schools until December 2012. The decision to rehire was made to accommodate Respondent with lawful employment so as to meet the terms of her probation. Administrative Complaint On November 30, 2012, Petitioner issued the Administrative Complaint that forms the basis for this proceeding. The Administrative Complaint identified the offenses that underlie the five specified counts. Resisting an Officer - September 29, 2007 On September 29, 2007, Officer Clark was in the process of effectuating an arrest of Respondent?s son at a convenience store located near Respondent?s home. According to Officer Clark, Respondent?s son was resisting efforts to place him in handcuffs. While Officer Clark was attempting to take Respondent?s son into custody, Respondent appeared on the scene and attempted to intervene in the incident. The nature of the intervention is disputed. When a back-up officer arrived, Officer Clark instructed him to take Respondent into custody. The only evidence of the disposition of the charge of resisting an officer was a printout of the case docket from the website of the Leon County, Florida Clerk of Court. The printout is hearsay, and comes within no exception to the hearsay rule set forth in section 90.803, Florida Statutes. Disposition of the charge of resisting an officer was not supported by competent, substantial, and non-hearsay evidence. Thus, no finding can be made to substantiate that charge. Driving Without a Valid License - January 2, 2010 On January 2, 2010, Respondent was driving her vehicle in Tallahassee. She was stopped by Officer Hurlbut for a traffic infraction. Respondent presented Officer Hurlbut with a Florida driver?s license. When Officer Hurlbut ran the driver?s license through his onboard computer, he discovered that the driver?s license produced by Respondent was not current, and that Respondent?s driver?s license had been suspended. Officer Hurlbut issued a citation and notice to appear to Respondent, and seized her expired driver?s license and her automobile tag. On April 14, 2010, Respondent entered a plea of no contest to a charge of operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver?s license, a second-degree misdemeanor, was adjudged guilty, and was placed on probation for a period of six months. Driving Without a Valid License/Violation of Probation - September 26, 2010 On September 26, 2010, Respondent was stopped by Highway Patrol Sergeant Teslo for driving without a seatbelt. Respondent had no identification. Sergeant Teslo asked Respondent to write her name and date of birth on a sheet of paper so that he could run it through his onboard computer. The name and birthdate provided by Respondent were not those of Respondent. When Sergeant Teslo determined that the name and birthdate were not those of Respondent, he returned to her car, whereupon Respondent provided him with her real name and birthdate. When Sergeant Teslo ran Respondent?s name and birthdate, he discovered that Respondent was operating her vehicle while her driver?s license was suspended. He issued a traffic citation, and waited for a licensed driver to come and pick up Respondent. As a matter of discretion, Sergeant Teslo did not charge Respondent with providing false information. On September 30, 2010, an affidavit of probation violation was executed which alleged that Respondent violated her April 14, 2010, sentence of probation by driving with a suspended license. A warrant was issued, and Respondent was taken into custody. Respondent entered a plea of no contest to a reduced charge of operating a motor vehicle without a valid driver?s license. Adjudication was withheld. Drug Offenses - December 9, 2010 On December 9, 2010, after a period of investigation and surveillance of Respondent?s home, the Tallahassee Police Department executed a search warrant for the home. Respondent was not at the home when the search was conducted. Respondent arrived at her home while the search warrant was being executed. There were numerous police cars around the house. Respondent asked a neighbor to watch the house and retrieve the keys when the search was done while she took her pit bulldog, which had been Tasered during the execution of the warrant, to the veterinarian. The neighbor later called Respondent to advise her that drugs were found during the search. Thus, the search and its results were openly known in the area. During the execution of the search warrant, two of Respondent?s sons were taken into custody. The search of the home uncovered a significant quantity of powdered and crack cocaine, cannabis, and various articles of paraphernalia located in rooms throughout the home, including the kitchen and Respondent?s bedroom. On December 21, 2010, Respondent was arrested for a number of drug-related offenses. On February 11, 2011, an Information was filed charging Respondent with trafficking in controlled substances, a felony of the first degree; sale or possession of controlled substances with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a convenience store, a felony of the first degree; sale or possession of controlled substances with intent to sell within 1000 feet of a convenience store, a felony of the second degree; and possession of paraphernalia, a misdemeanor of the first degree. On November 15, 2011, Respondent entered into a deferred prosecution agreement for the charged offenses subject to Respondent?s compliance with various terms of the agreement. Public Assistance Fraud - July 25, 2012 On July 6, 2012, an affidavit was executed by Department of Economic Opportunity Investigator Marshall, in which it was alleged that Respondent made false statements that she was unemployed and not receiving wages or benefits from June 19, 2010 through February 26, 2011, so as to qualify for reemployment assistance benefits for which she was otherwise not eligible. Respondent asserted that she was, in fact, unemployed during the summer of 2010, since her annual contract expired at the conclusion of the 2009-2010 school year, and was not renewed until the commencement of the 2010-2011 school year. She further asserted that she was suspended without pay commencing on January 26, 2011. However, the evidence is undisputed that Respondent was employed and receiving wages for, at a minimum, the start of the 2010-2011 school year1/ until January 26, 2011. On July 25, 2012, an Information was filed charging Respondent with Unemployment Compensation Fraud, a felony of the third degree, for making false statements to obtain or increase benefits under Florida unemployment compensation laws. On November 2, 2012, Respondent entered a plea of nolo contendere to the felony charge of unemployment compensation fraud, was adjudicated guilty, was placed on probation for a period of five years, and was ordered to pay restitution to the Florida Reemployment Compensation Trust Fund in the amount of $7,972.00 and to pay an additional $750 in court costs.
Recommendation Upon consideration of the findings of fact and conclusions of law reached herein, it is RECOMMENDED that Petitioner enter a final order permanently revoking Respondent?s teaching certificate, No. 608837. DONE AND ENTERED this 16th day of December, 2013, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S E. GARY EARLY Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 16th day of December, 2013.
The Issue Whether the Education Practices Commission (EPC) should revoke or suspend the Respondent's Florida teaching certificate, or impose any other penalty provided by law, for the violations alleged in the Administrative Complaint dated April 5, 1994.
Findings Of Fact Respondent holds Florida teaching certificate 326738, covering the areas of History, Political Science, and Economics, which was valid through June 30, 1994. Respondent's teaching certificate has not been renewed for failure to complete three additional course credits. On or about November 1989, Respondent was reported to Professional Practices Services (PPS) for failure to maintain honesty. The basis for the report was that on a teacher in-service day, Respondent did not report to work, but had a co-worker sign in for him. As a result of this report, the Pinellas County School District suspended the Respondent for three (3) days without pay. On or about August 21, 1990, Respondent entered into a Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the Department of Education that extended through the end of the 1990-1991 school year. The Deferred Prosecution Agreement included in its terms the requirements that the Respondent: violate no criminal laws and shall fully comply with all district school board regula- tions, school rules and State Board of Education Rule 6B-1.006, F.A.C.; perform assigned duties and responsibilities in a professional manner and which is satisfactory to the county school board and in compliance with the rules of the Florida Department of Education; and satisfactorily complete a workshop/inservice training course or college level course in developing positive relationships with others. On July 24, 1991, then Commissioner of Education, Betty Castor, revoked the Respondent's Deferred Prosecution Agreement with the Department of Education and filed an Administrative Complaint against the Respondent. On June 30, 1992, the Education Practices Commission (EPC) issued a Final Order regarding the July 24, 1991 Administrative Complaint against the Respondent. On or about August 12, 1992, Karen Wilde, Executive Director of the EPC, notified the Respondent of the terms of the Respondent's probation as provided by the June 30, 1992 EPC Final Order. On May 4, 1992, Betty Castor, Commissioner of Education filed a second Administrative Complaint against the Respondent. The second Administrative Complaint referenced the first pending Administrative Complaint entered against the Respondent and further alleged that the Respondent had engaged in inappropriate and unprofessional conduct. The second Administrative Complaint also alleged that on or about October 25, 1991, the Pinellas County School Board suspended the Respondent with pay and recommended that the Respondent be terminated. On August 18, 1992, the Respondent entered into a Settlement Agreement with the EPC whereby the Respondent elected not to contest the allegations set forth in the May 4, 1992 Administrative Complaint. This agreement required the Respondent among other things to: submit to an evaluation by licensed psychiatrist mutually acceptable to the EPC and the Respondent within sixty (60) days of the date of this agreement. submit to an evaluation by a licensed physician other than [Respondent's] regular physician. This exam must include a medical review to determine the cumulative effects of medication which has been prescribed to [the Respondent], and to determine whether any medications or combinations thereof with each other or with alcohol may contribute to the behaviors which are the basis of the Adminis- trative Complaint. On November 6, 1992, the Education Practices Commission issued a Final Order with regard to the Second Administrative Complaint. The November 6, 1992 Final Order incorporated the terms of the August 18, 1992 Settlement Agreement. On or about December 11, 1992, Karen Wilde, Executive Director of the EPC, notified the Respondent of the terms that the Respondent agreed to in his Settlement Agreement. On or about March 10, 1993, Karen Wilde again notified the Respondent of the requirements of the Respondent's Settlement Agreement and the Respondent's non-compliance with terms of that latest settlement agreement. The Respondent has not complied with the terms of the Final Order of November 6, 1992 which incorporated the Settlement Agreement insofar as the evaluations from a physician and from a psychiatrist have not been submitted. On or about April 1, 1993 Karen Wilde notified the Respondent that the Respondent was being reported to the PPS for non-compliance with the terms of the Final Order of November 6, 1992. On June 30, 1993, the PPS initiated an action against the Respondent for violation of the Respondent's EPC probation. Respondent has taught school for over twenty years. On September 7, 1992, Respondent seriously injured his back in the course of his employment as a result of intervening to prevent a fight between two students. Respondent's injury required him to undergo surgery to repair a herniated disc, and resulted in a 9 percent permanent partial impairment rating to the body as a whole. During this time Respondent was on prescribed pain medication. Respondent filed a worker's compensation claim which was settled by the Pinellas County School Board. The settlement stipulated that Respondent would resign his employment with the Pinellas County School Board, and further provided that the School Board has no objection to deletion of paragraph 8(f) and 8(g) of the settlement agreement. On August 18, 1993, the Respondent resigned his teaching position with the Pinellas County School Board.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing findings of fact and conclusions of law, it is RECOMMENDED that: The Respondent be barred from reapplying for a teaching certificate for a period of one (1) year from the final disposition by the Education Practices Commission; That prior to reapplication the Respondent be required to provide the certificates that were required by Paragraph 5 and 6, and shall comply with Paragraphs 8(f) and 8(g), all of the Final Order entered by the Education Practices Commission on November 6, 1992; That upon reemployment in the teaching profession that he be placed on a term of probation of three years on the terms outlined in Paragraphs 7, 8(a), 8(b), 8(c), 8(d), 8(e), and 9, all of the Final Order entered by the Education Practices Commission on November 6, 1992; and That an administrative fine of $500.00 be paid by the Respondent to the Petitioner within the first twelve months of the probationary period. RECOMMENDED in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, this 16th day of March, 1995. RICHARD HIXSON 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 16th day of March, 1995. APPENDIX The following constitute rulings on the Findings of Fact proposed by the parties. Petitioner's Proposed Findings 1.-10. Adopted. 11. Adopted in part. 12.-18. Adopted. Incorporated in paragraph 18. 20.-22. Adopted. Respondent's Proposed Order Adopted in part. Reject as not supported by the evidence. Rejected as irrelevant. Adopted. COPIES FURNISHED: Nathan L. Bond, Esquire 2121 Killarney Way Suite G Tallahassee, Florida 32308 David L. Smith 2521 Oak Leaf Lane Condo D Clearwater, Florida 34623 Karen Barr Wilde, Executive Director Education Practices Commission 301 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Kathleen M. Richards, Administrator Professional Practices Services 352 Florida Education Center 325 West Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Barbara J. Staros, General Counsel Department of Education The Capitol, PL-08 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
The Issue Whether Petitioner's application for certification should be denied for the reasons set forth in the Notice of Reasons.
Findings Of Fact Based on the evidence adduced at hearing, and the record as a whole, the following findings of fact are made: Petitioner is an applicant for a Florida Educator's Certificate. On April 17, 2004, at the Kendall campus of Miami-Dade Community College (College), Petitioner sat for the general knowledge portion of the certification examination (Test), which included an essay question. In advance of the Test, Petitioner was informed in writing of, among other things, the following: In its continuing effort to assure fairness and equity in examination administration conditions, the Florida Department of Education is putting into written form those activities that have been, and continue to be, regarded as cheating by, or on behalf of, an examinee. The specific items represent cheating activities encountered throughout the history of the Department's assessment programs, but do not preclude the Department from appropriate action in cases of cheating that do not fall under a specific item. These guidelines are applicable to the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations program . . . . Section 1 defines those behaviors that constitute cheating. Section 2 lists materials, equipment and other aids that examinees are prohibited from using during the examination. . . . Section 1: Cheating Cheating is any unauthorized activity that impairs or alters the circumstances of the examination as a measure of the knowledge or skills it was designed to assess, including but not limited to the following: * * * c. Bringing, or attempting to bring, into the examination room, materials, equipment, or information in any tangible form that could be used to provide unauthorized assistance in responding to examination questions or directions. * * * f. During the examination, using or attempting to use, prohibited aids, as identified in Section 2. * * * Section 2: Prohibited Aids The following aids are prohibited during examination administration: . . . papers of any kind, including scratch paper; . . . * * * Annette Lorenzo, a College employee, was the "room supervisor" in the room in which Petitioner took the Test. Ms. Lorenzo was assisted by another College employee, Gladys Manrique, "who was "working as a proctor" in the room. When Petitioner arrived in the room the morning of the Test, she was checked in by Ms. Lorenzo, who assigned her a seat near the front of the room. Upon being told of her seat assignment, Petitioner "pointed to the last seat of the last row" and asked if she could sit there instead. Ms. Lorenzo "said, 'Okay, no problem,' and [Petitioner] went and sat down in that seat." After "checking everybody in," Ms. Lorenzo read "instructions for the exam" to the examinees (including "go[ing] through all the guidelines on what constitute[d] cheating, as well as what [was] and [was] not allowed in the room"), and, with Ms. Manrique's help, handed out the testing materials. Testing then began (at approximately 8:45 a.m.). Ms. Lorenzo and Ms. Manrique "walk[ed] around the room, up and down the aisles," to "mak[e] sure that nobody [was] cheating or using anything [prohibited]" while the test was being administered. As she was doing so, during the essay portion of the Test, Ms. Lorenzo noticed Petitioner periodically "looking into her [cupped] left hand [which was positioned on the desk in front of her, just above her answer booklet, and appeared to contain tissues] while she was writing" in the booklet with her right hand. Ms. Lorenzo observed Petitioner's engaging in this suspicious conduct for "[a]t least ten minutes." During this time, Ms. Lorenzo was "staring at [Petitioner], watching her very closely." When she eventually made eye contact with Ms. Lorenzo, Petitioner moved her hands towards her face and "made a noise like she was blowing her noise." She then closed her left hand into a fist and continued writing with her right hand. Ms. Lorenzo advised Ms. Manrique that she suspected that "something [was] going on" with Petitioner, and she asked Ms. Manrique to "take a look." Ms. Manrique observed Petitioner for approximately five minutes, after which she reported back to Ms. Lorenzo that she "believe[d] there [was] something going on as well." Ms. Lorenzo then "walked to the back of the room and stood to the right of Petitioner." From her vantage point, Ms. Lorenzo noticed "sticking out the bottom of [Petitioner's left] hand," which was "still in a fist," not only tissues, but "paper with some writing on it." Upon making this observation, Ms. Lorenzo asked Petitioner to show her "everything [Petitioner] had in her hand."3 Petitioner's immediate response was to "[u]s[e] her right hand [to] grab[] the tissues out of her left hand," which she then quickly closed into a fist again. She gave the tissues she had transferred from her left to right hand to Ms. Lorenzo, explaining that she had "just tissues" and nothing else. Ms. Lorenzo, however, knew otherwise and demanded that Petitioner open her left hand. Petitioner complied, revealing the paper that Ms. Lorenzo had seen "sticking out" of the hand when it was clenched. The paper was the size of a "small note [pad] sheet." It was crumpled from being held tightly by Petitioner. On the paper was a complete essay that that Petitioner had written before entering the examination room. The essay was entitled, "A Place to Visit: San Antonio Park."4 Ms. Lorenzo took the paper, as well as Petitioner's testing materials, including Petitioner's answer booklet, from Petitioner. In her answer booklet, Petitioner had written an essay about San Antonio Park, substantial portions of which were identical, word for word, to what was on the paper that Ms. Lorenzo had confiscated from Petitioner's left hand. Petitioner had knowingly brought this paper into the examination room with the intent to use it as an aid in answering the essay question on the general knowledge portion of the Test,5 and she carried out this intent once the Test began.6 As Petitioner started to "g[e]t a little bit loud," Ms. Lorenzo escorted her from the room and took her to see Juan Meza, the College's testing director.7 On the way to Mr. Meza's office, Petitioner insisted that she had not cheated and "begg[ed] [Ms. Lorenzo] to let her go finish the exam." Ms. Lorenzo responded that Petitioner's "test [was] over for today." After Ms. Lorenzo had told Mr. Meza that she had "found [Petitioner] cheating," Mr. Meza spoke to Petitioner and told her that she could not "continue taking the test" because she had been caught cheating. Petitioner denied to Mr. Meza that she had been cheating. Mr. Meza, in turn, informed Petitioner that he would send an "irregularity report" to the Department and that the Department would "make [a] decision" as to whether she had been cheating and then "contact her to let her know what [was] going on." As promised, on or about April 19, 2004, Mr. Meza sent an "irregularity report" to the Department (along with the materials that Ms. Lorenzo had taken from Petitioner in the examination room). On April 26, 2004, the Department sent the following letter to Petitioner: This letter is in response to information I have received from staff at Miami Dade College, Kendall campus confirming that you failed to follow testing procedures during the administration of the General Knowledge Test on April 17, 2004. Along with the admission ticket you received for the examination, you received a letter that outlines the State's policy on cheating. Section 1 (c) and (f) and Section 2 state the following: "Section 1: Cheating Cheating is any unauthorized activity that impairs or alters the circumstances of the examination as a measure of the knowledge or skills it was designed to assess, including but not limited to the following: c. Bringing, or attempting to bring, into the examination room, materials, equipment, or information in any tangible form that could be used to provide unauthorized assistance in responding to examination questions or directions. * * * f. During the examination, using or attempting to use, prohibited aids, as identified in Section 2. Section 2: Prohibited Aids The following aids are prohibited during examination administration: Timex Data Link™ wrist watch; electronic pager; cellular telephone; pocket organizer; electronic writing pen or pen-input device; any electronic device with an alphabetic keyboard; dictionary or other books; ruler; papers of any kind, including scratch paper; slide rule; protractor; compass; laptop computer; calculator watch, or calculator except those calculators provided at the test center for the following tests: Mathematics 6-12, the math portion of Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (MGIC), Middle Grades Mathematics 5-9, Chemistry 6-12, Physics 6-12, and the math subtests of the General Knowledge Test." As a result of your failure to abide by this policy, the score on the Essay subtest of the General Knowledge Test under your name and Social Security number . . . for the April 17, 2004, test administration has been invalidated. By copy of this letter, I am also informing Professional Practices Services and the Bureau of Educator Certification of this decision. This decision means that you have yet to fulfill the State's requirements for a passing score on the Essay subtest of the General Knowledge Test. You are entitled to dispute this decision through legal administrative procedures. If you wish to do so, you must send a written request for an administrative hearing in accordance with the provisions of Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes. The written request must be postmarked within twenty (20) calendar days of the date you receive this letter and submitted to the following address: . . . . If you fail to submit the written request within the specified time period, you will have waived the opportunity to contest the decision through administrative proceedings, and the score invalidation decision will be final, subject only to judicial review pursuant to Section 120.68, Florida Statutes. Petitioner responded by sending a letter to the Department, which read (verbatim) as follows: I have received your letter about the problem I had the day of test. I'm so sorry about the day. In 20 years of being a teacher, I never had that kind of problem. That day I had a bad cold and when I finished my test, the only thing that I had to do was to check it, but I was coughing badly and I took a napkin that was inside my bag on the floor, but together with the napkin came out a paper. I took both in my hand. I put my hand up, because I knew that if the teacher saw me in this moment I got in trouble, but it was too late. The teacher came to me, asked for the paper and the napkin and without I could explain anything. She took to the supervisor and explained everything to him. He told he had to follow the rules, then he had to report the incident. So I think I should have an opportunity to do my tests again. The Commissioner subsequently notified Petitioner that her application for certification was being denied because she had "attempted to cheat" on the essay portion of Test "by referring to a complete essay she had in her possession when she entered the room." This denial of Petitioner's application for certification is the subject of the instant proceeding.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that the Education Practices Commission enter a final order sustaining the denial of Petitioner's application for certification. DONE AND ENTERED this 30th day of August, 2005, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. S STUART M. LERNER 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 30th day of August, 2005.
The Issue The issue in this case is whether Respondent's license as a teacher in the State of Florida should be disciplined.
Findings Of Fact At all times relevant to this proceeding, Respondent, Daniel Klahn, was the holder of Florida teaching certificate 634054. The certificate is for the area of Social Studies and was valid through June 30, 1994. During the 1990-1991 school year, Mr. Klahn was employed as a teacher by the Taylor County School Board. Mr. Klahn and his wife have two sons, Daniel M. Klahn, II, and John D. Klahn. During the 1990-1991 school year, Mr. Klahn and his wife decided they wanted to adopt a female child. Toward this end, they agreed to be foster parents for the Florida Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services. L. S., a nine-year-old female child was placed as a foster child in the Klahns' home during the 1991-1992 school year. L. S. was born on May 3, 1982. She underwent surgery for ruptured blood vessels in her brain shortly after she was born. L. S. suffers from epilepsy. In approximately 1987, L. S. lived with her mother, step-father and two half-brothers. L. S. reported that her step-father had been sexually abusing her. L. S. was taken out of the home and placed in foster care as a result of her allegations against her step-father. L. S. ultimately admitted that it had been one of her step-brothers, Nathan Wheeler, that had abused her and not her step-father. Nathan was approximately 16 or 17 when the incident was reported by L. S. L. S. had originally accused her step-father because she had been told by Nathan that he would kill or otherwise harm her mother and step-father if she ever told on him. Nathan was eventually moved out of L. S.'s home. L. S. was not, however, allowed to go back to her mother for two years. During the two years that L. S. was in foster care she lived in four different foster care households, including Mr. Klahn's. Mr. Klahn's home was the fourth foster care home L. S. was placed in. She stayed in the home for approximately 3 months. L. S. was approximately 8 or 9 years old while she lived with Mr. Klahn. L. S., as a result of having been sexually abused, having been taken away from her mother and having been placed in various foster homes, was anxious to get back to her mother. When she was unhappy about a foster home, she would act out and become unruly. L. S. did not like being in Mr. Klahn's home. She believed that Mr. and Ms. Klahn treated her harder than they did their two sons. Mr. and Ms. Klahn were not very understanding of her situation and treated her as a child who simply lacked discipline. As a result of these facts and those described in finding of fact 13, L. S.'s grades started to slip and she became more troublesome. While in Mr. Klahn's home, L. S. continued to visit on occasion with the family that she had previously lived with, the Bennetts. At some point, L. S. reported to the Ms. Bennett that Mr. Klahn was abusing her. She eventually reported the alleged incidents to her mother. The alleged incidents reported by L. S., which form the bases of the Administrative Complaint against Mr. Klahn, are as follows: the Respondent inappropriately touched L. S. in the chest and vaginal area. when L. S. misbehaved the Respondent and his wife held down L. S. and attempted to place pepper in her mouth. The Respondent and his wife then placed liquid soap on L. S.'s mouth; the Respondent applied medication to L. S.'s vaginal area; the Respondent made inappropriate suggestive comments in front of L. S. Alleged Inappropriate Touching. The evidence failed to prove that Mr. Klahn "touched L. S. in the chest and vaginal area", except as discussed, infra. Pepper and Soap Incident. On one occasion, L. S. was in the dining room doing homework. Mr. Klahn was attempting to assist her when she became angry and threw a temper tantrum. L. S. called Ms. Klahn a "mother fucking witch." When she did, Ms. Klahn picked up a pepper shaker and told L. S. to stick out her tongue. L. S. refused. Ms. Klahn then went into the kitchen and got the dish washing liquid soap and returned to the dining room. Ms. Klahn then put soap on L. S.'s lips. Mr. Klahn had to hold L. S. in order for Ms. Klahn to put the soap on L. S.'s lips. Vaginal Medication. Shortly after being placed in Mr. Klahn's home, L. S. was diagnosed as suffering from a yeast infection. Medication for the infection was prescribed by a physician. Mr. Klahn applied the medicine to L. S.'s vaginal area. L. S. felt that she was old enough to put the medicine on herself or that Ms. Klahn should have put the medicine on rather than Mr. Klahn. L. S. did not, however, tell Mr. Klahn how she felt. The evidence failed to prove that Mr. Klahn put the medicine on L. S. because she refused to do it herself or because she refused to let anyone except Mr. Klahn put the medicine on. Suggestive Comments. The evidence failed to prove that Mr. Klahn made inappropriate suggestive comments in front of L. S.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED that a final order be entered dismissing the Administrative Complaint against Daniel Klahn. DONE AND ENTERED this 3rd day of April, 1995, in Tallahassee Florida. LARRY J. SARTIN 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 3rd day of April, 1995. COPIES FURNISHED: Robert J. Boyd, Esquire Post Office Box 26 Tallahassee, Florida 32302 J. Victor Africano, Esquire Post Office Box 1450 Live Oak, Florida 32060 Karen B. Wilde Florida Department of Education The Florida Education Center Room 301 Tallahassee, Florida 32399 Kathleen M. Richards, Administrator Professional Practices Services 352 Florida Education Center 325 Gaines Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399
The Issue Whether Respondent's teaching certificate should be revoked pursuant to Chapter 231, Florida Statutes, as set forth in petition, dated November 8, 1979. She is charged with obtaining a Florida substitute teaching certificate by fraudulent means and of grossly immoral conduct. Respondent Judy D. Linder appeared at the hearing unaccompanied by legal counsel or other representative. Her rights in an administrative proceeding were explained to her by the Hearing Officer and she acknowledged that she understood such rights. She elected to represent herself at the hearing. At the commencement of the hearing, the parties advised the Hearing Officer that the Respondent admitted the barges against her and did not desire to contest the allegations contained in the petition. The Respondent agreed to this arrangement pursuant to an understanding with Petitioner that it would recommend disciplinary action consisting of suspension of her teaching certificate for a period of one year to the State Board of Education. Respondent was advised by the Hearing Officer as to her rights to contest the allegations, but Respondent stated that she did not desire to do so. Accordingly, the matter was tried as an uncontested proceeding, pursuant to Rule 28-5.25(5), Florida Administrative Code. Petitioner presented documentary evidence in support of its allegations and the sole witness at the hearing was the Respondent who testified as to matters in mitigation and extenuation. (Petitioner's Exhibit 1).
Findings Of Fact On January 7, 1975, Respondent pleaded guilty to petit larceny in violation of Section 811.021(1)(d), Florida Statutes, in the Duval County Court, and was convicted of the offense and sentenced to pay a fine of $50.00, plus court costs. The offense involved taking unpurchased merchandise consisting of infant wear and two pairs of hose from a department store with intent to convert the same to personal use. (Petitioner's Exhibit 2) On June 5, 1975, Respondent was found guilty in the County Court of Duval County of violating driver license restrictions in violation of Section 322.16, Florida Statutes. She was sentenced to pay a fine in the amount of $15.00, plus court costs. (Petitioner's Exhibit 3) On March 1, 1977, Respondent pleaded guilty to the offense of petit larceny in violation of Section 812.021(1)(d), Florida Statutes, in the County Court of Duval County, and was sentenced to be imprisoned in the county jail for a term of 30 days, plus payment of court costs. The offense involved taking unpurchased merchandise consisting of one bottle of lotion from a discount store with intent to convert the merchandise to personal use. (Petitioner's Exhibit 4) On August 9, 1978, the State Department of Education received an application for a substitute teacher's certificate from Respondent. Section V of the application read as follows: "Have you ever been convicted or had adjudication withheld in a criminal offense other than a minor traffic violation or are there any criminal charges now pending against you other than minor traffic violations? Yes No . If yes, give details below." The word "No" was checked on the application. Section VI of the application included a signed notarized statement that the applicant understood that Florida Statutes provide for revocation of a teacher's certificate if evidence and proof is established that the certificate has been obtained by fraudulent means. It further stated "I further certify that all information pertaining to this application is true and correct." (Petitioner's Exhibit 5) On September 21, 1978, Respondent was issued Florida Substitute Teaching Certificate No. 441949, Substitute, Sank 3, valid through June 30, 1988. (Petitioner's Exhibit 6) Respondent testified that she had falsified her application for certification because she was "afraid." She further testified that she is now married and has a family and that she has rehabilitated herself. She desires to retain her certificate and work toward obtaining a full-time teacher's certificate in the future. She is presently employed as a teacher's aide at an elementary school in Boynton Beach, Florida. (Testimony of Respondent)
Recommendation That Respondent's substitute teaching certificate be suspended for a period of one year pursuant to Section 231.28, Florida Statutes. DONE and ENTERED this 6th day of May, 1980, in Tallahassee, Florida. THOMAS C. OLDHAM Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 101, Collins Building Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Craig R. Wilson, 315 Third Street West Palm Beach, Florida Hugh Ingram, Administrator Professional Practices Council Room 3, 319 West Madison Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Ms. Judy D. Linder 719 Executive Center Drive Apartment 205-E West Palm Beach, Florida 33401
The Issue Should the State of Florida, Education Practices Commission impose discipline against the Respondent for sexual misconduct with a student.
Findings Of Fact The Respondent held Florida Teaching Certificate No. 686332, covering the area of emotionally handicapped education, which was valid through June 30, 2002. At all times pertinent hereto, the Respondent was employed as a teacher at Bayonet Point Middle School in Pacso County School District. A.Y. was an emotionally handicapped student who had been a student of the Respondent in the 1999-2000 school year. Between June and December 2000, when A.Y. was 13 years old, the Respondent engaged in an inappropriate relationship with A.Y. This relationship included kissing, fondling, and on more than one occasion the Respondent's digital penetration of A.Y.'s vagina. On or about December 15, 2000, the Respondent was observed meeting A.Y. at a library when she got into his car and drove away. He later claimed he was counseling her. The Respondent was charged with two counts of committing lewd and lascivious acts with a minor as a result of his behavior with A.Y. On November 26, 2001, the Respondent entered a plea of guilty to both counts. The Respondent was adjudicated guilty on both counts, and sentenced to eight years in prison, followed by seven years of probation, concurrently on each charge. James Davis, the Director of Human Resources for the School Board of Pasco County where the Respondent taught, testified. Mr. Davis was a certified teacher with many years of experience and testified about professional standards and the impact of the Respondent's acts upon the school system. For a teacher to enter into a sexual relationship with a student, especially a young, emotionally handicapped student, is very harmful to the student emotionally and academically. A.Y. became defensive, and then felt guilty that she had caused the Respondent to get into trouble. Furthermore, such conduct destroys the faith the parents and other community members have in the educational system. There were articles in the newspaper about the situation which were adverse to the educational environment. The parents of A.Y. were very angry about the acts committed by the Respondent. The Respondent, when questioned by administrative staff for the Pasco School District, admitted he made an error in meeting A.Y., but denied any other inappropriate conduct.
Recommendation Upon consideration of the facts found and conclusions of law reached, it is RECOMMENDED: That a final order be entered permanently denying the Respondent a teaching certificate. DONE AND ENTERED this 27th day of February, 2003, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN 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 27th day of February, 2003. COPIES FURNISHED: Bruce P. Taylor, Esquire Post Office Box 131 St. Petersburg, Florida 33731-0131 James C. Howard Gulf Correctional Institution 500 Ike Steele Road Wewahitchka, Florida 34655 Kathleen M. Richards, Executive Director Education Practices Commission Department of Education 325 West Gaines Street, Room 224-E Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400 Marian Lambeth, Program Specialist Bureau of Educator Standards Department of Education 325 West Gaines Street, Room 224-E Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
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
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.
