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Highlands Today

State To Consider Former Teacher's Discipline

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By MARC VALERO | Highlands Today

Published: May 26, 2008

SEBRING — The State Education Practices Commission will consider a settlement agreement concerning a former Highlands County teacher who is serving community supervision for a number of drug offenses.

Michael David Smith, 37, resigned from his teaching job at Avon Park Middle School a few days after his arrest on May 16, 2006 on charges of possession of methamphetamine, possession of methadone without a prescription, possession of cyclobenzaprine without a prescription, possession of lunesta without a prescription, possession of Phenobarbital without a prescription, possession of drug paraphernalia and tampering with physical evidence.

On Oct. 16, 2006, Smith was arrested and charged with trespass and petty theft.

He was sentenced on March 28, 2007 to serve three years of community supervision for the drug-related offenses and one year of community supervision for the trespass and petty theft offenses.

The pending settlement agreement with Florida Department of Education notes that Smith was employed as an exceptional student education teacher at Avon Park Middle School.

The settlement calls for a two-year suspension of Smith's Florida educator's certificate, effective from July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2008. He would also agree to a substance abuse evaluation and submit to periodic substance abuse screenings.

He would be on probation for a period of two employment years, according to the settlement agreement.

The State of Florida Education Practices Commission will consider approval of the agreement on June 12 during its Teacher Hearing Panel.

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