FEB l (l 2017
1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON ’
3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND 1
4 Educator License 0f ) FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND
5 MARGURITE SUE LYONS )
g On March 2, 2015, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
8 (Commission) received a report from ‘die Ontario School District alleging professional
9 misconduct on the part of licensed educator, Margurite Sue Lyons (Lyons).
1O After review 0f the matters alleged, Lyons and the Commission agree that their
1 1 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
12 certain facts and the imposition of a public reprimand.
1 3 By signing below, Lyons acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees t0 the
14 following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to contest
1 5 the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally
16 waives all such rights and any rights t0 appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of
17 Facts and Final Order of Reprimand (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation
1 8 and Final Order is a public document and disclosed t0 the public upon request by the
19 Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and subject to
20 approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not approve and
21 adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Lyons nor the Commission are
22 bound by the terms herein; (iv) she has fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, and
23 understands it completely; (v) she voluntarily, without any force 0r duress, enters into
24 this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated
25 Final Order below; (vi) she states that n0 promise or representation has been made to
26 induce her to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) she has consulted with an
27 attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully advised with
28 regard to her rights thereto, 0r waives any and all rights to consult with an attorney prior
29 to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of the Stipulated
30 Final Order below.
31 STIPULATION OF FACTS
32 1. Margurite Lyons has been licensed by the Commission since July 28, 1983. Lyons’
33 Standard Teaching License, with endorsements in Basic Family and Consumer
34 Studies (018) and Hospitality and Tourism (024), is valid from July 15, 2013,
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND- MARGURITE SUE LYONS

1 through July 14, 2018. During all relevant times, Lyons was employed by the
2 Ontario School District.
3 2. On March 2, 2015, the Commission received a district report indicating Lyons
4 may have committed acts which constitute gross neglect of duty. Investigation
5 determined that on December 7, 2014, Lyons redeemed a “Kohl’s Cash” store
6 credit for the purchase of personal items. The $150 value credit had been earned
7 by the school district during a prior purchase of items for the school’s culinary
8 program. It was school district policy that such rebates were the property of the
9 district and should be used to purchase additional materials for the culinary arts

1O program. When the district inquired as t0 what happened t0 the $150 Kohl’s Cash

11 certificate, Lyons had not been truthful in her responses. On February 19, 2015,

12 Lyons resigned her employment with the Ontario School District in lieu of

1 3 termination.

14

15 IT IS SO STIPULATED:

16 ~.

17 ' '““ ‘2|! l If t

18 Margurite e yons Date

19 E % ‘ g

20 é Z A312 2

21 Dr. Monica Beane, Executive Director Date

22 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

_ 23 ////

24 CONCLUSION OF LAW

25 Margurite Lyons’ conduct as described above, violates professional standards.

26 Lyons’ conduct constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR

27 584-020-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional

28 judgment), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(b) (Using and maintaining district property,

29 equipment, and materials appropriately), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(d) (Using district and

3O school business and financial procedures), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using district

31 lawful and reasonable rules and regulations), OAR 584-020-0030(2)(b) (Skill in

32 communicating with administrators, students, stafl”, parents, and other patrons); OAR

Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND- MARGURITE SUE LYONS

1 584-020-0040(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(2)(e) (Not use the district's
2 or school 's name, property, or resources for non-educational benefit or purposes
3 without approval of the educator's supervisor or the appointing authority), OAR 584-
4 020-0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the
5 law, exemplifying personal integrity and honesty); OAR 584-o2o-oo4o(4)(b)
6 (Substantial unauthorized use of employment time or school resources for private
7 purposes); and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c) (Falsification of any document or knowing
8 misrepresentation directly related to licensure, employment, or professional duties).
9 The above conduct also constitutes gross unfitness in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(c);
1O OAR 584-020-oo4o(5)(b) (Fraud or misrepresentation).
1 1 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
12 ORS 342.175.
1 3 ORDER
14 Based on the foregoing, the Commission hereby orders as follows:
15 1. The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings 0f fact and
16 conclusions of law, and based thereon, imposes a Public Reprimand on
17 Margurite Sue Lyons’ Oregon educator license(s).
1 8
19 Issued and dated this fi day 0f AhQ/JZ , 20 i .
20 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
21 STATE OF OREGON
2% By Z 714% Q g"
24 Dr. Monica Beane, Executive Director
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND- MARGURITE SUE LYONS