1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 , OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND

4 Teaching License of ) FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION

5 MATTHEW LYNN COMBE )

'6] On or about October 20, 2004, the Teacher Standards and Practices

8 Commission (Commission) received a report indicating possible inappropriate conduct

9 by Matthew Combe, an educator in the Union Baker Education Service District.
10 After review of the matters alleged, Mr. Combe and the Commission agree that
1 1 their respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a
12 stipulation to certain facts and the imposition of a thirty (30) day suspension.
13 By signing below, Mr. Combe acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and
14 agrees to the following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing
15 to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and
16 finally waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or othenivise challenge this
17 Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Suspension (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this
18 Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon
19 request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and
20 subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not
21 approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Mr. Combe nor the
22 Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully read this Stipulation and
23 Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily, without any force or
24 duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry
25 of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) he states that no promises or representation has
26 been made to induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) he has
27 consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully
28 advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION — COMBE

1 attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry 0f
2 the Stipulated Final Order below.
3 STIPULATION OF FACTS
4 1. The Commission has licensed Mr. Combe since February 3, 2000. Mr. Combe recently
5 held an Emergency Administrator License that expired July 15, 2009 and currently holds
6 ' a Restricted Transitional Teaching License that expires May 1, 2010.
7 2. From 1996 to 2004, Mr. Combe was employed by the Union Baker Education Service
8 _ District. He was assigned as a teacher/coordinator of UBESD alternative education
9 programs. During 2004, the UBESD was investigated on allegations of money theft;
1O fraud, and other ﬁnancial improprieties. As part of the investigation of the UBESD, Mr.
11 Combe was interviewed by Oregon State Police and Department of Justice
12 investigators.
13 3. During the course of the UBESD investigation, Mr. Combe admitted to submitting one or
14 more travel reimbursement claims to the UBESD for mileage that he did not incur while
15 employed by the UBESD. He claimed reimbursement for personal mileage when he
16 actually drove a UBESD vehicle on business, or when he did not make the trip claimed.
17 Mr. Combe asserts that these reimbursements were actually related to other, non-travel,
18 work-related expenses, and that he had followed his supervisor's direction in
19 categorizing them as travel-expense reimbursement requests.
20 4. Mr. Combe fully cooperated with, and assisted, law enforcement ofﬁcials in their
21 investigation into wide-ranging allegations of impropriety involving a number of UBESD
22 staff and administrators.
23 ///
24 / / /
25 / l/
26 / / l
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION — COMBE

1 lT IS SO STIPULATED:

2

3 22!. ,. .' , ' mare?

4 Ma ' s 'Lynn Com- ( Date

g\ “a?!” l1! //.J / g ﬂed? 'g

7 Victoria Cha '75 .' ,' Executive Director Date

8 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

9 CONCLUSION OF LAW
10 1. Mr. Combe submitted one or more improper claims for travel reimbursement, as
11 described in paragraph 3 above. This conduct constituted gross neglect of duty under
12 ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c) (Knowing falsiﬁcahon/misrepresentation
13 related to employment, licensure or professional duties); OAR 584-020-0040(o) as it
14 incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of the profession by
15 respecting and obeying the law, exemplifying personal integrity and honesty).
16 2. Mr. Combe submitted one or more improper claims for travel reimbursement, as
17 described in paragraph 3 above. Any of this conduct is grounds for denial of Mr.
18 Combe’s teaching or administrative license under ORS 342.143(2) because he failed to
19 show good moral character or trustworthiness to hold a license; and the provisions of
20 OAR 584-050-0006(3)(d).
21 ORDER
22 The Restricted Transitional Teaching License of Matthew Lynn Combe is
23 suspended for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of this order and his right to
24 apply for an administrator license is revoked for the same thirty (30) day period.
25 Issued and dated this thday of November, 2009.
26 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
27 STATE OF OREGON
29
30 ictoria Cha ain, Executive Director

Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION — COMBE