1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,

4 Teaching License of ) AND FINAL ORDER

g HEIDI ANN LITCHFIELD ) OF REPRIMAND

7 On August 28, 2009, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission)

8 received a report from the Salem-Keizer School District, that Heidi Ann Litchfield (Litchfield)

9 failed to make a mandatory report of child abuse. i
1O After review of the matters alleged, Litchfield and the Commission agree that their i
1 1 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
12 facts and imposition of a Public Reprimand on her teaching license.

13 \ This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the stipulated
14 sanction to be imposed. Litchfield stipulates that there is sufficient evidence in the
1 5 Commission’s files and records to support the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set
1 6 forth below.
17 By signing below, Litchfield acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the
18 following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to contest the
19 findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all
20 such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of Facts, Order of
21 Reprimand (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public
22 document and disclosed to the public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and
23 Final Order is contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the
24 Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither
25 , Litchfield nor the Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) she has fully read this
i 26 Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) she voluntarily, without any
27 force 0r duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry
28 of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) she states that no promises or representation has been I‘
29 made to induce her to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) she has consulted with an \‘
30 attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully advised with regard to
31 her rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an attorney prior to entering into ‘
32 this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry 0f the Stipulated Final Order below.
33 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the Commission. If
34 the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Litchfield nor the Commission are bound by
35 these Stipulations and Litchfield retains all rights to a hearing on the allegations.
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, AND FINAL ORDER 0F REPRIMAND—LITCHFIELD, HEIDI ANN

1 STIPULATION OF FACTS
2 1. The Commission has licensed Litchfield since July 3, 1989. Litchfield currently holds a
3 Standard Teaching License, with endorsements in Basic Mathematics and Standard
4 Elementary, valid from October 19, 2007 until October 18, 2012. Litchfield also holds a
5 Continuing Administrator License issued October 28, 2004, valid through October 18, 2009.
6 Litchfield timely applied for renewal of her Administrator License. During all times relevant
7 to this matter, Litchfield was employed by the Salem-Keizer School District as an elementary
8 school principal.
9 2. On April 20, 2009 Litchfield was informed that the mother of an elementary student wanted
1 O to talk with her first thing that morning. Litchfield called and spoke with the mother by
1 1 phone who told her about an occurrence the evening prior at the family’s home when the
12 child had been injured by the father. The mother related that the child had been in a
13 “meltdown”, hysterical and screaming, and the father had slapped the student with his hand.
14 In doing so his finger caught the corner 0f the student’s eye, causing a black eye.
15 3. This mother further described the father as “devastated and embarrassed,” she said that the
16 student was very sensitive regarding the matter and that the family was dealing with the
1 7 difficult situation.
1 8 4. Later that morning the student was brought to school and Litchfield observed that the
19 student’s injury matched the mother’s description of the black eye.
20 5. Litchfield had known the student’s family over the preceding eight years through meeting
21 and speaking with them at school open houses, parent conferences and similar occasions
22 and she had had multiple opportunities to interact with the parents. She had consistently
23 observed the parents to be calm, reasonable, cooperative individuals who cared deeply for

‘ 24 their children.

i 25 6. After consulting with a colleague whom she believed to be highly knowledgeable concerning
26 child abuse reporting Ms. Litchfield concluded that because the injury was the result of an
27 accident a child abuse report was not needed.

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Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND-LITCHFIELD, HEIDI ANN

1 7. Litchfield did not report the injury to DHS or police that day. The following day another
2 teacher expressed concerns to Litchfield. Litchfield encouraged the teacher to make a report
3 of suspected child abuse.
4 IT IS S_O STIPULATED:
5 1 LQM "g (@412 ‘glgé £4161‘ 2 fi-Z-IZ
6 Heidi Ann Litchfield Date
7 -
8 @QQM 6/- QM
9 Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director Date
1O Teacher Standards and Practices Commission I
11 /// I
12 CONCLUSION 0F LAW
13 Heidi Ann Litchfield did not report an incident of suspected child abuse. This conduct
14 constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-o2o-oo4o(4)(n) as
15 it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use of professional judgment) and OAR 584-020-
16 oo40(4)(s) (Failing to report child abuse pursuant to ORS 419B.010).
17 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS
18 342.175.
1 9 / / /
1 20 ORDER
‘ 21 The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
22 conclusion of law, based thereon, hereby imposes a Public Reprimand 0n the Teaching License
23 of Heidi Ann Litchfield. M
24 IT IS SO ORDERED this i day of May, 2011.
25 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
27 By:
28 Victoria Chamberl ' , utive Director
29
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND~LITCHFIELD, HEIDI ANN