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

g TAMMY RAE BLANCHARD ) AND PROBATION

7 On or about September 19, 2011, the Teacher Standards and Practices

8 Commission (Commission) received a report from the Nyssa School District indicating

9 that Tammy Blanchard (Blanchard) was suspected of soliciting prescription pain
1O medications from students and community members.
1 1 Blanchard fully cooperated with the Commission‘s investigation in this matter.
12 After review of the matters alleged, Blanchard and the Commission agree that their
1 3 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
14 certain facts, the imposition of a 60 day suspension followed by four (4) year probation
15 and monitoring period.
16 By signing below, Blanchard acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agees
17 to the following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to
18 contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and
19 finally waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this
20 Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Suspension (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this
21 Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon
22 request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and
23 subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not
24 approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Blanchard nor the
25 Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) she has fully read this Stipulation and
26 Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) she voluntarily, without any force or
27 duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of
28 the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) she states that no promise or representation has
29 been made to induce her to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) she has
3O consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully
31 advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an
32 attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of
33 the Stipulated Final Order below. Blanchard understands that the probation will be
34 subject to specific terms and conditions.
35 / / /

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION- BLANCHARD, TAMMY RAE

1 STIPULATION OF FACTS
2 1, The Commission has licensed Tammy Rae Blanchard since December 28, 1994.
3 Blanchard’s current Standard Teaching License with an endorsement in Standard
4 Language Arts, issued on October 5, 2008, expires on October 4, 2013. During all
5 relevant times Blanchard was employed by the Nyssa School District as a full time
6 teacher. She resigned effective October 5, 2011. .
7 2. Blanchard is a long term educator who has no previous disciplinary issues with
8 TSPC or the Nyssa School District. Blanchard has been a well-respected language
9 arts teacher throughout her employment at the Nyssa School District.
10 3. Blanchard was diagnosed with cancer in March 2008. For approximately two
1 1 years, Blanchard was on intermittent lcavc for radiation, chemotherapy and
12 various surgeries. She returned to work full time in the spring of 2010.
13 4. Blanchard experiences significant pain in her hip and leg as a result of her cancer
14 treatment and ongoing anti-cancer drug regimen. Blanchard reports that her
15 pain was under-managed in late 2010 and early 2011. Her doctor referred her to
16 Meridian Pain Clinic, a clinic specializing in pain management, where she was
17 placed 0n a different long-acting medication that has much more effectively
1 8 managed her pain.
1 9 5. Since March, 2011, Blanchard has been seen monthly at the pain management
20 clinic. At each visit, she must submit a urine test. Her pain management
21 specialist reports that Blanchard has been compliant with the treatment plan and
22 exhibited no signs of abuse or drug seeking behavior. According to reports, She is
23 also functioning well under the treatment protocol. Blanchard will continue to be
24 monitored monthly at the clinic for as long as she continues t0 need specialized
25 pain management care.
26 6. In January and February, 2011, before she went to the pain management clinic,
27 Blanchard asked for and received prescription pain medications on three
28 occasions, twice from community members and once from a student. The pain
29 management specialist has characterized this as a “pseudo-addiction” behavior
30 which has been resolved by effective pain management.
31 / / /
32 / / /
33 / /
34 / / /
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION- BLANCHARD, TAMMY RAE

1 IT IS so STIPULATED:

2 W (ex wee

3 my c ard , Date

4 fig i "i" f: /' 7 ,5" é, 4 s- (12,9,

5 111/122 / // 4 . .a/M/ ~ / ~

6 Vic oria Chamberla' "I ecutive Director Date

7 Teacher Stand-1 s and Practices Commission

3 / / /

9 CONCLUSION 0F LAW
1O In January and February, 2011, Blanchard asked for and received prescription
1 1 pain medication from a student and two community members. This conduct constitutes
12 gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it
13 incorporates OAR 584-020-001o(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-
14 0035(1)(b) (Refrain from exploiting professional relationships with any student for
1 5 personal gain, or in support of persons or issues),OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(D)
16 (Honoring appropriate adult boundaries with students in conduct and conversations at
17 all times); and gross unfitness in violation of ORS 342.175(1)c); OAR 584-020-
18 0040(5)(e) (Admission of or engaging in acts constituting criminal conduct, even in the
19 absence of a conviction), specifically, OAR475.752(3) (...possess a controlled substance
20 unless the substance was obtained directly from, or pursuant to, a valid prescription...)
21 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
22 ORS 342.175.
23 ORDER
24 The Commission hereby adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact,
25 conclusions of law, and based thereon hereby imposes a sixty (60) day suspension upon
26 Blanchard’s Standard Teaching License as follows:
27 Tammy Rae Blanchard’s Standard Teaching License is hereby suspended for sixty
28 (60) days following the adoption of this order.

Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION- BLANCHARD, TAMMY RAE

1 Furthermore, the Commission imposes a four (4) year probation upon Blanchard
2 to commence the date of adoption of this order and subject to the following terms
3 and conditions of probation:
4 1. Blanchard will submit documentation that she has undergone an evaluation
5 by a drug / alcohol addiction professional acceptable to the Commission. This
6 evaluator shall provide a written evaluation report to the Commission.
7 Blanchard shall, at her own initiative and expense, comply with treatment
8 and/ or counseling recommended by the individual who completed the
9 evaluation described above. Blanchard shall authorize and sign any consent
1 0 forms necessary for the treatment provider or counselor to furnish records to
1 1 or discuss Bianchardis treatment with the Commission.
12 2. Quarterly, Blanchard will submit documentation that she has complied with
13 all treatment protocols recommended by her pain management specialist. If
14 Blanchard and her doctor determine that she no longer needs the
15 comprehensive pain management care currently provided by Meridian Pain
16 Center, she will notify the Commission of that change and will request that
17 her primary care doctor provide the Commission with semi-annual (generally
1 8 every six months) reports documenting any ongoing treatment for pain.
19 3. Blanchard shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical
20 Performance of Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules
21 Chapter 584, Division 020.
22 Violation of any term or condition of probation shall constitute an independent basis for
23 the Commission to revoke Blanchard’s teaching license or otherwise impose discipline,
24 after first providing Blanchard with notice and opportunity for hearing
25 / / / , '
26 Issued and dated this fly of April, 2012.
27 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
28 STATE OF OREGON
29 Z 22%; g j é Z Z I
30 B
31 Victoria Cha er a1n, Executive Director
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF SUSPENSION- BLANCHARD, TAMMY RAE