‘ BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the Matter of the Teaching License of )
) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
) SURRENDER OF LICENSE, AND
MICHAEL HOLEVAS ) REVOCATION ORDER
)

On or about June 29, 2000, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
(Commission) received a report from the Gresham-Barlow School District No. 10] concerning
Michael Holevas (Holevas), alleging misconduct at school concerning access to controlled
substances stored on school premises.

The Commission and Mr. Holevas have now reviewed the matters alleged and have
agreed that their respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by entering
into an Order of Surrender of License and Revocation of License based upon the following
stipulation of facts‘ Mr. Holevas neither admits nor denies that he engaged in wrongdoing or
violated any standards of professional conduct. However, he stipulates that there are sufficient
facts contained in the records and files of the Commission to support factual findings set forth
below and in entering this stipulation he consents to the Commission making these findings.
Mr. Holevas also waives his right to a hearing and understands that the Commission will adopt
the findings of fact, accept the surrender of his teaching license and revoke his teaching license.

This stipulation and order is subject to approval by the Commission at its next scheduled
meeting. If the Commission does not adopt the stipulation and order, neither Mr. Holevas nor
the Commission shall be bound by any matters contained in this stipulation and order.

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. FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Mr. Holevas holds a standard teaching license with endorsements in Integrated
Science and Biology, effective June 22, 1999 through June 4, 2005.

2. Mr. Holevas was employed as a science teacher at Gordon Russell Middle School
in the Gresham-Barlow School District from 1987 through June l9, 2000.

3. In May 2000, Mr. Holevas entered the Gordon Russell Middle School office and
removed prescription drugs for his personal use from a locked cabinet on at least three separate
occasions. The prescription drugs were stored by the district for student use.

4. On May 31, 2000, Mr. Holevas was confronted by district administrators. On the
same day, he admitted himself to an in-patient chemical dependency treatment program.

5. Mr. Holevas was placed on administrative leave by the School District and

‘ subsequently entered into a resignation agreement effective at the end of the school year, June 19,
2000.

6. Mr. Holevas successfully completed his in-patient treatment program and
continued with outpatient treatment.

7. Mr. Holevas has an outstanding teaching record and has received very positive
teaching evaluations. In 1994, he was nominated and voted as the best teacher in the Gordon
Russell Middle School. In 1995 the students selected him as one of three teachers for the Peers
Assisting with Love and Support (PALS) program.

8. Mr. Holevas recognizes the egregiousness of his conduct and surrenders his
license on the basis of the above facts and agrees to the revocation of his license.

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‘ CONCLUSION OF LAW
Mr. Holevas’ actions set forth above constitute a violation of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n)
and (0).
Michael Holevas Date
Méilji: I/aflw
David V. Myton, Executive Director Date
DISCUSSION AND ORDER
The Commission recognizes that Mr. Holevas’ misconduct was directly related to his
addiction to controlled substances. IIe has accepted responsibility for his conduct and has taken
. positive steps towards obtaining appropriate treatment.
The Commission accepts Mr. Holevas’ voluntary surrender of his Oregon Teaching
License. The Commission also revokes the license as provided under OAR 584-050-0027.
Under ORS 342.1756), any person whose license has been revoked may apply to the
Commission for reinstatement after one year from the date of revocation. If Mr. Holevas applies
for reinstatement at some future date, the decision will lie within the discretion of the
Commissioners who consider the matter at that time. Without limiting the discretion of fiiture
Commissioners, it is expected that Mr. Holevas would demonstrate and verify, at a minimum,
that he has fully and successfully participated in drug treatment and continued to participate in
treatment as appropriate and recommended by his drug treatment provider; that he has violated
no laws; that he has abstained from consuming any controlled substances, except as prescribed
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. by his physician, and from consuming alcohol if recommended by his drug treatment provider;
and that he has committed no acts which would constitute a violation of professional standards
under OAR 584 Division 020.
2X”
DATED this _ day of September 2000.
TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
David V. Myton, Executive Director
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