j
i '7 1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3
4 In the Matter 0f the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
5 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF SUSPENSION
g LARRY DEAN SHARP g AND PROBATION
8 On or about February 8, 2001, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
9 (Commission) received a report from Art Johns, Superintendent, Winston-Dillard Public Schools
10 indicating that Larry Dean Sharp, a licensed educator, may have violated Standards by making
11 inappropriate comments to female students, inappropriate use of a computer, and neglect of
12 duty.
13 Mr. Sharp fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation, After review of the
14 matters alleged, Mr. Sharp and the Commission agree that their respective interests, together
I l15 with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts and the surrender of his
16 teaching license. This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the
17 sanction to be imposed. In entering into this stipulation, Mr. Sharp waives the right to a hearing
18 to contest the findings of fact, conclusion of law and order set forth below. Mr. Sharp
19 understands that the Commission will accept the surrender of his teaching license and will
20 suspend the teaching license. Mr. Sharp understands that reinstatement of his teaching license
21 after the one-year period of suspension will be subject to specific conditions and a subsequent
22 two (2) year period of probation.
23 STIPULATION OF FACTS
24 1. The Commission has licensed Mr. Sharp as an Oregon Educator continuously since
25 January 11, 1972. He currently holds a Standard Oregon Teaching License with Basic
26 Advanced Mathematics, Basic Chemistry, Basic Physics and Basic Biology Endorsements
/ ‘27 issued October 22, 1999, valid until October 14, 2004.
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

' 1 2. Mr. Sharp was employed by Winston-Dillard Public Schools, Douglas High School,
2 beginning in September of 1990. Mr. Sharp served as a licensed educator in the classroom
3 until December 10, 2000, when he took medical leave. By agreement dated January 18, 2001,
4 Mr. Sharp resigned his teaching position effective June 30, 2001. The agreement allowed Mr.
5 Sharp to take paid medical leave until April 30, 2001, after which time his medical leave was
6 unpaid through the end of the year.
7 3. Mr. Sharp made inappropriate and offensive sexual comments to female students.
8 4. Mr. Sharp failed to supervise male students in his classroom, and as a result the
9 students accessed sexually explicit Internet sites on Mr. Sharp's classroom computer. i
10 5. Mr. Sharp accepts responsibility for making inappropriate sexual comments to female 3
11 students and acknowledges his behavior was inappropriate.
12 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the
.13 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Sharp nor the
14 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Sharp retains all rights to a hearing on the
15 allegations.
16 IT I SO STIPULATED:
ng gig)?‘ [in CZ >1%;Si> 15,12,511ef
19 ‘L Dea Sharp Date
$2 &M%rj J,\ {7/1/01
22 David V. Myton Executive Director Date
23 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
24 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
25 Mr. Sharp violated OAR 584-020-0040(4)(f) by making repeated inappropriate and
26 offensive sexual comments to female students and creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive
27 educational environment for those students. This conduct also demonstrated failure use
.28 professional judgment in violation of OAR 584-020-0010(5) and failure to demonstrate a skill in
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

' 1 communication with students in violation of OAR 584-020-0030(2)(b). Mr. Sharp violated OAR
2 584—020-0020(2)(d) by failing to supervise students so that the students accessed sexually
3 explicit content on Mr. Sharp's computer.
4 ORDER
5 The Commission suspends the Oregon Standard Teaching License of Larry Dean Sharp
6 effective July 13, 2001 for a period of one year. At the end of this suspension period, Mr. Sharp’
7 Teaching License shall be reinstated providing he meets the following conditions:
8 1. Complete application with required supporting documentation and fees;
9 2. Documentation that he has completed (at his own expense), an intensive education
10 program regarding appropriate boundaries with students, including sexual harassment
11 education conducted by a qualified trainer approved in advance by the Commission. This
12 intensive training shall consist of, at least, five (5) one and one-half (1 Vz) hour sessions. Mr.
.13 Sharp shall provide the trainer with a copy of this Order. The program trainer shall provide the
14 Commission with a report of successful program completion;
15 3. Documentation that he has he has undergone an evaluation by a psychotherapist or
16 medical professional acceptable to the Commission. The evaluator shall submit a written report
17 to the Commission attesting (1) Mr. Sharp is fit to work with children and teenagers, and (2)
18 there is a high probability he will not engage in similar inappropriate behavior. Any costs
19 associated with the assessment or treatment will be the responsibility of Mr. Sharp;
20 4. Documentation that he has he has undergone an evaluation by a psychotherapist or
21 medical professional acceptable to the Commission, and the evaluator submits a written report
22 to the Commission attesting that Mr. Sharp is medically stable, mentally and physically fit to
23 serve as a licensed educator. Any costs associated with the assessment or treatment will be
24 the responsibility of Mr. Sharp.
'25 l / /
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

' 1 Upon reinstatement of his teaching license, Mr. Sharp shall be placed on probation for
2 a period of two years and subject to the condition that he comply with all Standards for
3 Competent and Ethical Performance under Chapter OAR 584, Division 020.
4 Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for the
5 Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Mr. Sharp‘ teaching license
6 subject Mr. Sharp’ right to a hearing on the issue of whether he violated probation.
7 Dated this ind/aw of July 2001
8 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
9 fi . E é
1O By: 7171.,-
11 David V. Myton, Ex cutive Director
12 Approved as to form:
13 h .
.14 lz'g i244.’ Y/ 17”
15 Ralph . iser, OSB #81423
16 Attorn for Larry Dean Sharp
O
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION