1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
. OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3 ln the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
4 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF REVOCATION
5 JIM P. VERITY ) AND PROBATION
6 On or about April 22, 2005, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
7 (Commission) received a report from Steve Swisher, Superintendent, Crook County School
8 District indicating that Jim P. Verity (Verity) had resigned his position with the Crook County
9 School District while under investigation by the Crook County School District and the Crook
10 County District Attorney’s Office.
1 1 Mr. Verity fully cooperated with the Commission’s investigation. After review of the
12 matters alleged, Mr. Verity and the Commission agree that their respective interests, together
13 with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts, a one (1) year
14 revocation of Mr. Verity’s teaching license and a four (4) year probation period upon
’ reinstatement of said licensure.
16 This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to
17 be imposed. Mr. Verity stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in the Commission's
18 files and records to support the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth below. ln
19 entering into this stipulation, Mr. Verity waives the right to a hearing to contest the finding of fact,
2O conclusion of law and order set forth below.
21 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the
22 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Verity nor the
23 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Verity retains all rights to a hearing on the
24 allegations.
25 STIPULATION OF FACTS
26 1. Mr. Verity has been licensed by the Commission since August 25, 1998.
' The Commission issued an Initial Teaching License with a Multiple Subjects Endorsement and
28 Mid-Level Authorization to Mr. Verity on November 8, 2001, valid until November 16, 2008.
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REVOCATION AND PROBATION - VERITY

1 2. There are no prior complaints or discipline issues in the Commission’s files for Mr.
. -c
‘ Verity. \qq g I
3 3. Mr. Verity was employed by Crook County School District from ‘Zed-kuntil his
4 resignation in July of 2005.
5 4. Beginning February 28, 2005, through May 25, 2005, approximately 2,625 text
6 messages were exchanged between Mr. Verity and a female student. Records indicate text
7 messages began in November 2004. Many of the text messages occurred between the hours
8 of 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
9 5. During the period of November 22, 2004, through May 25, 2005, 507 hours of
1O telephone conversations occurred between Mr. Verity and the female student. Approximately
11 twenty percent of the time during that period was spent on the telephone between Mr. Verity
12 and the student.
13 6. During the period of May 2005, Mr. Verity engaged in inappropriate physical conduct
with the female student. The conduct included kissing on the lips, neck and earlobe, grinding
9 his pelvis in her pelvic area and touching her breasts and groin area.
16 7. Mr. Verity accepts responsibility for his conduct and has expressed great remorse.
17 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the full
18 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Verity nor the
19 Commission are bound by these stipulations and Mr. Verity retains the right to a hearing on the
20 allegations.
21 lT lS o STlP ‘TED: _;
22 > l_ ‘ é! m
23 fm’ . Date
24 11/42,” ,1 11-1; u / ti’./_'_d__ .L —
25 'ictoria Cha -- ' , Executive I rector Date
26 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
O
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REVOCATION AND PROBATION — VERITY

1 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
. Jim P. Verity is guilty of Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of OAR 584-020-00040(4)(f),
3 any sexual conduct with a student and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o), as it incorporates OAR 584-
4 020-0035(1)(c), maintain an appropriate professional student-teacher relationship.
5 ORDER
6 The Commission adopts the above Stipulation of Facts, imposes a one (1) year
7 revocation of Mr. Verity’s Initial Teaching License effective the date of this order. Pursuant to
8 OAR 584-050-0015(4), Mr. Verity may apply to the Commission for reinstatement of his
9 teaching license on or after one (1) year from the date of this order.
10 Furthermore, if the license is reinstated, the Commission imposes a four (4) year
11 probation upon Mr. Verity to commence the date of issuance of said license and subject to the
12 following special terms and conditions of probation:
13 1. Mr. Verity shall participate in a Commission approved boundaries training program,
. successfully complete said program within the first year of the probation period and report in
15 writing to the Executive Director;
16 2. Mr. Verity shall report to the Commission his compliance with the treatment plan
17 every six (6) months during his probation, on or before: (Dates to be determined once license is
1 8 reinstated);
19 3. Mr. Verity shall notify the Commission of any discipline imposed upon him by an
20 employing school district for any reason during the term of this probation;
21 4. Mr. Verity shall report in writing within ten days to the Executive Director of the
22 Commission any arrest or citation for any felony, misdemeanor, or major traffic violation; and
23 5. Mr. Verity shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of
24 Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 584, and Division 020.
25 Violation of any of the terms of probation shall constitute an independent basis for the
. Commission to revoke Mr. Verity‘s teaching license or otherwise impose discipline, after first
27 / //
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REVOCATION AND PROBATION - VERITY

1 providing Mr. Verity with notice and opportunity for hearing. It is Mr. Verity’s duty to proactively

. seek termination of the probation at end of they years.
_ A

3 lT IS SO ORDERED this day of , 2006. '

4 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

5

6 By: M V

7 Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director

8 Approve to r :

9
10 _ ~ ___._
11 T m s Doyle, OSB# 97251
12 t ey for Jim P. Verity [022106]

q
Page 55 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REVOCATION AND PROBATION - VERITY