1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL

4 Educator License of ) ORDER OF SURRENDER AND

5 FRANCESCA MAUREEN CRONAN ) REVOCATION OF LICENSURE

6

7 On or about August 31, 2016, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

8 (Commission) received information indicating that Francesca Maureen Cronan (Cronan) had

9 demonstrated unprofessional and designated acts of gross neglect of duty and/ or unfitness for
1O duty while employed as an educator at St. Mary’s Academy, a private all girls high school under
1 1 the Archdiocese of Portland.
12 After review of the matters alleged, Cronan and the Commission agree that their
13 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
14 facts, and the revocation of Cronan’s Oregon educator license.
15 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the stipulated
16 sanction to be imposed. Cronan stipulates that there is sufficient evidence in the Commission’s
17 files and records to support the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below.
18 By signing below, Cronan acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the
19 following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to contest the
20 findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all
21 such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of Facts and Final
22 Order of Surrender and Revocation of Licensure (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this
23 Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon request by the
24 Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and subject to approval
25 and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not approve and adopt this
26 Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Cronan nor the Commission are bound by the terms
27 herein; (iv) she has fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely;

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SURENDER AND REVOCATION OF
LICENSURE- FRANCESCA MAUREEN CRONAN

1 (v) she voluntarily, without any force or duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and
2 consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) she states that no
3 promises or representation has been made to induce her to sign this Stipulation and Final
4 Order; and (vii) she has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order
5 and has been fully advised with regard to her rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to
6 consult with an attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and
7 entry of the Stipulated Final Order below. This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties
8 have agreed and the sanction to be imposed. Cronan disputes some of the factual allegations,
9 but stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in the C0mmission’s files and records to
1O support the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth below. By entering into this
1 1 stipulation, Cronan waives the right to a hearing to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of
1 2 law and order set forth below regarding her license.
1 3
14 STIPULATION OF FACTS
15 1. The Commission has licensed Cronan since April 15, 2009. Cronan currently holds a
16 Professional Teaching license, with an endorsement in English Language Arts (PK-12),
17 valid from January 27, 2016, through January 26, 2021. During all relevant times,
1 8 Cronan was employed by the Saint Mary’s Academy (SMA) under the Archdiocese of
1 9 Portland.
20 2. On or about August 31, 2016, the Commission received information indicating that
21 Cronan had been involved in an inappropriate relationship with a female student during
22 the time frame of the 2010 and 2011 school years.
23 3. Investigation determined that in September, 2008, AG, a sophomore at St. Mary’s
24 Academy, asked Cronan to serve as a confirmation sponsor. Cronan agreed. Through
25 that sponsorship, Cronan and AG developed a personal relationship that exceeded the
26 boundaries of appropriate student/ teacher boundaries. This included the exchange of
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SURENDER AND REVOCATION OF
LICENSURE- FRANCESCA MAUREEN CRONAN

1 personal emails, texts and phone calls. By the fall of 2009, Cronan realized that her
2 relationship with AG was inappropriate. However, she failed to confer with her
3 administrator or take steps to clearly stop the relationship. Rather, she and AG agreed to
4 keep the fact of their close personal relationship confidential because of the potential
5 impact on Cronan’s job.
6 4. AG alleges that during the 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 school years, she and Cronan
7 engaged in a romantic, sexual relationship; Cronan denies any sexual contact.
8 5. Cronan has participated in interviews with the Commission during the course of the
9 investigation. Cronan has admitted to violations of professional standards regarding AG,
10 including those related to teacher / student boundaries, but denies any sexual conduct
_ 1 1 had occurred between her and AG.
1 2
13 IT IS SO STIPUIATED:
14 I I f I 2f I 7
15 Franc a Maureen Cronan Date
1s II l ca I I Z
17 Trent D owski, Co-Interim cutive Director Date
18 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
1 9
20 CONCLUSION OF LAW
21 Francesca Maureen Cronan engaged in inappropriate conduct with a student. This
22 conduct constitutes the following stipulated violations: Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of
23 ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use
24 professional judgment); OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(A) (Not demonstrating or expressing
25 professionally inappropriate interest in a student's personal life); and OAR 584-020-
26 0035(1)(c)(D) (Honoring appropriate adult boundaries with students in conduct and
27 conversations at all times); and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(f) (Any sexual conduct with a student)
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SURENDER AND REVOCATION OF
LICENSURE- FRANCESCA MAUREEN CRONAN

1 as defined in ORS 339.37o(9) and OAR 584-020-ooo5(5). The Commission’s authority to
2 impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
3 ORDER
4 The Commission adopts the above Stipulation of Facts, accepts the licensure surrender
5 and revokes Francesca Maureen Cronan’s Oregon educator license.
6
7 IT 1s s0 ORDERED this I it day of hat-9 ,2011. £2; 11¢,
8 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
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Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SURENDER AND REVOCATION OF
LICENSURE- FRANCESCA MAUREEN CRONAN

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING

I HEREBY CERTIFY that I served the foregoing Stipulation 0f Facts and Final Order of Surrender and
Revocation of Licensure, certified by me as such, by mailing U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified
Mail — Return Receipt Requested, addressed to:

Francesca Maureen Cronan

6019 SE 46th Ave

Portland, OR 97206
DATED this fi +£3- day of January, 2018.
By:

Sheldon
Investigative Assistant

Certificate of Mailing — Francesca Maureen Cronan
Data Classification Level: 2 ~ Limited
DO: Sheldon