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 Educator License of ) FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION

5 MARK EDMUND HAZELTON ) AND PROBATION

6 On or about September 3, 2015, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

7 (Commission) received a report from the Philomath Public School District alleging that Mark Edmund

8 Hazelton (Hazelton) had violated Professional Standards and Practices.

9 After review of the matters alleged, Hazelton and the Commission agree that their respective
1 O interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts, the
1 1 imposition of a six (6) month suspension of Hazelton’s Oregon educator license, and a one (1) year
12 period of probation to commence upon reinstatement of Hazelton’s Oregon educator license.
13 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the stipulated
14 sanction to be imposed. Hazelton stipulates that there is sufficient evidence in the Commission’s files
15 and records to support the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below.
16 By signing below, Hazelton acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the following:
17 (i) he has been fully advised of his rights t0 notice and a hearing to contest the findings of fact,
18 conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all such rights and any rights
19 to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Suspension and
20 Probation (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and
21 disclosed to the public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is
22 contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does
23 not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Hazelton nor the Commission
24 are bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, and understands
25 it completely; (v) he voluntarily, without any force or duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final
26 Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) he states that no
27 promises or representation has been made to induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and
28 (vii) he has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION- MARK
EDMUND HAZELTON

1 advised with regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an attorney prior
2 to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order
3 below.
4 STIPULATION OF FACTS
5 1) Hazelton has been licensed as an Educator in Oregon since February 4, 2008. Hazelton holds a
6 Charter School Registry (Administrator), with an endorsement in Administrator (ALL LVL), valid
7 from February 5, 2014, through February 4, 2017. During all relevant times, Hazelton was
8 employed by the Kings Valley Charter School (KVCS) as Executive Director.
9 2) On September 3, 2015, the Commission received a report from the superintendent of
1O Philomath Public Schools alleging that Hazelton may have violated professional standards.
1 1 Commission investigation determined the following:
12 a) On or about February 2015, KVCS hired AS, an 18 year old, former student of KVCS who
13 had not completed graduation requirements. AS was hired as a part time recess monitor
14 and KVCS allowed AS to work on credit recovery assignments towards his graduation
15 requirements when not performing job duties. AS was allowed to take the school bus to
16 KVCS as part of his employment.
17 b) Following AS’s hiring, Hazelton learned that AS was inappropriately interacting with a
18 thirteen-year-old, female, KVCS student (the student). This information included the
1 9 following:
20 i) In the spring of 2015, a Nutrition Service Worker reported to Hazelton that she had
21 observed AS inappropriately holding hands with the student on campus. Hazelton spoke to
22 AS who reportedly agreed to stop this behavior. Hazelton spoke to AS’s supervisor about
23 the incident who warned AS he could be terminated for another offense. AS was required to
24 watch a PACE training video. Hazelton did not conduct an official investigation into the
25 allegation, the student was not interviewed, the student’s parents were not notified, and AS
26 was never placed on administrative leave.
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION- MARK
EDMUND HAZELTON

1 ii) On or about May 2015, a school bus driver reported to Hazelton that the driver had
2 observed AS being overly friendly on the bus with the student. The driver directed them not
3 to sit together anymore and reported this to Hazelton. The following day, Hazelton
4 contacted AS and told him not to sit with the student on the bus. Hazelton did not conduct
5 an official investigation into the allegation, the student was not interviewed, the student’s
6 parents were not notified, and AS was never placed on administrative leave.
7 3. Contrary to professional expectations, Hazelton did not conduct or direct an appropriate
8 investigation to determine the veracity of the above mentioned allegations or whether the student
9 or any other KVCS students may be at risk given ‘die nature of the allegations regarding AS. In July
1O 2015, AS was arrested and charged with multiple sex crimes. AS’s criminal charges all involve the
1 1 student as the victim. Several of AS’s criminal charges involve conduct that had occurred while AS
12 and the student were riding on the school bus together.
13 4. Hazelton, as a Charter School Registrant, has not had the benefit of experiencing a formal
14 educator preparation program, which presumably would have provided him training in the area of
15 recognizing possible sex abuse. Hazelton, of his own volition, has offered to serve as a volunteer to
16 a non-profit organization that works with, and aids those who have suffered abuse. Hazelton offers
17 this in hopes that his exposure to the ways of such abuse will provide him with future insight so
18 that he may be better equipped t0 recognize such situations in the future.
19 IT IS S STIP TED: ‘
20 ikfix IOIZSIZQUQ
21 Mark E mun_d Hazelton Date
22 $251444» M // /i/o’£8/é
23 Dr. Monica Beane, Executive Director Date
24 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
25 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
26 Mark Edmund Hazelton’s conduct described above constitutes gross neglect of duty in
27 violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-001o(5)
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION- MARK
EDMUND HAZELTON

1 ( Use professional judgment), and OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using district lawful and reasonable
2 rules and regulations).
3 The Commission’s authority t0 impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
4 ORDER
5 The Commission hereby adopts and incorporates herein the above stipulation of facts,
6 conclusions of law, and based thereon hereby imposes a six (6) month suspension upon Hazelton’s
7 Oregon educator license as follows:
8 Mark Edmund Hazelton’s Oregon educator license is hereby suspended for six (6) months
9 following the adoption of this order.
1O Furthermore, the Commission imposes a period of one (1) year of probation upon Hazelton to
1 1 commence upon reinstatement of his Oregon educator license and subject to the following terms and
12 conditions of probation:
13 1. Hazelton shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of
14 Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter 584, Division 020.
15 2. Prior to the completion of his probation period, Hazelton shall provide the Commission
16 written proof of completion of 24 hours of volunteer service to a local non-profit
17 ‘organization that assists individuals who have suffered abuse.
18 Violation of any term or condition of probation shall constitute an independent basis for the
19 Commission to revoke Hazelton’s Oregon educator license or otherwise impose discipline, after first
20 providing Hazelton with notice and opportunity for hearing.
21
22
23 IT Is s0 ORDERED this JOL/L day of @Vméu, 20A.
24 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
25 t
26 By: Wm m
27 Dr. Monica Beanc, Executive Director
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION- MARK
EDMUND HAZELTON

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
I HEREBY CERTIFY that l served the foregoing Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Suspension
and Probation, certified by me as such, by mailing US. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail —
Return Receipt Requested, addressed to:
Mark Edmund Hazelton
14420 Wildwood RD
Philomath, OR 97370-9600
DATED this [2 I 5 day of November, 2016.
By:
P Sheldon
Investigative Assistant
Certificate of Mailing ~ Mark Edmund Hazelton
Data Classification Level: 1- Published
DO: Sheldon