1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
. OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,

4 I Teaching License of ) ORDER OF REPRIMAND

g CYNTHIA LYNN FORREST ) AND PROBATION

7 On June 17, 2005, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission) received

8 a report from Jim Robinson, Superintendent, Lebanon Community Schools indicating that Cynthia

9 Lynn Forrest (Forrest) took inappropriate physical action with students on two occasions in May of
10 2005.
1 1 Ms. Forrest fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After review of the matters
12 alleged, Ms. Forrest and the Executive Director agree that their respective interests, together with the
13 public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts, a reprimand followed by a period of
14 probation of two (2) years.
15 This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to be
1. imposed. Ms. Forrest stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in the Commission’s files and
17 records to support the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth below. In entering into this
18 stipulation, Ms. Forrest waives the right to a hearing to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law
19 and order set forth below. Ms. Forrest understands that the Commission will impose a two (2) year
2O probation.
21 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the Commission. If
22 the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Ms. Forrest nor the Commission are bound by
23 these Stipulations and Ms. Forrest retains all rights to a hearing on the allegations.
24 STIPULATION OF FACTS
25 1. Ms. Forrest has been licensed by the Commission since September 14, 1989.
26 Ms. Forrest holds an Oregon Standard Teaching License issued January 18, 2001, valid until
27 December 26, 2005, with Basic Music and Standard Elementary endorsements. ‘
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Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION ~ FORREST

1 2. Ms. Forrest was em loyed by Lebanon Community School District as an elemerfllmisiZ'
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‘teacher from £3? through 2005, when she resigned‘.3
3 3. On March 15, 2004, a student complained that Cynthia Forrest had grabbed both of his
4 upper arms and escorted him backwards from her classroom. On April 5, 2004, Ms. Forrest received
5 a letter from the District reviewing the District policy on physical restraint.
6 4. On May 11, 2005, a student complained that Ms. Forrest had grabbed the student’s arm to
7 prevent the student from walking away while Ms. Forrest was talking to her. On May 12, 2005,
8 Ms. Forrest received a written reprimand from the District for failure to adhere to District policy on
9 physical restraint.
10 5. On May 19, 2005, a student complained that Ms. Forrest had “snapped” a towel at him,
11 striking him in the eye. Ms. Forrest explained that the injury to the students eye was accidental. On
12 June 1, 2005, Ms. Forrest received a second written reprimand from the District for failure to adhere to
13 District policy on physical restraint.
“ 6. Ms. Forrest accepts responsibility for her behavior and acknowledges her behavior was
15 inappropriate.
15 CONCLUSION OF LAW
17 Based on facts set forth above it appears that Ms. Forrest's behavior on March 15, 2004,
18 May 11, 2005 and, as reported on May 19, 2005, outlined above, is part of a continuing pattern of
19 behavior involving unreasonable use of physical force against students. This misconduct constitutes
2O Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(d). The Commission's authority to impose
21 discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
22 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
23 cud/b 1 W 4 m /¢’ ‘"516
24 , ‘ > ‘ . O ," REST _ Date
25 i; 2%,” /—1/-@¢
26 ictoria Chawerlain, Executive Director Date
27 Teacher Stan - ds and Practices Commission
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Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION < FORREST

1 ORDER
’ The Commission imposes a Public Reprimand on Cynthia Lynn Forrest. This Stipulation of
3 Facts, Order and Probation constitutes the Reprimand.
4 Furthermore, the Commission imposes a two (2) year probation upon Ms. Forrest subject to
5 the following terms and conditions:
6 1. Ms. Forrest shall submit, within the first six months of said probation, documentation that
7 she has completed (at her own expense), a Classroom Management Course conducted by an
8 accredited institution approved in advance by the Commission. Ms. Forrest shall present evidence of
9 completion of the Classroom Management Course by July 26, 2006.
1O 2. Ms. Forrest shall comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance under
11 Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 584, Division 020.
12 Violation of any term or condition of this probation may constitute an independent basis for the
13 Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Ms. Forrest's teaching license
‘ subject to Ms. Forrest's right to a hearing on the issue of whether she violated probation.
15' IT IS SO ORDERED this i day of January, 2006.
16 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
17 .
1s By.\ M MM
19 Victoria Chamb In, Executive Director
2O Approved as to form:
22
23 u a asih OSBft 973 4
24 Attorney for Cynthia Lynn Forrest [010306]
25
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Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF REPRIMAND AND PROBATION - FORREST