1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACT S AND

4 Educator License of ) FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAN D

5 ERIN BOLAND DE CRISTO ) AND PROBATION

£73 0n or about July 17, 2014, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

8 (Commission) received a report from the Reynolds School District indicating Erin

9 DeCristo (DeCristo) may have committed an act of gross neglect of duty and/0r gross
1 O unfitness.
1 1 After review of the matters alleged, DeCristo and the Commission agree that their
12 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
13 certain facts, the imposition of a public reprimand, and a period of probation.
14 This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the
15 sanction to be imposed. DeCristo stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in
16 the Commission’s files and records to support the findings of fact and conclusions of law
17 set forth below. In entering into this stipulation, DeCristo waives the right to a hearing
18 to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order set forth below.
19 By signing below, DeCristo acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to
20 the following: (i) she has been fully advised of her rights to notice and a hearing to
21 contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and
22 finally waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this
23 Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Reprimand and Probation (Stipulation and Final
24 Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the
25 public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is
26 contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the
27 Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither
28 DeCristo nor the Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) she has fully read this
29 Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) she voluntarily, without
3O any force or duress, enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance
31 and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) she states that no promise or
32 representation has been made t0 induce her to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and
33 (vii) she has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and
34 has been fully advised with regard to her rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to

Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER 0F REPRIMAND WITH PROBATION - ERIN
BOLAND DE CRISTO

1 consult with an attorney prior to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and
2 issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below.
3 STIPULATION OF FACTS
4 1. The Commission has licensed DeCristo since October 24, 1996. DeCristo’s
5 Professional Teaching License, with endorsements Elementary-Multiple Subjects
6 (PK-12), English to Speakers of Other Languages (PK-12), and Reading
7 Intervention (PK-12), is valid from November 18, 2015, through November 18,
8 2021. During all relevant times, DeCristo was employed by the Reynolds School
9 District.
1O 2. On July 17, 2014, the Commission received a report from the Reynolds School
1 1 District alleging DeCristo had violated professional standards involving testing
12 improprieties in the course of an English Language Proficiency Assessment
13 (ELPA) test DeCristo administered. District and Commission investigations
14 determined that on or about March 31, 2014, through April 2, 2014, DeCristo
15 improperly assisted students taking the ELPA test in violation of testing
16 protocols. DeCristo improperly assisted students by whispering word(s) to
17 students while the students were speaking into the test. Investigation determined
18 DeCristo had been properly trained to administer the test, and DeCristo signed
19 the “Test Administrator Assurance of Test Security” form indicating she
20 understood testing protocol and requirements. As a result of DeCristo’s conduct,
21 multiple students had their test invalidated.
22
23 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
24 I ' ‘ \
25 1 Wblfimwl BZQg/z 8%?‘ LOLH'“
26 Erin Boland DeCristo Date
2; 'gg Diamfi q (a) 1.1011
29 Trent Danowski, Co-Interim Executive Director Date
30 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
31
32 CONCLUSION OF LAW
33 The conduct described above constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS
34 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-02o-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-
35 0010(2)(Encourage scholarship), OAR 584-020-0010(4)(Raise educational standards),
36 OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND WITH PROBATION — ERIN
BOLAND DE CRISTO

1 district lawful and reasonable rules and regulations); and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o) as it
2 incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(3)(a)(Maintain the dignity of the profession by
3 respecting and obeying the law, exemplifying personal integrity and honesty).
4
5 The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
6 ORS 342.175.
7 ORDER
8 The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
9 conclusions of law, and based thereon, imposes a Public Reprimand on Erin Boland
1O DeCristo’s Oregon educator licenses.
1 1 Furthermore, the Commission imposes a period of four (4) years of probation
12 upon DeCn'sto’s Oregon educator license to commence from the date this order is signed
1 3 by the Commission and subject to the following condition(s):
14 1. DeCristo shall comply with the Standards for Competent and Ethical
15 Performance of Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules Chapter
16 584, Division 020.
1 7
1 8 Issued and dated this fililL day of November, 2017.
1 9 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
20 STATE OF OREGON
21
22 By 3:3’ $2 9M m i
23 Trent Danowski, Co-Interim Executive Director
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND WITH PROBATION - ERIN
BOLAND DE CRISTO