1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,

4 Teaching License of ) SURRENDER AND FINAL

5 KARL J. MEINER ‘ ) ORDER OF REVOCATION

6 On or about April 21, 2008, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

7 (Commission) received a report from Deborah Dineen, Director of Performance, Portland Public

8 Schools, indicating that Meiner had an “inappropriate relationship" with a student.

9 Mr. Meiner has fully cooperated with the TSPC investigation. After review of the matters
10 alleged, Mr. Meiner and the Commission agree that their respective interests, together with the
11 public interest, are best sewed by a stipulation to certain facts and a surrender of his teaching
12 license pursuant to OAR 584-050-0027. I
13 Mr. Meiner agrees that the Commission has the authority to investigate the allegations
14 against him, make findings of fact and conclusions of law. Mr. Meiner understands that the
15 Commission will rely upon these findings to revoke his license and waives his right to appeal the
16 revocation of his license.

17 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the

18 stipulated sanction to be imposed. Mr. Meiner stipulates that the TSPC has the statutory ,

19 authority to rely upon these facts to support this order and he will not contest this order.

20 By signing below, Mr. Meiner acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to the

21 following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing to contest the

22 findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally waives all

23 such rights and any rights to appeal or othen/vise challenge this Stipulation of Facts, of

24 Surrender and Final Order of Revocation (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation and

25 Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon request by the Commission;

26 (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by

27 the Commission. If the Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL ORDER OF SURENDER AND REVOCATION - MEINER

1 Order, then neither Mr. Meiner nor the Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has
2 fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, and understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily
3 enters into this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated
4 Final Order below; (vi) he has consulted with an attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final
5 Order and has been fully advised with regard to his 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.
8 STIPULATION OF FACTS
9 1. The Commission has licensed Meiner since August 16, 1998. Mr. Meiner holds a
10 Standard Teaching License with a Standard Language Arts Endorsement, issued December 5,
11 2007, valid through December 4, 2012.
12 2. Mr. Meiner began employment with Portland Public School on September 24, 1998
13 sewing as an English teacher. Mr. Meiner resigned at the end of the 2008 school year.
14 3. On April 20, 2008 police responded to an argument at the Meiner home between Mr.
15 Meiner and Mrs. Meiner regarding the presence of a 17-year old female student at the home
16 and an allegation of an inappropriate relationship between Mr. Meiner and the student.
17 4. Mrs. Meiner explained to police that the couple was currently divorcing and part of the
18 mediation agreement mandated that the student not be in the home alone with Mr. Meiner.
19 5. Mrs. Meiner provided police with evidence of an inappropriate relationship between
20 Mr. Meiner and the student. Such evidence included a box from the student containing the
21 female students undergarments and a note which read in part “Panties!...And there is more
22 where that came from..." Mrs. Meiner also reported to police that she found a very personal
23 email to the female student from Mr. Meiner.
24 6. Police also responded to the attempted suicide of the female student at the scene of
25 the Meiner home. The student explained to police that she was distraught about being
26 confronted with allegations of a sexual relationship with Mr. Meiner.
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL ORDER OF SURENDER AND REVOCATION - MEINER

1 7. Mr. Meiner admitted that the students‘ undergarments were in the home, but denied a
2 sexual r ationship, explaining to police that student sometimes did her laundry at the home.
3 IT IS ’ I’~T 4 ULATED:
4 ‘A - ~ i5 [O )Z O Q
5 K l~¢$r _ Date
6 $22 ll ///. .Q X45454)
7 ficton Cha -- = 'aln, ecutive Director Date
8 Teacher Standars and Practices Commission
9 CONCLUSION OF LAW
1O Karl J. Meiner failed to maintain appropriate professional student-teacher relationship
11 with a female student. This conduct constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of OAR 584-
12 020-0040(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(D). Mr. Meiner sent inappropriate
13 email and notes to a female student. This conduct constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty in violation
14 of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(B). Mr. Meiner did not
15 report to Portland Pubiic Schools that he had received overly personal communications from a
16 student. This conduct constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o)
17 as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c)(C). The Commission’s authority to impose discipline
18 in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
19 ORDER
20 The Commission accepts the surrender of Karl J. Meiner’s Standard Teaching License
21 and hereby revokes said license.
22 IT rs so ORDERED this A” day of August, 2008.
23 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
24
25 By; M é 2m ‘
26 lctoria Cha ' , Executive Director
27 [071508]
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, FINAL ORDER OF SURENDER AND REVOCATION a MEINER