l BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
'2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS
4 Licensure of ) AND
5 MELISSA L. SKOCZYLAS ) FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION
e On December 7, 2005, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission)
7 received a report from Randy J. Harvey, Director Human Resources, Tigard-Tualatin School
8 District alleging that Melissa L. Skoczylas (Skoczylas) violated standards by falsifying her
9 employment application and providing false information to the District regarding her licensure.
10 Ms. Skoczylas fully cooperated with the Corn'niSsions investigation. After review 0F the
11 matters alleged, Ms. Skoczylas and the Executive Director agree that their respective interests,
12 together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts, a sixty (60) day
13 suspension of her teaching license.
l4 This document sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the
‘5 stipulated sanction to be imposed Ms. Skoczylas stipulates that there is sufficient evidence in
'10 the Commission's files and records to support the findings of fact. conclusions of law, and order
17 set forth below.
18 By signing below, Ms. Skoczylas acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to
19 the 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 othenivise cha!lenge this Stipulation of Facts and Final
22 Order of Suspension (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation and Final Order is a public
23 document and disclosed to the public upon request by the Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and
24 Final Order is contingent upon and subject to approval and adoption by the Commission. If the
25 Commission does not approve and adopt this Stipulation and Final Order. then neither Ms.
26 Skoczylas nor the Commission are bound by the terms herein; (iv) she has fully read this
27 Stipulation and Final Order. and understands it completeiy; (v) she voluntarily, without any force
.3 or duress, enters into this Stipuiation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION — SKOCZYLAS

1 Stipulated Final Order below; (vi) she states that no promises or representation has been made
.2 to induce her to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) she has consulted with an
3 attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully advised with regard to her
4 rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an attorney prior to entering into this
5 Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry of the Stipulated Final Order below.
6 STIPULATION OF FACTS
7 1. On August 26, 2002, the Commission issued Ms. Skoczylas an Initial Teaching
8 License with Basic Mathematics and Multiple Subjects Endorsements. On October 13, 2005,
9 the Tigard-Tualatin School District requested a Conditional Assignment Permit for Advanced
10 Mathematics. Ms. Skoczylas currently holds an Initial Teaching License valid April 24, 2006,
11 through April 23, 2010, with Basic Mathematics and Multiple Subjects Endorsements.
12 2. Ms. Skoczylas was employed by the West Linn-Wilsonville School District on a
13 temporary contract during the 2002-2003 school year.
‘i 3. Ms. Skoczylas asserts that a professor in her MAT program advised her that she
15 should state on job applications and resumes that she held a certain type of license
16 endorsement if Ms. Skozylas were working toward that type 0f endorsement. Accordingly, on
17 September 13, 2005, Ms. Skoczylas submitted an Application for Licensed Employment to
18 Tigard-Tualatin School District indicating that she held an Advanced Math Endorsement. Ms.
19 Skoczylas also submitted a resume indicating that she held an Advanced Mathematics ‘
20 Endorsement. On September 26, 2005, the District hired Ms. Skoczylas to teach math at Tigard
21 High School. On September 30, 2006, Ms. Skoczylas contacted a building vice principal and
22 told him she did not yet have her Advanced Math Endorsement. Ms. Skoczylas resigned her
23 employment with the Tigard-Tualatin School District effective December 2, 2005.
24 ///
25 ///
‘6 ///
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION - SKOCZYLAS

1 4. Due to family issues and scheduling difficulties, Ms. Skoczylas was not able to_take
.2 the Praxis test for the math endorsement prior to September 13, 2005.
3 lT IS SO STIPULATED AND AGREED T0:
i
4 [kéfizingztt' l7’! ago ¢>
5 Melis a L. Skoczyl Date
6 .
7 MM —___________/e “7'4"
8 ictoria Cha in, Executive Director Date
9 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
10 CONCLUSION OF LAW
11 Melissa L. Skoczylas‘ knowing misrepresentation directly related to employment
12 constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c). The Commission has
13 the authority to impose discipline in this matter under ORS 342.120 through 342.430 and OAR
14 Chapter 584.
15 FINAL ORDER
16 The Commission hereby adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
.1 conclusion of law and based thereon, suspends the Initial Teaching License of Melissa L.
18 Skoczylas for a period of sixty (60) days effective November 3, 2006. At the end of the
19 suspension period Ms. Skoczylas may apply for reinstatement of Iicensure by submitting a
20 complete application pursuant to OAR 584-050-0015(3) together with supporting documents
21 and fees.
haw/wax)
22 Issued and dated this ['2 day of November, 2006.
23 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
24 STATE OF OREGON
25
26 B - MU
27 Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director
28 Appr as orm:
29
30 m S. Arms, OSB#01018
‘1 Attorney for Melissa L Skoczylas 11101061
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF SUSPENSION — SKOCZYLAS