l BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3
4 In the Matter of the Educator ) DEFAULT ORDER OF
5 License of ) REVOCATION OF RIGHT
j 6 LESTER WRIGHT MCCORMICK ) TO APPLY FOR LICENSURE
‘ 7
8
9 On January 3, 2017, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission) issued
10 a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Lester Wright McCormick (McCormick) in which the
l 1 Commission charged him with Gross Neglect 0f Duty and Gross Unfitness. The Notice was sent via
12 U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail Receipt 7016 0750 0000 2419 0709 to the address on
13 file with the Commission. The Notice designated the Commission file as the record for purposes of
l4 proving a prima facie case. The Certified Mail receipt was returned signed to the Commission on
15 January 23, 2017. The first class mail was not returned t0 the Commission and presumed delivered.
l6 The Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, dated January 3, 2017, and signed by Monica Beane,
l7 Executive Director, stated:
18 “IF A REQUEST FOR HEARING IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN THIS 21-DAY PERIOD,
19 YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING SHALL BE CONSIDERED WAIVED UNLESS YOUR
20 FAILURE TO REQUEST A HEARING WAS BEYOND YOUR REASONABLE CONTROL. IF
21 YOU DO NOT REQUEST A HEARING OR IF YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT A HEARING, THE -
22 COMMISSION \NILL ADOPT AN ORDER OF DEFAULT WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE
23 REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE OR OTHER DISCIPLINE.”
24
25 McCormick did not request a hearing. On January 18, 2017, the Commission received a fax
26 from McCormick’s attorney, David Leroy, advising that McCormick elected not to have a hearing and
27 was permitting the revocation of his right t0 apply for licensure without admitting t0 Gross Neglect
28 of Duty 0r Goss Unfitness. The Commission, therefore, finds McCormick t0 be in default and enters
29 the following findings of fact, conclusions 0f law, and final order, based on the files and records of
30 the Commission concerning this matter.
> 31
32 FINDINGS OF FACT
33 1. McCormick has been licensed by the Commission since June 23, 1999. McCormick held an
34 Initial Administrator License, with an endorsement in Administrator (ALL LVL), valid from
35 June 30, 2013, through June 29, 2016. McCormick did not make application for renewal.
36 During all relevant times, McCormick was employed by the Council School District in Idaho.
37 2. On November 23, 2015, the Commission received a complaint indicating McCormick may
38 have committed acts which constitute gross neglect of duty, specifically, the use of falsified
39 credentials in his application to the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) for a “Class
PAGE 1-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPY FOR LlCENSURE- LESTER WRIGHT
MCCORMICK

l 5” administrator license. McCormick’s application for a Montana Class 5 license was denied.

2 On May 13, 2016, the State of Montana OPI revoked McCormick’s Class 1 (Teaching) and

3 Class 3 (Principal) licenses for Immoral Conduct based on McCormick’s fraudulent

4 application. Investigation determined that McCormick had presented, as part of his

5 application for the Montana Class 5 licensure, a forged recommendation letter purporting to

6 have come from Lewis and Clark College.

7

8 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

9 Lester Wright McCormick engaged in unprofessional conduct as described in section two (2)
10 above. McCormick’s conduct constitutes gross neglect 0f duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b);
l I OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment);
12 OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of the
l3 profession by respecting and obeying the law, exemplifying personal integrity and honesty); and
14 OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c) (Falsification of any document or knowing misrepresentation directly
15 related to licensure, employment, or professional duties). The above conduct also constitutes gross

‘ 16 unfitness in violation of ORS 342-175(1)(c); OAR 584-020-0040(5)(a) (Revocation, suspension or
17 denial of a license by another state for reasons and through procedures that are the same as, or
l8 substantially equivalent to, those permitting similar action in Oregon), and OAR 584-020-
19 0040(5)(b)(Fraud or misrepresentation).
20
21 The Commission’s authority t0 impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
22
23 FINAL ORDER
24 The Commission hereby revokes Lester Wright McCormick’s right to apply for licensure in
25 Oregon. .HA
26 IT IS SO ORDERED THIS i day of February, 2017.
27 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
28 0 I
29 By: 7 a 7M % w
30 Dr. Monica Beane, Executive Director
31
32
PAGE 2-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPY FOR LICENSURE- LESTER WRIGHT
MCCORMICK

1 NOTICE OF APPEAL OR RIGHTS
2
3 YOU ARE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW MAY BE
4 OBTAINED BY FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM THE SERVICE OF
5 THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW IS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF ORS 183.482 TO
6 THE OREGON COURT OF APPEALS.
PAGE 3-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPY FOR LICENSURE- LESTER WRIGHT
MCCORMICK

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
I hereby certify that I served the foregoing Default Order of Revocation 0f Right to Apply for Licensure,
certified by me as such, by mailing U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail-Return Receipt
Requested, addressed t0:
Lester Wright McCormick
PO Box 198
Council, ID 83612
Dated this 02.7 ' day of February, 2017.
By:
Pa eldon
Investigative Assistant
PAGE 1- CERTIFICATE OF MAILING— LESTER WRIGHT MCCORMICK