1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
f‘ 2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,

4 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF REPRIMAND

5 Rudolfo Antonio Puente ) AND PROBATION

g )

8

9 On or about February 23, 2001, the Teacher Standards and Practices
10 Commission (Commission) received a report from Pete Craemer, Acting
11 Superintendent, St. Helens School District indicating that Rudolfo “Rudy” Antonio
12 Puente (Mr. Puente), a licensed educator, may have violated standards regarding, “...1)
13 sexual harassment and 2) a pattern of altering employment documents."
14 Mr. Puente fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After review of
15 the matters alleged, Mr. Puente and the Commission agree that their respective
I16 interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
17 facts, a public reprimand and a two (2) year period of probation. This Order sets forth
18 the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to be imposed. In
19 entering into this stipulation, Mr. Puente waives the right to a hearing to contest the
20 finding of fact, conclusion of law and order set forth below.
21 STIPULATION 0F FACTS
22 1. The Commission has continually licensed Mr. Puente since January 13, 1988,
23 he currently holds a Standard Administrative License with a Standard Administrator
24 Endorsement valid June 17, 1998 through February 11, 2004. There are no prior
25 complaints on file with the Commission.
26 2. Mr. Puente was employed by St. Helens School District beginning March 13,

' 27 1995 until his resignation January 16, 2001.
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

k i
1 3. During the 1998-99 academic year Mr. Puente failed to perform his
' 2 professional duty to conduct a second formal observation of a probationary teacher as

3 required by ORS 342.850 and district policy.
4 4. In June of 1999, in an effort to conceal his failure to perform the formal
5 observation, Mr. Puente asked the second year probationary teacher, Brian Murphy, to
6 sign a teaching evaluation observation form dated February 15, 1999, for a formal
7 evaluation Mr. Puente had not conducted. Mr. Puente signed the teaching evaluation
8 documents and placed them in the second year probationary teacher's personnel file.
9 5. Mr. Puente accepts responsibility for his behavior and acknowledges his

10 failure to conduct the evaluation and his attempt to conceal that fact was inappropriate.

11 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the

12 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Puente nor the

'13 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Puente retains all rights to a

14 hearing on the allegations.

15 IT IS SO STIPULATED:

16

17 Qé%q 4f [gig fij 812112;;

18 Rudolfo onio Puente Date

2g (QMZ flab P/J/D/

21 David V. Myton Exec tive Director Date

22 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

23 CONCLUSION OF LAW

24 Mr. Puente's actions In this matter constitute gross neglect of duty in violation of

25 OAR 584-020-0020(3)(b) and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c).

O
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

1 ORDER
. 2 The Commission imposes a Public Reprimand on Mr. Puente. This Stipulation of

3 Facts, Order of Reprimand and Probation constitutes the reprimand. Furthermore, the
4 Commission imposes a two (2) year probation upon Mr. Puente subject to the condition
5 that Mr. Puente comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance
6 under Chapter OAR 584, Division O20.
7 Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for
8 the Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Mr. Puente’s
9 teaching license subject Mr. Puente’s right to a hearing on the issue of whether he

1O violated probation.

¢4L

11 Dated this / day of September, 2001

12 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

14 By: 2 :foj Zfibflib'pd

15 David V. Myton, Execut e Director

16

17 APPROVED AS TO FORM

18 \ m P

19 M Z‘ I

20 es M. B wn OSB #67012

21 ney for ' udolfo Antonio Puente

Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION