r _ f
‘ BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF OREGON

In the Matter of the )

Teaching License of ) DEFAULT ORDER

KENNETH D. DUNHAM j SUSPENDING LICENSE

)

On or about November l7, 1997, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission received a

complaint from Mary Ann Miesner, Chairperson of the La Grande School District Board of

Directors, indicating that Kenneth D. Dunham had violated his contract by failing to provide 60

days written notice prior to resignation. Under OAR 584-50-020, the Commission informs the

educator of intent to suspend the license on the basis of such complaints. The Executive

Director took action to notify Kenneth Dunham of intent to suspend his license, and to inform

Mr. Dunham of his opportunity for hearing by letter dated, November 26, 1997. The letter was

sent by Certified Mail-Retum Receipt Requested #P 196 850 170. The receipt was signed by

Barbara Dunham on December l, 1997 and returned to TSPC. Mr. Dunham did not request a

hearing.

FINDINGS OF FACT

l. On or about October 3, 1997, Kenneth D. Dunham signed an contract with the La
Grande School District for the 1997-98 school year.

2. On October 28, 1997 , Dunham submitted a letter of resignation and gave the La
Grande School District two weeks’ notice of his intent to resign his position as a
Computer/Publications teacher at La Grande Middle School.

3. Meeting in regular session on November 12, 1997, the La Grande School Board of
Directors took action to seek a suspension of Dunham's teaching license for the balance
of the 1997-98 school year and accept his resignation.

4. The La Grande School District informed TSPC of this action in a letter dated November
l7, 1997, requesting the suspension of Dunham’s teaching license.

ULTIMATE FINDINGS OF FACT

Kenneth D. Dunham signed an employment contract with the La Grande School District on

October 3, 1997. He submitted a letter of resignation, dated October 28, 1997, effective

November l l, 1997.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

ORS 342.553 requires the suspension of a license for the balance of the school year for failure

to provide 60 days’ notice prior to resignation. If the charge of the contract violation is proven,

and justification for the contract violation is not satisfactory, the Commission is required to
suspend the license for the remainder of the school year. The Commission's decision is final.
‘. ,r ' PAGE l--PROPOSED ORDER-KENNETH D. DUNHAM

ORDER
The Commission suspends the Oregon Standard Teaching License #283861 for the balance of
the 1997 -98 school year, issued to Kenneth D. Dunaham, ', for violation of
contract by resignation without providing 60 days’ written notice.
Dated this / 5 day of [(1 Bk , 1998.
TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
By: l g l g i i
David V. Myton, Exec tive Director
DVM/cs
ACTION OF THE COMMISSION TO SUSPEND LICENSES FOR CONTRACT VIOLATION S
UNDER ORS 342.553 ARE FINAL AND MAY NOT BE APPEALED.
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
I hereby certify that I served the foregoing order by mailing a true copy thereof certified by me
as such by regular U.S. mail and by U.S. Certified Mail with Return Receipt Requested to:
Kenneth D. Dunham
14491 Lake Wildwood Drive
Penn Valley, CA 95946
Dated this /f - day of 2"‘ 2/2444 g , 1998.
13va
C arlene A. Smith
Secretary to the Commission
! , PAGE 2--PROPOSED ORDER—KENNETH D. DUNHAM