. BEFORE THE TEACHERS STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the Matter of the STIPULATION AND ORDER OF
Teaching License of REPRIMAND
ROBERT E. PHILLIPS
On or about June l6, 2000, the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission
(Commission) received a report from Craig Roessler, Superintendent of Silver Falls School
District. The report alleged that Robert E. Phillips, a Licensed Educator, engaged in sexually
explicit conversations with student members of the high school baseball team he coached during
the 1999-2000 school year. Mr. Phillips fully cooperated with the Commission’s investigation
and did not contest the allegation.

. After a review of the matters alleged, Mr. Phillips and the Commission have agreed that
their respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
certain facts and the imposition of a Reprimand and Probation of four (4) years. This Order sets
forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to be imposed. In entering
into this stipulation, Mr. Phillips waives his right to a hearing to contest the findings of fact,
conclusion of law and order set forth below.

STIPULATED FACTS
l. Mr. Phillips holds a Standard Oregon Teaching License with endorsements in Standard
Elementary, Standard Advance Mathematics, and Standard Biology. The license is valid
from September ll, 1997 to September 25, 2002. Mr. Phillips was employed as a math
teacher and coach in the Silver Falls School District since the 1996-97 school year. Mr.
’ Phillips has a positive record with the Silver Falls School District.
Page l - STIPULATION AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND — ROBERT E. PHILLIPS

. 2. During the 1999-2000 school year, Mr. Phillips taught math at Silverton High School and
coached the varsity boys baseball team.

3. On occasions during the baseball season, Mr. Phillips communicated with male students
on the baseball team about personal sexual experiences and other matters of a sexual
nature. On many of these occasions, Mr. Phillips inappropriately engaged in or
responded to communications initiated by one or more student members of the baseball
team. The investigation confirmed that Mr. Phillips’ sexually explicit conversations were
limited to his duties as a baseball coach.

4. This inappropriate communication concerned only Mr. Phillips’ baseball coaching duties.
The investigation confirmed that there is no evidence that Mr. Phillips engaged in similar
behavior while acting solely in the capacity as a classroom teacher. Mr. Phillips’ sexually

' explicit conversations did not reference any female student.

5. Mr. Phillips now realizes his sexually explicit conversations with student members of the
baseball team were not appropriate and has expressed remorse for so doing.

6. Mr. Phillips has undergone counseling with Nancy Huppertz concerning the issues
underlying the alleged misconduct and has completed the program of counseling.

ULTIMATE FINDING OF FACT

Mr. Phillips engaged in sexually explicit conversations with male student members of the

baseball team.
CONCLUSION OF LAW

Mr. Phillips’ activities in this matter constituted gross neglect of duty in violation of OAR

584-020-0040 and 584-020-0040(i).
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Page 2 - STIPULATION AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND — ROBERT E. PHILLIPS

. Mr. Phillips enters into this agreement with knowledge that the Commission will issue a
reprimand and require compliance with Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance. This
stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the Commission. If the
Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Phillips nor the Commission are bound by
these Stipulations and Mr. Phillips retains all rights to a hearing on the allegations.

It is so stipulated:

. r / “A1569

W Date

//' .
fiMéZQiiv-i /02%5fpfi
David V. Myton, Exe utive Director Date
ORDER

. The Commission hereby Reprimands Robert E. Phillips for engaging in the conduct
identified in the Stipulation of Facts. In addition, Mr. Phillips will be placed on probation for a
period of four (4) years. The terms of the probation are as follows:

l. Mr. Phillips shall comply with all Commission requirements, including but not limited to
those articulated in OAR 584, Division 20 - the Standards for Competent and Ethical
Performance of Oregon Educators.

2. Mr. Phillips will notify the Commission’s Executive Director of any change in
employment as a licensed teacher in this state or elsewhere and any discipline or
investigation occurring while he is employed as a teacher during the period of his
probation.

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Page 3 - STIPULATION AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND — ROBERT E. PHILLIPS

. 3. Mr. Phillips will provide to the Commission such information as required by OAR 584-
050-0015(2)(a) verifying that he has complied with the conditions of probation, including
a statement from his employing district that he has complied with the Standards of
Competent and Ethical Performance.
4. Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for the
Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Mr. Phillips’
Teaching License and subject Mr. Phillips’ right to a hearing on the issue of whether he
violated probation.
ll. ,
IT IS SO ORDERED this i day of 4 ‘MA , 2000.
Q ' , a] w
By: , M L
David V. Myton, Executive Director
. Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
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