‘ ,
‘ l BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF OREGON
2 In the Matter Of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS
3 Teaching License of ) AND ORDER OF PROBATION
4 JUDITH (HESTIKIND) WEBB )
5 On or about September 25, 1997, the Teacher Standards and
6 Practices Commission (Commission) issued a Notice of Opportunity
7 for hearing to Judith Hestikind Webb (Webb) in which the
8 Commission proposed to suspend or revoke her Oregon teaching
9 license or to impose other discipline under ORS 342.177. The
10 basis for the proposed action was Webb's failure to report to
11 work on or about October 21, 1996, and for a significant time
12 thereafter; her theft of over $4,000 from Dotty's Deli where she
13 worked part time; and her planned and executed suicide attempt.
:14 The Commission and Webb have now reviewed the matters
15 alleged and have agreed that their respective interests together
16 with the public interest, are best served by entering into an
17 agreement and order that suspends Webb's license for nine months
18 with conditions for restoration and probation. This agreement
19 and Order is based upon the following Stipulation of Facts. In
20 entering this Stipulation, Webb waives her right to a hearing.
21 This agreement sets forth the facts upon which the parties have
22 agreed including the Commission's order of suspension and
23 probation as set forth below.
24 FINDINGS OF FACT
25 Webb agrees and stipulates that evidence in the record
26 exists to support the following Findings of Fact by the Commission.
'PAGE 1 —STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF PROBATION
1

x
‘ 1 1. On or about October 21, 1996, Webb abandoned her school
2 work without notice and without taking steps to assure that the
3 needs of the school and students would be met. She contacted the
or—alsotfi- 95a<Qf
4 school district's EAP therapist onAOctobefiagj, 1996, but did not
5 contact district administration directly? until on or about
6 November 12, 1996. Her absence was investigated by the police
7 due the suspicious nature of her disappearance.
8 2. On or about October 20, 1996, Webb stole approximately
9 $4,200 from Dotty's Deli where she worked part-time. Webb
10 entered into a civil compromise, repaid the money and no criminal
11 charges were filed.
12 3. Webb used the money taken from Dotty's Deli to fly to
13 Las Vegas to execute a suicide plan. On or about October 23,
:14 1996, she attempted suicide.
15 4. Webb's actions resulted in media coverage that would
16 raise questions in the mind of a reasonable person about Webb's
17 suitability to teach.
18 5. Webb has been under a physician's care since the
19 October 1996 incidents described above. She was on approved
20 disability and/or sick leave for the remainder of the 1996-97
21 school year. According to her physician, Webb had progressed to
22 a point where she was released to teach for the 1997-98 school
23 year.
24 6. Upon receipt of Webb's request to return to teaching,
25 the district commenced pre-termination proceedings. Thereafter,
26 Webb resigned, with an effective date of October 21, 1997.
'PAGE 2 -STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF PROBATION

‘ 1 7. This Stipulation and the Proposed Order are contingent
2 upon approval by the full Commission. If the Commission does not
3 approve this Stipulation, the matter will be returned to the
4 Commission for a hearing or other lawful action.
5 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
6 Webb's actions as set forth above constitute a violation of
7 OAR 584-20-040(4), gross neglect of duty; and OAR 584-20-040(5),
8 gross unfitness.
9 IT IS SO STIPULATED: 1
lO I
winks; Date itin____
ll Judith W b
13 my ./,_,- Date: '5%/////7T
David V. Myton, E cutive Director
‘14 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
15 ORDER ,
16 The Commission adopts the above Findings of Fact and
17 suspends the teaching license of Webb for nine months beginning
18 on November 1, 1997 and ending July 31, 1998. Webb's license
19 will thereafter be reinstated subject to all ordinary conditions
20 and with the further special condition that she provide written
21 evidence from her physician or health care provider, that she is
22 able to resume teaching responsibilities.
23 Webb is further subject to a period of probation for two
24 years commencing on July 31, 1998. During this probationary
25 period, Webb must provide TSPC with written notice on a quarterly
26 basis commencing November 1, 1998, that she is maintaining
'PAGE 3 —STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF PROBATION

i
‘ 1 compliance with the treatment plan of her mental health care
2 provider to the extent such treatment is recommended. She must
3 also permit the Commission to contact her mental health care
4 provider solely to verify such compliance.
5 Failure to comply with the terms of this Order will
6 constitute separate grounds for taking licensure action.
7 DATED this [ff day of r/l/ll 4W 1998.
8 , % l
( .
9 W/f / M
David V. Myton, Executive Director
10 _
11 Date: 2 274i it [64 Z¢¢Q __
12
. 13 APPROVED AS TO FORM:
0“
15 // ~51. PM Am“, A,
Eliza Joffe ‘air
16 Attorney for Judith (Hestikind) Webb
l7
Date: (it " Z! ’ 2 g .
18 '
19 \ F/g /‘ Z
' ' , » C16
20 Gary M‘. Co dy .
Attorney or Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
21
22 Date: i , ZO " 618,
23
24
25
26 tjh/GMC/JGGllAAB
'PAGE 4 —STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF PROBATION i