BEFORE TI-[E TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the Matter of the )
Teaching License of ) SURRENDER OF TEACHING
) LICENSE, STIPULATION AND
RONALD BETCHTEL ) ORDER
)

On June 22, 2000, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission)
issued a notice of opportunity for hearing to Ronald Betchtel in which the Commission
proposed to suspend or revoke the teaching license of Mr. Betchtel or otherwise impose
discipline under ORS 342.177, based on the alleged misconduct identified in the notice.
On June 21, 2000, the Commission issued an amended notice of hearing. Mr. Betchtel
requested a hearing. The Commission and Mr. Betchtel have now reviewed the matters
alleged in the Notice and have agreed that their respective interests together with the public
interest are best served by a surrender of Mr. Betchtel’s Oregon teaching license and a
stipulation to certain facts. In entering this stipulation, Mr. Betchtel waives his right to a
hearing and understands that the Commission will accept the surrender of his teaching
license and revoke the teaching license.

‘ STIPULATED FACTS

Mr. Betchtel and the Commission stipulate as follows:

1. Mr. Betchtel holds a standard teacher license with endorsements in basic
biology and standard hearing impaired. He was employed as a teacher at the Oregon
School for the Deaf from September 1978 to March 22, 1999, when he resigned his
position with the school.

2. Beginning on or about November l3, 1998, and continuing until about
March 20, 1999, Mr. Betchtel developed a personal and sexual relationship with a female
high school student at the School for the Deaf. The sexual contact included kissing,
fondling of the breast and genital area and oral sexual contact. Most of the sexual contact
occurred in Mr. Betchte1’s car.

3. In March 1999, the student’s parent reported this conduct to the School for
the Deaf. When confronted by school officials, Mr. Betchtel admitted to his relationship
with the student.

4. In August 1999, the Marion County District Attorney filed charges against
Mr. Betchtel consisting of three counts of Sexual Abuse in the Third Degree and one count
of Official Misconduct in the First Degree. On September 17, 1999, Mr. Betchtel entered

\ into a plea agreement in which he entered a plea of guilty to the charge of Official
. i Misconduct in the First Degree. The other charges were dismissed. Betchtel was placed'lon
probation for a period of 6O months and was fined $560.
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. J ¥
' This stipulation is contingent on approval and adoption of the order by the
Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this order, neither Mr. Betchtel nor the
Commission are bound by these stipulations and Mr. Betchtel retains all rights to a
hearing on the allegations.
IT IS SO STIPULATED;
M l 4. Z009
Rona d Betchtel ‘ Date
R
M L i/f/ p a
David V. Myton, Executive Director —“ Date
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
CONCLUSIONS 0F LAW
l. Mr. Betchtel had sexual contact with a female student in violation of OAR
584-020-0040(4)(r).
' 2. Mr. Betchtel’s conviction for the crime of official misconduct constitutes a
violation of OAR 584-020-0040(5)(c).
Based on the foregoing, the Commission accepts the surrender of the teaching
license of Ronald Betchtel and revokes Mr. Betchtel’s Oregon Teaching License.
’” I
It is so ordered this lg day oE-léf 000.
TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
‘ to,
By: _~_ .
David V. Myton, Exec tive Director
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