1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3

4 In the Matter of the )

5 Teaching License of ) DEFAULT ORDER OF

6 BEVERLY JOAN PARSONS ) PUBLIC REPRIMAND

7

8

9 On March 18, 2010, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
10 (Commission) issued a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Beverly Joan Parsons
11 (Parsons) in which the Commission charged her with Gross Neglect of Duty pursuant to
12 OAR 584-020-0040(4)(a), OAR 584-020-0035(2)(e), ORR 584-020-0035(3)(a) and OAR
13 584-020-0010(5). The Notice was sent via U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certiﬁed Mail
14 Receipt 7009 1410 0002 1925 4614 to the address on ﬁle with the Commission. The
15 Notice was signed for by Ms. Parsons on March 19, 2010. The Notice of Opportunity of
16 Hearing, dated March 18, 2010, and signed by Victoria Chamberlain, Executive

17 Director, stated:

18 “IF A REQUEST FOR HEARING IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN THIS 21-DAY

19 PERIOD, YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING SHALL BE CONSIDERED WAIVED
20 UNLESS YOUR FAILURE TO REQUEST A HEARING WAS BEYOND YOUR
21 REASONABLE CONTROL. lF YOU DO NOT REQUEST A HEARING OR IF
22 YOU FAIL TO APPEAR AT A HEARING, THE COMMISSION WILL ADOPT AN
23 ORDER OF DEFAULT WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE REVOCATION OR
24 SUSPENSION OF YOUR LICENSE OR OTHER DISCIPLINE."
25
26 Ms. Parsons did not request a hearing. The Commission, therefore, finds Ms. Parsons
27 to be in default and enters the following findings of fact, conclusions of law and order,
28 based on the files and records of the Commission concerning this matter.
29 FINDINGS 0F FACT
30 1. The Commission has licensed Parsons as an educator in Oregon since July 29, 1991.
31 Her current Standard Administrative License and Standard Teaching License, both
32 issued December 15, 2004, expired on January 18, 2010.

33

PAGE 1-DEFAULT ORDER OF PUBLIC REPRIMAND - BEVERLY JOAN PARSONS

1 2. During all relevant times Parsons was employed by the South Umpqua School District
2 as the Superintendent.
3 3. On April 27 and 30, 2007, Ms. Parsons sent an email from her school district computer
4 to district staff, during work hours, in support of and in opposition to candidates for
5 school district board positions. The April 27 email contained speciﬁc instructions to
6 public employees who were her subordinates t0 contribute ﬁnancially to campaigns.
7 ORS 260.432 prohibits public employees from promoting or opposing a candidate while
8 on the job during working hours or in their official capacity, and forbids any persons from
9 attempting to or actually requiring public employees to support or oppose a candidate.
10 In December 2007, the Oregon Secretary of State found that Ms. Parsons’ actions
11 violated Oregon election laws and imposed a $250 fine for the conduct.
12 4. Sending such email violated Oregon law, specifically ORS 260.432(2) and ORS
13 260.432(1).
14 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
15 Ms. Parsons’ use of school district computers and work time in furtherance of a political
16 activity constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-
17 0040(4)(a) (Knowing and substantial unauthorized use of: school name or ﬁnancial credit;
18 school materials or equipment for personal purposes; or school personnel to provide
19 personal services unrelated to school business) and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o) as it
20 incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(2)(e) (Not use the district's or school's name, property, or
21 resources for noneducational beneﬁt or purposes without approval of the educator's
22 supervisor or the appointing authority) and OAR 584-020-0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of
23 the profession by respecting and obeying the law, exemplifying personal integrity and
24 honesty). The Commission's authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
25 ORS 342.175.
26 / //
27 // /
28 ///
29 / / /
30 // /
PAGE 2-DEFAULT ORDER or PUBLIC REPRIMAND - BEVERLY JOAN PARSONS

1 FINAL ORDER

2 The Commission hereby imposes a Reprimand on the licensure of Beverly Joan

3 Parsons.

/‘ ﬂz/

4 IT IS SO ORDERED THIS ("4/ day of May, 2010.

5 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION

6 I

7

8 By; M

9 Victoria in, Executive Director
10
11
12
13
14 NOTICE OF APPEAL OR RIGHTS
15

16 YOU ARE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW MAY
17 BE OBTAINED BY FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW WITHIN 60 DAYS FROM THE
18 SERVICE OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW IS PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS
19 OF ORS 183.482 TO THE OREGON COURT OF APPEALS.
20

PAGE 3-DEFAULT ORDER OF LICENSE REVOCATION - BEVERLY JOAN PARSONS

CERTIFICATE OF MAILING I
I hereby certify that l served the foregoing notice of ﬁnal order, certiﬁed by me as such, by
mailing U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certiﬁed Mail-Return Receipt Requested, addressed
to:
' Beverly Joan Parsons
PO Box 1226
Roseburg OR 97470
' 4L
Dated this W day of July, 2010.
/ / .
By: 77/’2 11¢ /_ v. Av}! 111/ /
Me cdy Ha ,
Ex cutive ‘ stant
PAGE 1— CERTIFICATE OF MAILING—BEVERLY JOAN PARSONS