1647424 Robert Petterson (59158) Discipline Order i 1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION 2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON 3 4 In the Matter 0f the Educator ) DEFAULT ORDER OF 5 License of ) REVOCATION OF 6 ROBERT EDWARD PET'TERSON ) LICENSURE 7 8 9 On March 18, 2015, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission) 10 issued a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing t0 Robert Edward Petterson (Petterson) in which ll the Commission charged him with Gross Neglect 0f Duty. The Notice was sent via U.S. First 12 Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail Receipt 7014 0150 0000 1046 5659 to the address on file 13 with the Commission. The Notice designated the Commission file as the record for purposes 14 of proving a prima facie case. The Certified Mail receipt was returned signed to the 15 Commission on 03,27,2015. The first class mail was not returned and is assumed delivered. 16 The Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, dated March 18, 2015, and signed by Victoria 17 Chamberlain, Executive Director, stated: l8 “IF A REQUEST FOR HEARING IS NOT RECEIVED WITHIN THIS 21-DAY l9 PERIOD, YOUR RIGHT TO A HEARING SHALL BE CONSIDERED WAIVED 20 UNLESS YOUR FAILURE TO REQUEST A HEARING WAS BEYOND YOUR 21 REASONABLE CONTROL. IF YOU DO NOT REQUEST A HEARING OR IF YOU 22 FAIL TO APPEAR AT A HEARING, THE COMMISSION WILL ADOPT AN ORDER 23 OF DEFAULT WHICH MAY INCLUDE THE REVOCATION OR SUSPENSION OF 24 YOUR LICENSE OR OTHER DISCIPLINE” 25 ‘ 26 Petterson did not request a hearing. The Commission, therefore, finds Petterson to be in i 27 default and enters the following findings 0f fact, conclusions of law, and final order, based 28 on the files and records of the Commission concerning this matter. 29 FINDINGS OF FACT 30 1. Petterson has been licensed as a teacher in Oregon since June 3, 1980. Petterson’s 3l Standard Teaching License, with endorsements in Basic Elementary (016) and Standard 32 Physical Education (018), is valid from September 4, 2012, through September 3, 2017. 33 During all relevant times, Petterson was employed by the South Umpqua School District. 34 2. On June 27, 2014, the Commission received a report from the superintendent of the 35 South Umpqua School District indicating that Petterson had violated professional 36 standards. School district investigation determined Petterson engaged inappropriate 37 physical contact with a student that caused the student injury (discoloration). PAGE 1—DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- ROBERT EDWARD PETTERSON l 3. Commission investigation determined that on or about May 12, 2014, while on the 2 school playground with students, Petterson attempted to redirect a student who was 3 ignoring the direction of another teacher. Petterson physically picked up the student, 4 moved him back to the playground and forcibly sat him on a bench. Investigators 5 determined that Petterson’s use of force was unnecessary and excessive and caused 6 the student’s arms to redden. 7 4. The Commission investigation determined Petterson has established a pattern of 8 inappropriate communications with students and patrons. On or about March 4, 9 2011, Petterson observed a student drilling holes in a work bench. Petterson 10 addressed the studentwith “What the fuck are you doing?!” On or about September l 1 2013, Petterson was counseled about using the term “Pussy” towards students to l2 describe their inability to perform physical tasks or who displayed physical 1 13 weakness. Petterson was also advised not to employ physical forms of punishment, i 14 forcing students to run laps or perform pushups. On or about October 2013, 15 Petterson told a parent that “Your ‘Give a shit meter’ was running on empty”. On or 16 about November 2013, Petterson again used the term “Pussy” t0 describe a students 17 poor effort or ability and directed the student to perform pushups. On or about l8 December 2013, Petterson was reprimanded for throwing a chair and his keys in a 19 moment of anger during class and in the presence of students. Interviewed students 20 advised that Petterson continues to use disparaging terms like “Pussy” towards 21 students. 22 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 23 Petterson’s conduct described above, constitutes gross neglect of duty in violation of 24 ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020- 25 0020(0010(1)( Recognize the worth and dignity ofall persons and respectfor each 26 individual), OAR 584-020-0010(5) (Use professionaljudgment), OAR 584-020- 27 oo2o(2)(d)(Skill in the supervision of students), OAR 584-020-0030(2)(b) (Skill in 28 communicating with administrators, students, stafl, parents, and other patrons), OAR 29 584-020-0025(2)(e)(Using district lawful and reasonable rules and regulations); and OAR 3O 584-020-oo4o(4)(d) (Unreasonable physicalforce against students, fellow employees, or 31 visitors to the school, except as permitted under ORS 339.250). PAGE 2-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LlCENSURE- ROBERT EDWARD PETTERSON l The Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon 2 ORS 342.175. 3 FINAL ORDER 4 The Commission hereby revokes Robert Edward Petterson’s educator license. 1,, 5 IT IS SO ORDERED THIS ‘Q ) i ‘day Of May, 2015. 6 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION MW/ ' 7 By: ____— 8 Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director 9 l IO NOTICE OF APPEAL OR RIGHTS 11 12 YOU ARE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW l3 MAY BE OBTAINED BY FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW WITHIN 6O DAYS FROM I4 THE SERVICE OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW IS PURSUANT TO THE 15 PROVISIONS OF ORS 183.482 TO THE OREGON COURT OF APPEALS. PAGE 3-DEFAULT ORDER 0F REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- ROBERT EDWARD PETTERSON l CERTIFICATE OF MAILING I hereby certify that I 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: Robert Edward Petterson 179 Mountain View Avenue Myrtle Creek, OR 97457-9720 1 t, Dated this QC‘ day of May, 2015. /. A‘. ¢ . ‘ t By: I fyzz: .,. a’ “LL/C/ " Patty 1 ll Investigative Assistant PAGE 1- CERTIFICATE OF MAILING— ROBERT EDWARD PETTERSON