1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
' . OF THE STATE OF OREGON

3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,

4 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF SUSPENSION

5 ELISABET FLORES ) AND PROBATION

6 On or about January 26, 2006, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

7 (Commission) received a report from Mark Burrows, Superintendent, Morrow County School

8 District indicating that Elisabet Flores (Flores) was arrested while attempting to cross the United

9 States/Mexican border at Hidalgo port of entry attempting to smuggle three Mexican Nationals,
10 who were her relatives, into the United States from Mexico.
1 1 Elisabet Flores fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After review of the
12 matters alleged, Ms. Flores and the Commission agree that their respective interests, together
13 with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts and the imposition of a
14 ninety (90) day suspension of licensure followed by a three (3) year period of probation upon

. reinstatement of licensure.
16 This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to
17 be imposed. Ms. Flores stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in the Commission’s
18 files and records to support the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth below. ln
19 entering into this stipulation, Ms. Flores waives the right to a hearing to contest the findings of
20 fact, conclusions of law and order set forth below. Ms. Flores understands that the probation
21 will be subject to specific conditions.
22 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the
23 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Ms. Flores nor the
24 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Ms. Flores retains all rights to a hearing on
25 the allegations.
I
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION — FLORES

1 STIPULATION OF FACTS
'. 1. Ms. Flores holds a Restricted Transitional Teaching License with a Multiple Subjects
3 Self-Contained ECE, ELE Endorsement issued August 25, 2005, valid through August 25, 2008.
4 2. Ms. Flores began teaching for Morrow County School District on August 25, 2005.
5 3. During the 2005 Christmas break Ms. Flores was arrested on felony charges by
6 United States Border Protection Officers while attempting to cross the United States/Mexican
7 border at Hidalgo port of entry attempting to smuggle three Mexican Nationals into the United
8 States from Mexico.
9 4. The three Mexican Nationals were relatives of Ms. Flores. They were children of
1O Ms. Flores‘ cousin. While Ms. Flores was in Mexico to visit relations, Ms. Flores’ cousin's wife
11 pleaded with Ms. Flores to bring the children to the United States to visit their father for the
12 holidays. Ms. Flores agreed to do so on the spur of the moment; the transportation of the
13 children was not premeditated or planned ahead of time. During the stop at the border and
. during court proceedings, Ms. Flores fully cooperated with the authorities and accepted
15 responsibility for her actions.
16 5. On January 20, 2006, Ms. Flores was arraigned and the charges were reduced to
17 misdemeanor charges of Aiding and Abetting and Alien Smuggling in the Federal District Court
18 where she received bench probation to the Federal Magistrate.
19 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
20 E A W 5’ l , O (0
21 Elis t Flores < Date
22 MM 572w
23 ictoria berlain, Executive Director Date
24 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
25 CONCLUSION OF LAW
26 Elisabet Flores’ criminal conviction and criminal conduct constitute Gross Unfitness as
27 defined in OAR 584-020-0040(5)(c) and OAR 584-020-0040(5)(e). Criminal convictions and
' criminal conduct, even in the absence of conviction, may be used as evidence to establish an
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - FLORES

1 applicant's lack of fitness to serve as an educator pursuant to OAR 584-050-0006. The
' Commission’s authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.143 and
3 ORS 342.175.
4 ORDER
5 Elisabet Flores’ Restricted Transitional Teaching License is suspended for a period of
6 ninety (90) days effective on May 12, 2006. At the end of this suspension period, Ms. Flores’
7 Restricted Transitional Teaching License may be reinstated upon submission of a complete
8 application and fees pursuant to OAR 584-050-0015(3).
9 Upon the reinstatement of licensure, Ms. Flores shall be placed on probation by the
10 Commission for a period of three (3) years, subject to the following conditions:
11 1. Ms. Flores shall comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of
12 Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 584, Division 020; and
13 2. Ms. Flores shall provide information as requested by the Commission to verify that
‘ she has complied with the conditions of probation, including a statement from a future
15 employing district that she has complied with the Standards for Competent and Ethical
16 Performance of Oregon Educators.
17 Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for the
18 Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Ms. Flores’ teaching license
19 subject to Ms. Flores‘ right to a hearing on the issue of whether she violated probation.
20 IT is so ORDERED this is’ day of May, 2006.
21 TEAC ANDARD A D PRACTICES COMMISSION
22 Byzt 2% é [2%,ij ZM/
23 Victoria Cham ' ,‘Executive Director
/
25
26
27 Adam S. Arms, OSB#01018
. Attorney for Elisabet Flores [042606]
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - FLORES