l BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION 2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON 3 4 In the Matter of the Educator License ) DEFAULT ORDER OF 5 0f ) REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPLY 6 CYNTHIA VIOLA HARRIS ) FOR AN EDUCATOR LICENSE 7 8 9 On December 20, 2012, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission 10 (Commission) issued a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Cynthia Viola Harris (Harris) 1 1 in which the Commission charged her with Gross Neglect 0f Duty. The Notice was sent via 12 U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail Receipt 7011 2000 0001 1292 0011 to the 13 address on file with the Commission. The Notice designated the Commission file as the l4 record for purposes of proving a prima facie case. The Certified Mail receipt was returned 15 signed, to the Commission on December 24, 2012. The regular mail was not returned t0 the 16 Commission. The Notice of Opportunity of Hearing, dated December 20, 2012, and signed l7 by Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director, stated: 18 “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.” r 25 I 26 On December 31, 2012, Harris requested a hearing. On March 12, 2013, the Commission i 27 filed a hearing request with the Office of Administrative Hearings. On June 11, 2013, parties 28 participated in a prehearing conference. A contested case hearing was set for October 15-16, 29 2013, at 9:00 a.m. at the OAH office in Tualatin Oregon. On September 10, 2013 the OAH 30 received written notice that Harris was withdrawing her hearing request and was no longer 31 contesting the case against her. 32 Based on Ms. Harris’s withdrawal from the hearings process, the Commission finds her in 33 default and enters the following order based on the records and files 0f the Commission in 34 this matter. 35 36 37 PAGE 1-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA 1 FINDINGS OF FACT 2 1. Cynthia Viola Harris has been licensed as a teacher in Oregon since October 24, 2006. 3 Harris’s Emergency Administrator Teaching License, with an endorsement in 4 Administrator (ALL LVL), was issued on October 24, 2009, and expired on July 31, 5 2010. Harris made application for renewal on August 9, 2010 and her application was 1 6 deemed incomplete. During all relevant times, Harris was employed by the Portland i 7 Public School District. . 9 2. On May 21, 2010, the Commission received a report from the Portland Public School 10 District indicating reason to believe Harris was in violation of professional standards and i 11 practices related to the mismanagement of school funds. The notice indicated that on 12 May 18, 2010, Harris was placed on administrative leave while the school district 13 investigation was conducted. On August 9, 2010, Harris signed and submitted a C-1 14 application to the Commission for licensure. Harris answered “No” to all the character 15 questions as part of the application. Harris made a false statement on the character 16 question section of her application, specifically question number two (#2), “Are you 17 currently the subject of an inquiry, review 0r investigation for alleged misconduct or 18 alleged violation of professional standards of conduct?” Harris also made a false 19 statement on character question number three (#3), “(...f0r any alleged misconduct or 20 alleged violation of professional standards of conduct been placed 0n leave by your 21 employer... )”. 22 23 3. The Commission conducted an investigation regarding additional allegations reported by 24 Portland Public Schools. The resulting investigation determined the following: 25 26 a. In February 2008, Harris was investigated by the Portland Public School 27 District for failing to follow School District Policies and Regulations related to 28 authorized spending, spending of grant funds, and the use of district issued 29 procurement cards. The investigation spanned years 2006 — 2008, and 3O determined that despite the district providing Harris with repeated training 31 and holding meetings with Harris regarding the related rules and policies, 32 Harris continually used her issued procurement card and spent grant funds in PAGE 2-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA 1 violation of district policies. The misuse of Harris’ procurement card and 2 unauthorized spending resulted in the district inactivating Harris’ 3 procurement card and entering into an agreement with Harris to repay the 4 district for unauthorized expenditures for an amount in excess of $12,000. 5 6 b. In 2010, Portland School District conducted another investigation, spanning 7 from 2008 thru 2010, regarding Harris’ continued mismanagement of school 8 funds, unauthorized expenses, mismanaged personal service contracts, and 9 questionable reimbursement practices. District and Commission 10 investigations found Harris failed to follow related School District Policies and 1 1 Regulations. Investigative findings determined Harris issued and managed 12 questionable personal service contracts; including contracting with Harris’ 13 personal friends and family members who were determined unqualified and 14 overpaid for services. Harris failed to provide adequate documentation of 15 services claimed rendered by contractors. Harris made and received 16 unauthorized and inappropriate claims for reimbursement of expenses 17 including personal purchases and expenses for Harris’ personal benefit. Harris 18 spent student body funds in violation of policy for personal purposes; 19 including Harris’ own professional development and memberships, charitable 20 donations, and other inappropriate purchases. Harris’ actions resulted in her 21 resignation by separation agreement with the district on September 29, 2011. 22 23 CONCLUSIONS 0F LAW 24 Harris’ conduct described in section two (2) constitutes gross neglect of duty in 25 violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020- 26 0010(5) (Use professional judgment), and OAR 584-02o-oo4o(4)(c) (Knowing 27 falsification of any document or knowing misrepresentation directly related to licensure, 28 employment, or professional duties). This conduct also constitute gross unfitness in 29 violation 0f ORS 342.175(1)(c); OAR 584-020-0040 (5)(b) (Fraud or misrepresentation). 3O 31 PAGE 3-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA 1 Harris’ conduct in section three “a” (3)(a), constitutes gross neglect of duty in 2 violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020- . 3 0010(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(d) (Using district and school 4 business and financial procedures), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using district lawful and 5 reasonable rules and regulations), OAR 584-020-0025(3)(a) (Leadership skills in 6 managing the school, its students, stafi’, and programs as required by lawfiil and 7 reasonable district policies, rules, and regulations, state and federal laws and regulations, 8 and other programs as assigned, and assures that stafl is informed of these requirements), 9 OAR 584-o2o-oo4o(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(2)(e) (Not use the 10 district's or school's name, property, or resources for non-educational benefit or purposes 11 without approval of the educator's supervisor 0r the appointing authority), OAR 584-020- 12 0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law, 13 exemplifying personal integrity and honesty); OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(a) (Knowing and 14 substantial unauthorized use 0f: school name or financial credit; school materials or 15 equipment for personal purposes; or school personnel to provide personal services 16 unrelated to school business); and OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(b) (Knowing and substantial l7 unauthorized use of employment time or school resources for private purposes). This 18 conduct also constitute gross unfitness in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(c); OAR 584-020- 19 0040 (5)(b) (Fraud or misrepresentation). 20 21 Harris’ conduct described in section three “b” (3)(b), constitutes gross neglect of duty 22 in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584- 23 020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(d) (Using district and 24 school business and financial procedures), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using district lawfiil 25 and reasonable rules and regulations), OAR 584-020-0025(3)(a) (Leadership skills in 26 managing the school, its students, stafl, and programs as required by lawful and 27 reasonable district policies, rules, and regulations, state and federal laws and regulations, 28 and other programs as assigned, and assures that stafiC is informed of these requirements), 29 OAR 584-020-0040(4)(0) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(2)(e) (Not use the 3O district's or school's name, property, or resources for non-educational benefit or purposes 31 without approval of the educator's supervisor or the appointing authority), and OAR 584- 32 o20-0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law, j PAGE 4-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LlCENSURE- HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA 1 exemplifying personal integrity and honesty); OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(a) (Knowing and 2 substantial unauthorized use of: school name or financial credit; school materials or 3 equipment for personal purposes; or school personnel to provide personal services 4 unrelated to school business); and OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(b) (Knowing and substantial 5 unauthorized use of employment time or school resources for private purposes). This 6 conduct also constitute gross unfitness in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(c); OAR 584-020- 7 0040 (5)(b) (Fraud or misrepresentation). 8 9 The Commissions authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175. 10 l 1 FINAL ORDER 12 The Commission hereby revokes Cynthia Viola Harris’ Right to Apply for an Educator 13 license. l4 IT IS SO ORDERED THIS [I A‘ day of November, 2013. 15 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION 16 By: 17 Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director 18 19 NOTICE OF APPEAL OR RIGHTS 20 21 YOU ARE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW 22 MAY BE OBTAINED BY FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW WITHIN 6O DAYS FROM 23 THE SERVICE OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW IS PURSUANT TO THE 24 PROVISIONS OF ORS 183.482 TO THE OREGON COURT OF APPEALS. PAGE 5-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE— HARRIs, CYNTHIA VIOLA 1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION 2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON 3 4 In the Matter of the Educator License ) DEFAULT ORDER OF 5 0f ) REVOCATION OF RIGHT TO APPLY 6 CYNTHIA VIOLA HARRIS ) FOR AN EDUCATOR LICENSE 7 8 9 On December 20, 2012, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission 10 (Commission) issued a Notice of Opportunity for Hearing to Cynthia Viola Harris (Harris) 1 1 in which the Commission charged her with Gross Neglect 0f Duty. The Notice was sent via 12 U.S. First Class Mail and U.S. Certified Mail Receipt 7011 2000 0001 1292 0011 to the 13 address on file with the Commission. The Notice designated the Commission file as the 14 record for purposes of proving a prima facie case. The Certified Mail receipt was returned 15 signed, to the Commission on December 24, 2012. The regular mail was not returned t0 the 16 Commission. The Notice of Opportunity of Hearing, dated December 20, 2012, and signed 17 by Victoria Chamberlain, Executive 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. 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.” 1 25 1 26 On December 31, 2012, Harris requested a hearing. On March 12, 2013, the Commission i 27 filed a hearing request with the Office of Administrative Hearings. On June 11, 2013, parties 28 participated in a prehearing conference. A contested case hearing was set for October 15-16, 29 2013, at 9:00 a.m. at the OAH office in Tualatin Oregon. On September 10, 2013 the OAH 30 received written notice that Harris was withdrawing her hearing request and was no longer 31 contesting the case against her. 32 Based on Ms. Harris’s withdrawal from the hearings process, the Commission finds her in 33 default and enters the following order based on the records and files 0f the Commission in 34 this matter. 35 36 37 PAGE 1-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- HARRIs, CYNTHIA VIOLA 1 FINDINGS OF FACT 2 1. Cynthia Viola Harris has been licensed as a teacher in Oregon since October 24, 2006. 3 Harris’s Emergency Administrator Teaching License, with an endorsement in 4 Administrator (ALL LVL), was issued on October 24, 2009, and expired on July 31, 5 2010. Harris made application for renewal on August 9, 2010 and her application was , 6 deemed incomplete. During all relevant times, Harris was employed by the Portland i 7 Public School District. . 9 2. On May 21, 2010, the Commission received a report from the Portland Public School 10 District indicating reason to believe Harris was in violation of professional standards and i 11 practices related to the mismanagement of school funds. The notice indicated that on 12 May 18, 2010, Harris was placed on administrative leave while the school district 13 investigation was conducted. On August 9, 2010, Harris signed and submitted a C-1 14 application to the Commission for licensure. Harris answered “No” to all the character 15 questions as part of the application. Harris made a false statement on the character 16 question section of her application, specifically question number two (#2), “Are you 17 currently the subject of an inquiry, review or investigation for alleged misconduct or 18 alleged violation of professional standards of conduct?” Harris also made a false 19 statement on character question number three (#3), “(...for any alleged misconduct or 20 alleged violation of professional standards of conduct been placed on leave by your 21 employer... )”. 22 23 3. The Commission conducted an investigation regarding additional allegations reported by 24 Portland Public Schools. The resulting investigation determined the following: 25 26 a. In February 2008, Harris was investigated by the Portland Public School 27 District for failing to follow School District Policies and Regulations related to 28 authorized spending, spending of grant funds, and the use of district issued 29 procurement cards. The investigation spanned years 2006 — 2008, and 3O determined that despite the district providing Harris with repeated training 31 and holding meetings with Harris regarding the related rules and policies, 32 Harris continually used her issued procurement card and spent grant funds in PAGE 2-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA 1 violation of district policies. The misuse of Harris’ procurement card and 2 unauthorized spending resulted in the district inactivating Harris’ 3 procurement card and entering into an agreement with Harris to repay the 4 district for unauthorized expenditures for an amount in excess of $12,000. 5 6 b. In 2010, Portland School District conducted another investigation, spanning 7 from 2008 thru 2010, regarding Harris’ continued mismanagement of school 8 funds, unauthorized expenses, mismanaged personal service contracts, and 9 questionable reimbursement practices. District and Commission 10 investigations found Harris failed to follow related School District Policies and 1 1 Regulations. Investigative findings determined Harris issued and managed 12 questionable personal service contracts; including contracting with Harris’ 13 personal friends and family members who were determined unqualified and 14 overpaid for services. Harris failed to provide adequate documentation of 15 services claimed rendered by contractors. Harris made and received l6 unauthorized and inappropriate claims for reimbursement of expenses 17 including personal purchases and expenses for Harris’ personal benefit. Harris 18 spent student body funds in violation of policy for personal purposes; 19 including Harris’ own professional development and memberships, charitable 20 donations, and other inappropriate purchases. Harris’ actions resulted in her 21 resignation by separation agreement with the district on September 29, 2011. 22 23 CONCLUSIONS 0F LAW 24 Harris’ conduct described in section two (2) constitutes gross neglect of duty in 25 violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020- 26 0010(5) (Use professional judgment), and OAR 584-02o-oo4o(4)(c) (Knowing 27 falsification of any document or knowing misrepresentation directly related to licensure, 28 employment, or professional duties). This conduct also constitute gross unfitness in 29 violation 0f ORS 342.175(1)(c); OAR 584-020-0040 (5)(b) (Fraud or misrepresentation). 3O 31 PAGE 3-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE- HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA l Harris’ conduct in section three “a” (3)(a), constitutes gross neglect of duty in 2 violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-oo4o(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584-020- . 3 0010(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(d) (Using district and school 4 business and financial procedures), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using district lawful and 5 reasonable rules and regulations), OAR 584-020-0025(3)(a) (Leadership skills in 6 managing the school, its students, stafi’, and programs as required by lawfiil and 7 reasonable district policies, rules, and regulations, state and federal laws and regulations, 8 and other programs as assigned, and assures that stafl is informed of these requirements), 9 OAR 584-o2o-oo4o(4)(o) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(2)(e) (Not use the 10 district's or school's name, property, or resources for non-educational benefit or purposes 11 without approval of the educator's supervisor 0r the appointing authority), OAR 584-020- 12 0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law, 13 exemplifying personal integrity and honesty); OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(a) (Knowing and 14 substantial unauthorized use 0f: school name or financial credit; school materials or 15 equipment for personal purposes; or school personnel to provide personal services 16 unrelated to school business); and OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(b) (Knowing and substantial l7 unauthorized use of employment time or school resources for private purposes). This 18 conduct also constitute gross unfitness in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(c); OAR 584-020- 19 0040 (5)(b) (Fraud or misrepresentation). 20 21 Harris’ conduct described in section three “b” (3)(b), constitutes gross neglect of duty 22 in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR 584- 23 020-0010(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(d) (Using district and 24 school business and financial procedures), OAR 584-020-0025(2)(e) (Using district lawfiil 25 and reasonable rules and regulations), OAR 584-020-0025(3)(a) (Leadership skills in 26 managing the school, its students, stafl, and programs as required by lawful and 27 reasonable district policies, rules, and regulations, state and federal laws and regulations, 28 and other programs as assigned, and assures that stafiC is informed of these requirements), 29 OAR 584-020-0040(4)(0) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(2)(e) (Not use the 3O district's or school's name, property, or resources for non-educational benefit or purposes 31 without approval of the educator's supervisor or the appointing authority), and OAR 584- 32 o20-0035(3)(a) (Maintain the dignity of the profession by respecting and obeying the law, j PAGE 4-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LlCENSURE- HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA l exemplifying personal integrity and honesty); OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(a) (Knowing and 2 substantial unauthorized use of: school name or financial credit; school materials or 3 equipment for personal purposes; or school personnel to provide personal services 4 unrelated to school business); and OAR 584-020-0040 (4)(b) (Knowing and substantial 5 unauthorized use of employment time or school resources for private purposes). This 6 conduct also constitute gross unfitness in violation of ORS 342.175(1)(c); OAR 584-020- 7 0040 (5)(b) (Fraud or misrepresentation). 8 9 The Commissions authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175. 10 l 1 FINAL ORDER 12 The Commission hereby revokes Cynthia Viola Harris’ Right to Apply for an Educator 13 license. l4 IT IS SO ORDERED THIS [I A‘ day of November, 2013. 15 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION 16 By: 17 Victoria Chamberlain, Executive Director 18 19 NOTICE OF APPEAL OR RIGHTS 20 21 YOU ARE ENTITLED TO JUDICIAL REVIEW OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW 22 MAY BE OBTAINED BY FILING A PETITION FOR REVIEW WITHIN 6O DAYS FROM 23 THE SERVICE OF THIS ORDER. JUDICIAL REVIEW IS PURSUANT TO THE 24 PROVISIONS OF ORS 183.482 TO THE OREGON COURT OF APPEALS. PAGE 5-DEFAULT ORDER OF REVOCATION OF LICENSURE— HARRIS, CYNTHIA VIOLA