.. I1
1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION' 5-,: i 4/0’
2 0F THE STATE OF OREGON v"
3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS AND '.
4 Educator License of ) FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAN D
5 MICHAEL DEAN MASON )
g On July 23, 2014, the Commission learned during the processing of Michael Dean
8 Mason’s (Mason) application for renewal of his licensure, that Mason had violated
9 professional standards employing improper and/ or out of date restraints and
1 O misreporting these events to school administrators.
1 1 After review of the matters alleged, Mason and the Commission agree that their
12 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
1 3 certain facts and the imposition of a public reprimand.
14 By signing below, Mason acknowledges, understands, stipulates, and agrees to
15 the following: (i) he has been fully advised of his rights to notice and a hearing to contest
16 the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order set forth below, and fully and finally
17 waives all such rights and any rights to appeal or otherwise challenge this Stipulation 0f
18 Facts and Final Order of Reprimand (Stipulation and Final Order); (ii) this Stipulation
19 and Final Order is a public document and disclosed to the public upon request by the
20 Commission; (iii) this Stipulation and Final Order is contingent upon and subject to
21 approval and adoption by the Commission. If the Commission does not approve and
22 adopt this Stipulation and Final Order, then neither Mason nor the Commission are
23 bound by the terms herein; (iv) he has fully read this Stipulation and Final Order, and
24 understands it completely; (v) he voluntarily, without any force or duress, enters into
25 this Stipulation and Final Order and consents to issuance and entry of the Stipulated
26 Final Order below; (vi) he states that no promise or representation has been made to
27 induce him to sign this Stipulation and Final Order; and (vii) he has consulted with an
28 attorney regarding this Stipulation and Final Order and has been fully advised with
29 regard to his rights thereto, or waives any and all rights to consult with an attorney prior
30 to entering into this Stipulation and Final Order and issuance and entry 0f the Stipulated
31 Final Order below.
32 STIPULATION 0F FACTS
33 1. Michael Dean Mason has been licensed by the Commission since August 23, 2011.
34 Mason’s Initial I Teaching License, with an endorsement in Special Education (ML/HS,
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FlNAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND- MICHAEL DEAN MASON

1 ECE/ELE L), is valid from September, 29 2014, through September 28, 2017. During all
2 relevant times, Mason was employed by the Hermiston School District.
3 2. On July 23, 2014, Mason’s application for renewal of his license was referred to
4 investigations due to Mason’s affirmative answer on character question number one;
5 “Have you ever left any educational or school—related employment, voluntarily 0r
6 involuntarily while the subject of an inquiry, review 0r investigation of alleged
7 misconduct?.. .” Subsequent investigation determined that Mason had violated
8 professional standards; specifically, Mason engaged inappropriate physical contact with
9 students by employing improper and/or out of date restraint holds and misreported these
1O events to school officials.
1 1 3. Commission investigation determined that between September 2013, and October 2013,
12 on several occasions, Mason applied physical restraints on students that were _
13 unapproved and/ or out dated. School district investigations determined the restraints
14 were not within policy and also concluded that Mason had not been accurate in his
1 5 reporting of the incidents either in writing or verbally when questioned.
1 6
17 IT IS SO STIPULATED:
18 - - ‘
19 MM é 7 .2 9/5“
20 Michae ean Maso Date
21 'r M _._,
22 em/ é ~/gl ~ /t$
23 1ctoria Cham er , Executive Director Date
24 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
25 CONCLUSION OF LAW
26 Michael Dean Mason employed physical restraints on students that were
27 unapproved and/ or out dated, inaccurately reported the use of these restraints, and
28 violated local school policy related to the same. This conduct constitutes gross neglect of
29 duty in violation ORS 342.175(1)(b); OAR 584-020-0040(4)(n) as it incorporates OAR
30 584-020-ooio(5) (Use professional judgment), OAR 584-020-002o(2)(d)(Skill in the
31 supervision 0f students), OAR 584-020-0030(2)(b) (Skill in communicating with
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND- MICHAEL DEAN MASON

1 administrators, students, stafl, parents, and other patrons), and OAR 584—020—
2 oo25(2)(e)(Using district lawful and reasonable rules and regulations).
3 The Commission’s authority t0 impose discipline in this matter is based upon
4 ORS 342.175.
5 ORDER
6 Based on the foregoing, the Commission hereby orders as follows:
7 1. The Commission adopts and incorporates herein the above findings of fact and
8 conclusions of law, and based thereon, imposes a Public Reprimand on Michael
9 Dean Mason’s Initial I Teaching License.
1O 2. Mason is directed to successfully complete a Commission approved training
1 1 course 0n proper student restraint techniques and submit written proof to the
12 Commission within six months from the date of this order, or be subject t0
13 additional Commission investigation and possible further disciplinary action.
14
1 5 Issued and dated this fiay W, 2015
16 TEACHER STANDARDS AN PRACTICES COMMISSION >
17 STATE O REGON
18 % Zia}? é 22 é é ' ,
1 9
2O 1ctoria C am erlain, Executive Director
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND FINAL ORDER OF REPRIMAND- MICHAEL DEAN MASON

77—-——__—_
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
I HEREBY CERTIFY that I served the foregoing Stipulation of Facts and Final Order of Reprimand,
certified by me as such, by mailing U.S. First Class Mai] and U.S. Certified Mail — Return Receipt
Requested, addressed to:
Michael Dean Mason
109 NE 13lh Avenue
Albany, OR 97321-1601
. {l1
DATED this (Q ' day of July, 2015.
By: ;__ - '
tty iddell
‘ nvestigative Assistant
Certificate of Mailing — Michael Dean Mason
Data Classification Level: Either 2- Published 0r 3 v Confidential
DO: Liddell