1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION .2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON 3 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS, 4 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF SUSPENSION 5 NATHAN POWELL PARKER ) AND PROBATION 6 On or about November 13, 2003, the Teacher Standards and Practices 7 Commission (Commission) received a report from R. Michael Carter, Superintendent, 8 Rainier School District, indicating that Nathan Powell Parker (Parker) used his school 9 computer to access sexually explicit material on the Internet. 10 Mr. Parker fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation. After review of 11 the matters alleged, Mr. Parker and the Commission agree that their respective 12 interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain 13 facts and the imposition of a ninety (90) day suspension of Iicensure followed by a .1 period of probation upon reinstatement. 15 This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the 16 sanction to be imposed. Mr. Parker stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in 17 the Commission's files and records to support the findings of fact and conclusions of law 18 set forth below. In entering into this stipulation, Mr. Parker waives the right to a hearing 19 to contest the findings of fact, conclusions of law and order set forth below. 2O Mr. Parker understands that the probation will be subject to specific conditions. 21 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the 22 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Parker nor the 23 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Parker retains all rights to a 24 hearing on the allegations. ' /// Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - PARKER 1 STIPULATION 0F FACTS .2 1. Mr. Parker holds a Standard Teaching License issued October 24, 2002, valid 3 through October 16, 2007, with a Standard Music Endorsement. 4 2. Mr. Parker was employed by the Rainier School District beginning in June 5 1999 until resignation in lieu of termination effective November 19, 2003. 6 3. A District-owned computer with Internet access was present in Mr. Parker’s 7 office for his use in connection with his assigned responsibilities. The District has a 8 clearly defined, acceptable use policy. The District‘s policy prohibits the use or 9 attempted use of equipment for Internet access of sexually explicit materials. 10 4. Mr. Parker used his classroom computer on multiple occasions to access 11 sexually explicit materials through the District’s Internet connection in violation of District 12 policy regarding Internet use during non-student contact hours. . 5. On or about October 16, 2003, Nathan Parker distributed an article to two 14 staff members at Rainier High School that he downloaded from the Internet and copied 15 on school equipment. A staff member reported that article was inappropriate and 16 offensive. 17 6. Mr. Parker completed boundaries training conducted by attorneys with the 18 firm of McKanna Bishop Joffe and Sullivan. 19 7. Mr. Parker admits that he should not have used the District computer for 20 viewing sexually explicit materials and has expressed remorse for doing so and wants 21 to assure the Commission that he will not engage in any such activity in the future. 22 1.0 STIPULA . I: 23 4/‘ f l . (7/1 3010 Z 24 at -n Powell ' , er _ Date Q, l'lzfl “4/ 1%? 26 Victoria C mber -|n, Execut' e Director Date 27 Teacher Stanards and Practices Commission Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION — PARKER 1 ULTIMATE FINDING OF FACT ‘ Nathan Powell Parker used the computer equipment owned by his employer, 3 Rainier School District, located on school premises, to access sexually explicit 4 materials. Mr. Parker was fully aware that accessing such materials at the workplace 5 using a District owned computer was inappropriate. 6 CONCLUSION OF LAW 7 Nathan Powell Parker‘s inappropriate use of a District computer constitutes 8 Gross Neglect of Duty in violation of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(q). The Commission's 9 authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175. 10 /// 11 /// 12 /// O O Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - PARKER 1 ORDER . Nathan Powell Parker's Standard Teaching License is suspended for a period of 3 ninety (90) days effective on January 10, 2004. At the end of this suspension period, 4 Mr. Parker's Standard Teaching License will be reinstated upon: 5 1. Submission of a complete application and fees pursuant to OAR 584-050- 6 0015(3); and 7 2. Submission of documentation that he has undergone an evaluation by a 8 psychotherapist or medical professional acceptable to the Commission, and the 9 evaluator submits a written report to the Commission attesting (a) Mr. Parker is fit to 1O work with children and teenagers, and (b) there is a high probability he will not use 11 school district equipment to access sexually explicit materials or engage in similar 12 inappropriate behavior. Any costs associated with the assessment or treatment will be ' the responsibility of Mr. Parker. 14 Upon the reinstatement of Iicensure, Mr. Parker shall be placed on probation by 15 the Commission for a period of two (2) years, subject to the following conditions: 16 1. Mr. Parker shall substantially comply with any treatment or counseling as 17 recommended by the individual who completed the evaluation described above. 18 Mr. Parker shall authorize and sign any consent forms as necessary for the treatment 19 provider or counselor to furnish records to or discuss Mr. Parker's treatment with the 20 Commission. ' 21 2. Mr. Parker shall comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical 22 Performance of Oregon Educators under Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 584, 23 Division 020. ‘ 3. Mr. Parker shall provide information as requested by the Commission to verify 25 that he has complied with the conditions of probation, including a statement from a Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - PARKER 1 future employing district that he has complied with the Standards for Competent and . Ethical Performance of Oregon Educators. 3 Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for 4 the Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Mr. Parker's 5 teaching license subject to Mr. Parker's right to a hearing on the issue of whether he 6 violated probation. - 153' 7 IT IS SO ORDERED this day of January 2004. 8 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION 9 . . w ,, / - 10 By: "hem/JAM M 11 VictovChamberlai ~ xecutive Director 12 APPROVED AS TO FORM Q Elizab h McKanna O B# 89306 16 Attorney for Nathan Powell Parker [123003] Page 5 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION - PARKER