' RECEiVEU
1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION OCT 2 1 2002
; . OF THE STATE OF OREGON . \
3 In the Matter of the ) . .
4 Administrative License of ) STIPULATION OF FACTS
5 JERRY LYNN SESSIONS ) AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND
‘75 )
8 On or about January 27, 2002, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission _
9 (Commission) received a complaint from Kyle McKinney, a teacher at La Grande High School,
10 alleging that Jerry Lynn Sessions (Sessions) former Superintendent, La Grande School District '
11 changed the final grade of a student in his class without his knowledge.
12 Mr. Sessions fully cooperated with the Commission‘s investigation. After review of the
13 matters alleged, Mr. Sessions and the Commission agree that their respective interests,
14 together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain facts and the
15 imposition of a Public Reprimand.
- J This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have ‘agreed and the sanction to
17 be imposed. Mr. Sessions stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in the
18 Commission's files and records to support the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth
19 below. In entering into this stipulation, Mr. Sessions waives the right to a hearing to contest the
20 finding of fact, conclusion of law and order set forth below.
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. Sessions nor the
23 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Sessions retains all rights to a hearing on
24 the allegations.
25 STIPULATION OF FACTS
26 1. Mr. Sessions holds a Standard Administrative License valid until January 29, 2007.
27 The Commission has continually licensed Mr. Sessions since August 10, 1984. There are no
‘ i8 previous complaints on file with the Commission.
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND—JERRY LYNN SESSIONS

1 2. Mr. Sessions was employed by La Grande School District as a Superintendent from
' April 14, 1999, until June 29, 2001. Mr. Sessions is currently employed by the Hood River
3 County School District.
4 3. During the 2001-2002 school year, in violation of district policy, Mr. Sessions
5 knowingly agreed to allow a La Grande School Board member's daughter to retake a math test
6 in an effort to improve the final grade. Mr. Sessions submitted a grade change to ‘the registrar
7 indicating that the student’s test score improved her math grade.
8 4. Mr. Sessions did not contact the classroom teacher regarding his decision to allow
9 the student to retake the test or the change of grade.
10 5. Mr. Sessions accepts responsibility for his decisions and actions, and acknowledges
1 1 that they were inappropriate. _ '
12 CONCLUSION OF LAW
13 Mr. Sessions failed to demonstrate a commitment to use professional judgment in violation
.1 of OAR 584-020-0010(5) when he chose to become involved in changing the grade of a board
15 member's daughter. Mr. Sessions failed to follow district policy, building policy, rules and
16 regulations pursuant to OAR 584-020-0025(e) when he allowed the/student to retake the test
17 and became involved in the student's grade change. This misconduct constitutes Gross
18 Neglect of Duty. The Commission's authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon
19 ORS 342.175.
20 IT IS SO STIPULATED: >
g; ( I OZ I 3' (01..
23 J ‘L ' Jns / Date
Wit/2% /2"'/W. ._ ._
25 Victoria "'amberlain, E -cutive Director Date
26 Teacher - - ards and Practices Commission
' .
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND—JERRY LYNN SESSIONS

1 ORDER
‘ The Commission imposes a Public Reprimand on Mr. Sessions. This Stipulation of
3 Facts and Order of Reprimand constitute the reprimand.
. 01”‘)
. 4 lT IS SO ORDERED this / day of January 2003
5 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
6 .
(
8 rotoria Chamb ' , 'xecutive Director
9 ‘ .
10 Approved as to form:
11\ j D
.. / I
12 “LL-‘IL! o
1 es M. Bro , OSB #67012
14 rney for Je Lynn Sessions [1015021
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS AND ORDER OF REPRIMAND—-JERRY LYNN SESSIONS