. BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
‘ OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the Matter of the )
Licensure of ) STIPULATION AND ORDER OF
) SUSPENSION
MARY ELLEN EDWARDS )
)

The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission) issued a
Notice of Opportunity for Hearing on October 14, 2003 to Mary Ellen Edwards,
proposing to impose discipline under ORS 342.177. Ms. Edwards requested a hearing.
After a review of the matters alleged, Ms. Edwards and the Commission have agreed
that their respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a

, stipulation to certain facts and a suspension of Ms. Edwards's license.

In entering into this stipulation, Ms. Edwards waives her right to a hearing and
understands that the Commission will suspend her teaching license for 60 days. This
stipulation and order are contingent on approval by the full Commission. If the
Commission does not approve this Stipulation and Order, it is understood that any
waiver of rights by Ms. Edwards is therefore revoked, and the statements contained in
the stipulation may not be used by the Commission or Ms. Edwards for any reason.

STIPULATED FACTS ‘

Ms. Edwards and the Commission stipulate as follows:

1. Ms. Edwards has held a Basic Teaching License with endorsements in
elementary education and reading since 1969 and a Standard Personnel Sen/ice
License since 1999.

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can-H2224 16: 34 5232431155 DULAN amass PAGE @31214

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2. Ms. Edwards was hired on February 18, 2003 by Portland Public Schools as a
Title 1 Family Involvement Specialist, a non-certified, non-teaching consultant position.
In March 2003, the school district informed Ms. Edwards that she had been given the
wrong job application prior to hire, and the district asked Ms. Edwards to fill out a new
application. She submitted the new application on March 14, 2003.

3. The March 14 application included the question: "Have you ever been
investigated for misconduct related to your employment?" Ms. Edwards responded "no."
Ms. Edwards states that because the position for which she was filling out the
application was a non-certified position, she believed the question to refer to non-

. certified employment and she could therefore respond "no" accurately. The TSPC
finds, over Ms. Edwards‘ objection, that Ms. Edwards knew or should have known that
her answer was inaccurate and therefore finds her conduct was knowing.

4. On or about March 24, 2004, Portland Public Schools determined that Ms. _
Edwards had inaccurately filled out her application. She was asked to fill out a new
application, this time responding "yes" to the question regarding investigation of
misconduct. She did so and continued to work through the end of her contract.

. 5. Ms. Edwards had been investigated for misconduct related to certified
employment in 1998. As a result. she was found to have violated a civil reporting
statute and TSPC issued a public reprimand in May 1999.

194% 14/414 M $0110 l/
’ Mary lle Edwards Date
PAGE- 2 — STIPULATION AND ORDER — MARY ELLEN EDWARDS — GENI5277.doc

x Mimi/WM gm Z-ékfiQZ
ictoria Cha lain, Executive Director Date
CONCLUSION OF LAW
Ms. Edwards knew or should have known that she made a false statement on
her application for school-related employment in violation of OAR 584-020-0040(4)(c).
ORDER
The Oregon teaching licenses of Mary Ellen Edwards are suspended for a period
of 60 days. Upon expiration of the suspension she may apply for reinstatement
pursuant to OAR 584-050-0015.
' tiv/ "ma
IT IS SO ORDERED this 7 day ofdaagg 2004.
TEfiyHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
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\ ‘ ictoria Ch ,uberlain, Exec tive Director
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