BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the Matter of the )
Teaching License 0f ) DEFAULT ORDER
FRANK JAMES CRAWFORD ) SUSPENDING LICENSE
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On or about February 1 1, 1997, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission

received a complaint from Jer Pratton, Superintendent of Hermiston School District,

indicating that Frank James Crawford had violated his contract by failing to provide

60 days’ notice prior to resignation. Under OAR 584-50-020, the Commission informs

the educator of intent to suspend the license on the basis of such complaints. A

notice to Frank Crawford dated February 27, 1997, informed Mr. Crawford of her

opportunity for hearing on the matter. The notice of opportunity for hearing was sent
by U.S. Certified Mail--Return Receipt Requested.
FINDINGS OF FACT

1. On or about July l2, 1996, Hank James Crawford signed an employment
contract with the Hemiiston School District for the 1996-97 school year.

2. On Friday, December 20, 1996, Crawford cleaned out his desk and left school
before scheduled dismissal for the Christmas holiday vacation period.

3. Mr. Crawford did not return to school as scheduled on January 6, 1997. On

a. January 13, 1997, the District received a letter dated January 7, 1997, listing
Mr. Crawfords reasons for resigning. This followed a telephone conversation
with the Hermiston School Districts Human Resources Manager in which
Crawford acknowledged he was quitting and would accept the consequences of
breaking a contract.

4. Meeting in regular session on February 3, 1997, the Hermiston School District
Board of Directors took action to seek a one year suspension of Crawford‘s
teaching license and accept his resignation.

5. Hermiston School District informed TSPC of this action in a letter dated i
February 4, 1997, requesting the suspension of Crawford’s teaching license. l

ULTIMATE FINDINGS OF FACT

Frank James Crawford signed an employment contract with the Hermiston School

District on July 12, 1996, for the 1996-97 school year. He submitted a letter of

resignation dated January 7. 1997 , effective December 20, 1996.

PAGE 1--PROPOSED ORDER--FRANK CRAWFORD

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CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
ORS 342.553 requires the suspension of a license for the balance of the school year
for failure to provide 60 days‘ notice prior to resignation. If the charge of the contract
violation is proven, and justification for the contract violation is not satisfactory, the
Commission is required to suspend the license for the remainder of the school year.
The Commissio’s decision is final.
ORDER
The Teacher Standards and Practices Commission suspends the Oregon Teaching
License #297494 issued to Frank James Crawford,
for violation of contract by resignation without providing 60 days’ written notice.
L ha fifi ’l\
Dated this (9 l day of l W’ , 1997 .
TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
By: 2:71; Wf MAM/AM
David V. My'ton, Executive Secretary
\ ACTION OF THE COMMISSION TO SUSPEND LICENSES FOR CONTRACT
VIOLATIONS UNDER ORS 342.553 ARE FINAL AND MAY NOT BE APPEALED.
DVM/ cs
CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
I hereby certify that I served the foregoing order by mailing a true copy thereof
certified by me as such by regular U.S. mail and by U.S. Certified Mail with Retum
Receipt Requested to:
Dated this £52221” 0M, 1997.
13$ng 6% @624)
Charlene A. Smith
Secretary to the Commission
PAGE 2--PROPOSED ORDER-~FRANK CRAWFORD
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CERTIFICATE OF MAILING
. I hereby certify that I served the foregoin order by mailing a true copy thereof
certified by me as such byéiflin/MUS. Certified Mail with Return
Receipt Requested to:
Dated this ggj day of M, 1997.
By: . Cw
C arlene A. Smith
Secretary to the Commission
PAGE 3——PROPOSED ORDER-—CHRISTINE ELAINE BARBER