.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 ) SURRENDER, ORDER OF
5 HEATHER RENEA WHITE ) REVOCATION AND PROBATION
6 On or about April 16, 2002, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
7 (Commission) received a report from Patrick Burke, Superintendent, Fern Ridge School District,
8 indicating the District was investigating a situation involving Heather Renea White (White) and a
9 student.
10 After review of the matters alleged, Ms. White and the Commission agree that their
11 respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
12 facts and surrender of her teaching license as per OAR 584-050-0027. Ms. White understands
13 that the Commission will accept the surrender of her teaching license, revokes said license for a
period of five (5) months, and impose a four (4) year probation upon any future reinstatement of
Q; Iicensure.
16 This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to be
17 imposed. Ms. White stipulates that there are sufficient facts contained in the Commission’s files
18 and records to support the findings of fact and conclusions of law set forth below. In entering into
19 this stipulation, Ms. White waives the right to a hearing to contest the findings of fact, conclusions
2O of law and order set forth below.
21 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the Commission.
22 If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Ms. White nor the Commission are bound by
23 these Stipulations and Ms. White retains all rights to a hearing on the allegations.
24 STIPULATION 0F FACTS
25 1. Ms. White has been licensed by the Commission since August 19, 1998. The
6 Commission issued Ms. White‘s current Standard Teaching License on April 17, 2002, valid until
67 February 14, 2008, with a Standard Language Arts Endorsement.
1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SURRENDER, ORDER OF REVOCATION, AND PROBATION - WHITE

'1 2. On April 12, 2002, Investigators from the Lane County District Attorney’s Office
2 contacted the Fern Ridge School District based upon a parent complaint that Ms. White was
3 inappropriately communicating with complainant's 17 year old son, TC, a student attending Elmira
4 High School. After a complete investigation of Ms. White's contact with TC, no criminal charges
5 were filed.
6 3. Ms. White began employment with the Fern Ridge School District as a teacher at Elmira
7 High School on September 1, 1998. Ms. White received outstanding teacher performance
8 evaluations annually. On April 15, 2002, the District placed Ms. White on administrative leave. Ms.
9 White resigned her teaching position effective the end of the 2001 ~2002 school year.
10 4. Beginning in February of 2002, Ms. White engaged in romantic or overly personal email
11 communication with, TC, a 17 year old male student in her class. There is no evidence that this
12 relationship included physical or sexual contact.
3 5. Ms. White provided funds to TC and asked him to purchase a train ticket to travel to
‘i Seattle, Washington, to meet her at a hotel for the weekend; however, this trip never occurred.
15 6. Ms. White encouraged TC to provide misleading information to his parents regarding his
16 whereabouts on that weekend.
17 7. Ms. White acknowledges that her behavior in this matter was inappropriate and accepts
18 responsibility for her conduct.
19 IT IS SO STIPULAT : _
20 W 24M?’
21 Heather Renea White Date
22 .
23 MZZMW $7 ‘67;’ 0:1
24 Victoria Cha e in, Executive Director Date
25 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
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2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SURRENDER, ORDER OF REVOCATION, AND PROBATION - WHITE
W

1 CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
‘2 Heather Renea White failed to maintain a professional student-teacher relationship with TC,
3 a 17 year old male student attending Elmira High School in violation of OAR 584-020-0035(1)(c).
4 Ms. White exploited her professional relationship with TC for personal purposes in violation of OAR
5 584-020-0035(1)(b). Ms. White failed to maintain the dignity of the profession and exemplify
6 personal integrity and honesty when she encouraged a student to lie to his parents in violation of
7 OAR 584-020-0035(3)(a). This misconduct constitutes Gross Neglect of Duty. The Commission's
8 authority to impose discipline in this matter is based upon ORS 342.175.
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3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SURRENDER, ORDER OF REVOCATION, AND PROBATION - WHITE

1 ORDER
"2 The Commission accepts the surrender of Ms. Whites Standard Teaching License and hereby
3 revokes said license, effective January 9, 2004. Notwithstanding ORS 342.175(3), Ms. White may
4 apply for reinstatement of her teaching license five months after the effective date of the revocation
t 5 pursuant to OAR 584-050-0015(4). During the period of revocation Ms. White shall continue
I 6 treatment as indicated by her mental health care provider and conduct herself as alaw—abiding A t
7 citizen. I
8 Upon reinstatement of Licensure the Commission imposes a four (4) year probation upon
9 Ms. White subject to the following terms and conditions:
1O 1. During the period of this probation, Ms. White shall continue treatment as indicated by her
11 mental health care provider;
12 2. Ms. White shall report in writing within ten days to the Executive Director of the
13 Commission any arrest or citation for any felony, misdemeanor, or major traffic violation; and
‘ 3. Ms. White shall comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance under
15 Oregon Administrative Rules, Chapter 584, Division 020.
16 If Ms. White does not comply with all terms and conditions of this probation, based on the,
17 reports of her treatment provider or as othen/vise determined by the Executive Director, she shall be in
18 violation of this probation. Violation of a term or condition of this probation may constitute an
19 independent basis for the Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of
20 Iicensure subject to Ms. Whites right to a hearing on the issue of whether she violated probation.
21 IT IS SO ORDERED this _5_____ day Of March, 2004.
22 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
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24 B :
25 VictoréChagerlain, Executive Director [0220041
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4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, SURRENDER, ORDER OF REVOCATION, AND PROBATION - WHITE