BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
if OF THE STATE OF OREGON
ln the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
Teaching License of ) ORDER OF SUSPENSION
LOU ANN MASON g AND PROBATION

On or about February 12, 2000, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
(Commission) received a report from Steve Waddell, Superintendent, Suislaw School District
that Lou Ann Mason had removed items that belonged to the school district at the end of the
previous school year. The report also indicated that on March 5, 1999, Lou Ann Mason
resigned her teaching position effective June 10, 1999, completing the school year. The Lane
County District Attorney's Office prosecuted Ms. Mason for theft of school property. She plead

. guilty to the charge of Theft I in Lane County Circuit Court on September 25, 2000, pursuant to a
\ I’ Deferred Adjudication Agreement.

Ms. Mason fully cooperated with the Commission’s investigation and did not contest the
allegations. After review of the matters alleged, Ms. Mason and the Commission agree that their
respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to certain
facts and the Imposition of a six (6) month suspension of Ms. Mason’s right to apply for a
teaching license. The Commission will impose a probation of two (2) years upon the issuance of
a teaching license. This Order sets forth the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the
sanction to be imposed. In entering into this stipulation, Ms. Mason waives the right to a hearing
to contest the finding of fact, conclusion of law and order set forth below. Ms. Mason
understands that the probation with be subject to specific conditions.

This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the Commission. If
. the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Ms. Mason nor the Commission are bound
by these Stipulations and Ms. Mason retains all rights to a hearing on the allegations.
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

STIPULATION 0F FACTS
. 1. TSPC licensed Ms. Mason beginning in October of 1993. On June 26, 1997, TSPC
issued a Basic Oregon Teaching License to Ms. Mason with Basic Elementary and Standard
General Business Education Endorsements, this license expired on February 2, 2001.

2. Ms. Mason was employed by the Suislaw School District as an elementary school
teacher from September 1998 until her resignation in lieu of non-renewal effective June 10,
1999.

3. Suffering from extreme situational stress and wanting to maintain her connection to
her classroom and teaching, when she left the Siuslaw School District, Ms. Mason took from her
classroom some instructional materials, equipment, and teaching aids belonging to the District.
A majority of these materials, worth approximately $1,000, were recovered by the District.

4. On September 25, 2000, Ms. Mason accepted full responsibility for her actions by
entering into a deferred adjudication agreement with the State. Pursuant to that agreement, Ms.

. Mason successfully completed the corrective course for the crime of theft and paid unitary
assessment costs and restitution to the Siuslaw School District in the amount of $1,038.
Successful fulfillment of these terms and conditions of the deferred adjudication agreement is
scheduled to result in a dismissal of all charges by the State on June 29, 2001.

5. Prior to her resignation, at her own initiative, Ms. Mason sought treatment from her
primary care physician concerning migraines and extreme situational stress she was
experiencing leading-up t0 her resignation. After she took the instructional materials from the
District, Ms. Mason voluntarily sought a referral from her primary care physician to a
psychologist. She has, since then, sought the treatment of a psychiatrist.

6. Ms. Mason accepts responsibility for her behavior and acknowledges her behavior
was inappropriate.

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Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS. ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

ULTIMATE FINDINGS OF FACT
. Ms. Mason's behavior constitutes serious and material inattention to or breach of
professional responsibilities in violation of state law, district policy and Standards for Competent
and Ethical Performance of Oregon Educators.
CONCLUSION OF LAW
Ms. Mason violated OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o) when she removed property belonging to
Siuslaw School.
lT IS SO STIPULATED:
m M
QMQK 141w,
David V. Myton Executi Director Date
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
. ORDER
Based upon the foregoing the Commission suspends Lou Ann Mason's right to apply for
Teaching License for a period of six (6) months beginning July 13, 2001. At the end of this
suspension period, Ms. Mason’s Teaching License shall be reinstated providing she meets the
following conditions:
1. submission of a complete application with required supporting documentation and
fees; and
2. Ms. Mason shall provide to the Commission a documentation that she has he has
undergone an evaluation by a psychotherapist or medical professional acceptable to the
Commission, and the evaluator submits a written report to the Commission attesting that Ms.
Mason is medically stable, mentally and physically fit to serve as a licensed educator. Any costs
. associated with the assessment or treatment will be the responsibility of Ms. Mason.
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

Upon the issuance of a teaching license to Lou Ann Mason, the Commission will impose
. a two (2) year probation subject to the following condition:

Ms. Mason shall comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance
under Chapter OAR 584, Division 020.

Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for the
Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Ms. Mason's teaching
license, subject Ms. Mason's right to a hearing on the issue of whether she violated probation.

. f j t“
Dated this day of July 2001
TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
By: M V
David V. Myton, E cutive Director

Approved as to form:
Aruna Masih;, OSB #97324
Attorney for Lou Ann Mason
Page 4 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION