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BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
OF THE STATE OF OREGON
In the matter of the )
Teaching License of : )
) STIPULATION OF FACTS, PUBLIC
BARBARA JUNE COFFEY. g REPRIMAND AND ORDER
On May l4, 2004, the Superintendent of the Gladstone School District sent a report to the
Teacher Standards and Practices Commission (Commission) stating that Barbara June Coffey
may have violated a statutory obligation to report potential child abuse.
Following a preliminary investigation, the Commission issued a Notice of Opportunity
for Hearing (Notice) on January 21, 2005. Ms. Coffey requested a hearing.
‘ Aﬂer a review of the matters alleged, Ms. Coffey and the Commission agreed that their
respective interests together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation t0 certain
facts and imposition of a public reprimand.
This Order sets for the the facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction t0 be
imposed. In entering into this Stipulation, Ms. Coffey waives the right to a hearing to contest the
ﬁndings 0f fact, conclusions of law and order set forth below. In signing this Stipulation, Ms.
Coffey also acknowledges that she has read and understands the terms of this Stipulation and
Order and understands that this Order constitutes the ﬁnal resolution of the proceeding for the
violations alleged in the Notice including any right to appeal therefrom.
The Stipulated Order is contingent upon approval and adoption by the full Commission.
If the Commission does not adopt this Order neither Ms. Coffey nor the Commission are bound
by any stipulations or other matters contained herein, and Ms. Coffey shall retain all rights to a
’ hearing t0 contest the allegations in the Notice.
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STIPULATION OF FACTS
. Ms. Coffey and the Commission stipulate to the following facts:
1. Ms. Coffey holds a Standard Teaching License with endorsements in Basic Elementary,
Basic Health Education, Basic Mathematics and Standard Handicapped Learner.
2. On May 5, 2004, while Ms. Coffey was walking from her car to her church, she was
approached by a 12-year old girl who told Ms Coffey about an incident regarding RP, a student
of Ms. Coffey‘s. The girl stated that she had witnessed RP's other become very angry at RP and
shoving RP against a wall.
3. Ms. Coffey believed the girl's account and contacted RP at school the next morning and
inquired about the incident. RP told Ms. Coffey that her mother had pushed RP into a wall,
pulled her hair, screamed at her and caused a scratch on RP's arm.
4. Ms. Coffey believed that the issue was resolved because RP told her that RP and her
mother had resolved the problem. Ms. Coffey subsequently checked in with RP on a daily basis
' and felt that things were peaceful at home.
5. On May 12, 2004, Ms. Coffey relayed the incident involving RP to the School Counselor
who suggested that Ms. Coffey may want to contact Officer Jundt.
6. Later, on May l2, 2004, Officer Jundt pulled Ms. Coffey from a meeting and insisted
Ms. Coffey make a mandatory report.
7. On May l4, 2004, the Superintendent of Gladstone School District 115 made a report to
the Commission relaying that Ms. Coffey failed to immediately report an incident of potential
child abuse involving RP.
8. On May 18, 2004, Pia Leonard, Assistant Superintendent of Gladstone School District
115 spoke with Ms. Coffey about the incident and issued a verbal directive to Ms. Coffey
regarding reporting incidents of potential child abuse. Ms. Coffey advised Ms. Leonard that she
knew that RP and her mother had resolved their issues and she did not feel she was required to
' report the May 5, 2004 incident.
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9. The Gladstone School District conducts annual in-service training on mandatory child
' abuse reporting requirements.
10. Ms. Coffey has made mandatory reports pursuant to ORS 419B.010 in the past.
11. Subsequent discussions with Ms. Coffey have revealed that Ms. Coffey now understands
the severity of her failure to report any possible incidents of child abuse immediately, the
consequences of violating ORS 419B.010 and the gravity of her violation of Commission
standards.
12. Ms. Coffey feels remorse for this incident of failing to report an incident of possible
child abuse immediately.
Wéggg game a, was
ar ara June C0 y Date
Zma/ M’
. .. . '1'} 7W6 M ,7—,ZJ/C,d
rctona Ch am, Executive Director Date
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW
l. Ms. Coffey, a public ofﬁcial, failed to make an immediate report of possible child abuse
t0 the Department of Human Services 0r law enforcement as is required under ORS 419B.010.
2. Ms. Coffey's failure to mrﬂte an immediate report of an incident of possible child abuse
to the Department of Human Services or law enforcement constitutes gross neglect of duty in
violation of OAR 5 84-020-0040(4)(n) (substantial deviation from professional standards of
ethics) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0010(5) (use of professional judgment) and OAR 584-
020-0025(3)(a) (ethical educator will obey the law), and OAR 584-020-0040(4)(o) (substantial
deviation from professional standards) as it incorporates OAR 584-020-0035(3)(a) (ethical
educator obeys the laws).
. 3. The Commission may consider one or more factors provided at OAR 584-020-0045 as it
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deems appropriate in its determination of what sanctions should be imposed upon a ﬁnding that
. an educator has violated any standard set forth in OAR 584-020-0040.
DISCUSSION
The Commission considers Ms. Coffey's conduct in failing to report a suspected incident
of child abuse as gross neglect of duty. The Commission has considered the factors at OAR 584-
020-0045 to determine an appropriate penalty in this instance: Ms. Coffey has made other
mandatory reports in the past and this incident appears to be an isolated occurrence; after
discussions with the Commission, Ms. Coffey acknowledges her misconduct and now
understands the standards for reporting suspected instances of child abuse and further
understands that suspected child abuse must be reported in all contexts and instances; and Ms.
Coffey has expressed remorse. Based on these consideratins, the Commission will impose a
public reprimand.
ORDER
' The Commission imposes a public reprimand on Barbara June Coffey and this Order
shall serve as the public reprimand.
IT IS so ORDERED this i day of 4:’ (rig 1.1/ , 2005.
' -_/'
TEACHER/I STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
‘1,141+ 4% 4y /1m ,1
‘Victoria Ch \ l ‘n, Executive Director
Approved as form:
A
Attorney for Barbara June Coffey
O
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