1 BEFORE THE TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
~ 2 OF THE STATE OF OREGON
3
4 In the Matter of the ) STIPULATION OF FACTS,
5 Teaching License of ) ORDER OF REPRIMAND
6 MELVILLE W. CORWIN ) AND PROBATION
7 )
8
- 9 On or about March 21, 2001, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
1O (Commission) received a report from Lavonne Bush, Superintendent, Neah-Kah-Nie School
11 District indicating that Melville “Corkey” Corwin, a licensed educator, participated in receiving
12 and sending emails over the district email system which were both inappropriate and potentially
13 hurtful to other staff members.
14 Mr. Con/vin fully cooperated with the Commission's investigation and did not contest the
15 allegations. After review of the matters alleged, Mr. Corwin and the Commission agree that
16 their respective interests, together with the public interest, are best served by a stipulation to
17 certain facts, a public reprimand and a one (1) year period of probation. Mr. Corwin
18 understands that the probation will be subject to specific conditions. This Order sets forth the
19 facts upon which the parties have agreed and the sanction to be imposed. In entering into this
20 stipulation, Mr. Corwin waives the right to a hearing to contest the finding of fact, conclusion of
21 law and order set forth below.
22 STIPULATION OF FACTS
23 1. Mr. Corwin holds a Standard Teaching License valid July 19, 2000 through
24 September 12, 2005. The Commission has continually licensed Mr. Corwin since July 1, 1974.
25 There are no prior complaints on file.
26 2. Mr. Corwin is employed by NeaheKah-Nie School District. He began his employment
27 with the District in September of 1984.
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JUN 1 2 2001
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and Practices Commission
Page 1 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

1 3. Beginning in 1999, District-owned computers with email access were present in all
. 2 Neah-Kah—Nie Jr/Senior High School classrooms for educator use in connection with assigned
3 responsibilities.
4 4. The District has a clearly defined, acceptable policy that has been in force since
5 January 8, 1996. The District's acceptable use agreement declares that information in email
6 messages is not private to the individual sending or receiving the correspondence; that the
7 District is a public entity and all correspondence is done on public property and on public
8 equipment; and that all correspondence should meet the standards of the District and the
9 School Board
1O 5. Mr. Corwin used his classroom computer to send and receive inappropriate email
11 messages to other staff members in the building using the District's email service. A student
12 intercepted and read an Inappropriate email as a result of his activities.
13 6. Mr. Corwin admits that he should not have used the District computer for sending or
.14 receiving inappropriate email messages and has expressed remorse for doing so.
15 7. Mr. Corwin has never denied his actions with the School District or TSPC. He has
16 accepted responsibility and acknowledges his mistake. The District has disciplined Mr. Corwin
17 for his inappropriate use of District equipment.
18 ULTIMATE FINDING 0F FACT
19 Melville Corwin used the computer equipment owned by his employer, Neah-Kah-Nie
20 School District, located on school premises, to send and receive inappropriate email messages.
21 Mr. Corwin was fully aware that sending and receiving inappropriate email messages using ‘
22 District owned computer equipment was inappropriate and in violation of District policy. i
23 CONCLUSION OF LAW
24 Melville Corwin’s activities constitute gross neglect of duty in violation of OAR 584-020-
25 0040(4)(a) and OAR 584-020-0010(5).
.26 This stipulation is contingent upon approval and adoption of the Order by the
27 Commission. If the Commission does not adopt this Order, neither Mr. Corwin nor the
Page 2 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION

1 Commission are bound by these Stipulations and Mr. Corwin retains all rights to a hearing on
. 2 the allegations.

3 IT IS SO STIPULATED:

4 tit ' i

5 [777419 li/ CM t ll [If

6 Melville W. Corwin Date

7 ' ,

8 w #Lipw

9 David V. Myton Executive irector Date
10 Teacher Standards and Practices Commission
11 ORDER
12 The Commission imposes a Public Reprimand on Mr. Conn/in. This Stipulation of Facts,
13 Order of Reprimand and Probation constitutes the reprimand. Furthermore, the Commission
14 imposes a one (1) year probation upon Mr. Corwin subject to the condition that Mr. Corwin
15 comply with all Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance under Chapter OAR 584,

'16 Division 020.
17 Violation of the terms of this probation may constitute an independent basis for the
18 Commission to impose discipline, up to and including revocation of Mr. Cowvin’s teaching
19 license subject Mr. Corwin’s right to a hearing on the issue of whether he violated probation.
'rv
20 Dated this // day of July 2001
21 TEACHER STANDARDS AND PRACTICES COMMISSION
22 .
\ l‘ ,,./_A
23 By: _
24 David V. Myton, Executive Director
25 APPROVED AS TO FORM
26
27 “w I
28 Monica A. Smith OSB 400 i
29 Attorney for Melville W. Corwin ‘
Page 3 STIPULATION OF FACTS, ORDER OF SUSPENSION AND PROBATION