26 Educator Ethics Complaints in South-central Idaho Larson was also arrested for driving without privileges July 1 ... used inappropriate language in front of students and/or another teacher, failed to attend a professional development course but stated he did, punched another teacher in the arm during ... Continue reading... http://magicvalley.com/news/local/education/educator-ethics-complaints-in-south-central-idaho/article_be5dd5ad-bffa-55c4-b369-fa0bd9a5cd35.html
Full text: The Idaho Professional Standards Commission took these disciplinary actions against south-central Idaho educators since 2005, according to state documents obtained through a public records request. The Times-News excluded cases that were dismissed. 2005 RODNEY MALONE School district: Valley (Hazelton) Ethics complaint: Malone allegedly sent a letter to “school patrons that disclosed confidential information regarding students” and failed to report to the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare or a law enforcement agency “child abuse that Mr. Malone had reason to believe had occurred,” according to state records. Malone voluntarily waived his right to a hearing. Disciplinary action: Letter of reprimand. 2006 EDWARD GREGORY School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: Gregory allegedly used “school computers to deliberately view or print pornography,” according to state records. Gregory voluntarily waived his right to a hearing. Disciplinary action: Suspended teaching certificate for one year, starting April 13, 2006. Gregory was allowed to reapply after that, but with conditions: that he seek counseling, submit a written statement from a supervising counselor and complete the course of therapy recommended by a counselor. 2008 KENT STEWART School district: Castleford Ethics complaint: No details are included in the ethics commission’s final order. Stewart voluntarily waived his right to a hearing. Disciplinary action: One-year suspension of teaching certificate beginning Aug. 12, 2008, requirement to enroll in counseling and to submit written verification from the counselor before his suspension expired to show “his counseling addressed the issue of pornography,” according to state records. 2010 ANNA M. BETTENCOURT School district: Bliss Ethics complaint: While a certified teacher, Bettencourt was convicted of one felony count of sexual battery of a minor child 16 or 17 years of age in Gooding County, state records show. A judge in 2010 suspended jail time and placed Bettencourt on 10 years of probation, according to Times-News archives. During her sentencing in September 2009, Bettencourt cried as she read a statement: “I was the adult and should have exercised better judgment, which I did not.” She told authorities the student involved told others about their liaisons and it affected her work. “I couldn’t teach,” she told the court. “I was in a living hell.” Bettencourt told Judge John Butler during the hearing that she regretted the pain she caused to not only her family, but also “the young man and his family.” She said, “I can’t erase what I’ve done … but will do whatever it takes to atone for my actions.” Disciplinary action: Permanently revoked teaching certificate. LINDA BULCHER School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: The alleged unethical practice arose during administration of Idaho Standards Achievement Tests, state records show, but further details aren’t included. Bulcher surrendered her teaching certificate. Disciplinary action: Revoked teaching certificate. When a teaching certificate is revoked, the educator typically is allowed to apply for reinstatement. That’s different than a permanent revocation, which means the educator can’t ever get his or her license back. CHAD T. BURNETT School district: Cassia County Ethics complaint: While a certified teacher, Burnett was convicted of two felony counts of sexual battery of a minor child 16 or 17 years of age, state records show. He also pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor violation of a no-contact order. He was sentenced in 2010 to at least three years in state prison, theTimes-News reported. Disciplinary action: Permanently revoked teaching certificate. LARRY W. LARSON School district: Filer Ethics complaint: Larson was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence May 9, 2009, and pleaded guilty June 9, 2009. Larson was also arrested for driving without privileges July 1, 2009, “after a citizen called police to report inappropriate behavior at a local swimming pool. It was reported that Respondent was watching children in the park” and had been drinking, according to state records. A final order from the ethics commission also outlines other complaints the Filer School District made to the state about Larson’s conduct at school. Larson voluntarily surrendered his teaching certificate and “agrees that he will not engage in teaching in the state of Idaho,” according to state records. In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, he agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Revoked teaching certificate. 2011 BRENT FAY School district: Gooding Ethics complaint: Allegations include that Fay told students to “shut up,” grabbed students by their hair to pull them toward him and whisper instructions in their ears, pushed a student against a wall, used inappropriate language in front of students and/or another teacher, failed to attend a professional development course but stated he did, punched another teacher in the arm during a fire drill at Gooding Elementary School and made one or more negative comments during a motivational speaker presentation at Gooding Elementary, according to state records. Students expressed fear of Fay and asked to be removed from his class. Fay failed to request an ethics commission hearing “or otherwise defend against the action,” according to state records. “Therefore, the allegations contained in the Administrative Complaint on file in this matter are admitted as true without the necessity of conducting a hearing.” Disciplinary action: Suspended teaching certificate indefinitely. CYNTHIA MAY FULCHER School district: Xavier Charter School (Twin Falls) Ethics complaint: Xavier submitted a complaint alleging Fulcher “intentionally withheld information concerning an applicant for a teaching position” when making a recommendation to the School Board, according to state records. In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, she agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Revoked teaching certificate, but allowed her to reapply after six months with conditions: submitting a reflective paper after a thorough review of the state’s code of ethics for professional educators, and submitting a new application for reinstatement and meeting background check requirements. She was also required to complete an accredited ethics course. TOBY L. GLEAVE School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: Gleave entered pleas of guilty to driving under the influence of alcohol — a misdemeanor — in Twin Falls County in June 2004 and January 2008. In September 2010, Gleave was at Twin Falls High School during business hours and “was believed by more than one co-worker to be under the influence of alcohol,” which was confirmed by an alcohol test, according to state records. In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, he agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Suspended teaching certificate indefinitely, with conditions prior to reinstatement: proof of submissions to a drug and alcohol evaluator, proof of successful completion of a certified drug and alcohol treatment program, and proof of successfully completing an accredited ethics course. If his certificate were to be reinstated, Gleave would be on probation for five years, including Idaho Department of Education background investigation checks every year. CATHERINE ANN LOWDEN School district: Blaine County Ethics complaint: Lowden, an art teacher, allegedly became “agitated after students had not adequately cleaned the clay working area,” according to state records. “Respondent twice threw masonite ‘batts’ (devices used to keep clay in place on a potter’s wheel) from one sink to another. This was done in the vicinity of students and one of the ‘batts’ ricocheted off a pottery wheel and a sculpture striking one student on the hand. The other ‘batt’ also ricocheted and glanced off of the back of a different student.” In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, she agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Letter of reprimand. 2012 MICHAEL SCOTT BRINKERHOFF School district: Cassia County Ethics complaint: Brinkerhoff was sentenced to serve up to 12 years of supervised probation for felony sexual abuse of a child younger than 16, according to Times-News archives. He pleaded guilty to posing as a 15-year-old male in order to engage in sexually charged Internet conversations with a female student at Burley Junior High School, police said. Law enforcement said he sent multiple Facebook messages, many with sexual content, to his 14-year-old female victim. Disciplinary action: Permanently revoked teaching certificate.
Full text (continued): JANET TAYLOR JONES School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: A complaint against Jones — an extended resource teacher — included allegations that she struck a student on the head with a book, required a special needs student to remain in his wet clothing after he urinated in his pants during class and directed paraprofessionals to be “meaner” and more “aggressive” with special needs students, according to state records. “Ms. Jones testified that she was in a difficult situation,” according to state records. “From her perspective, she was placed in a new situation without adequate information about the students that would be in her classroom and without adequate administrative support from above or adequate paraprofessional support in her classroom.” Disciplinary action: Suspended teaching license until Sept. 1, 2013, with conditions before returning to the classroom: taking additional classes or other instruction to address classroom management, behavior intervention training, working with paraprofessionals and professional colleagues, and the ethics principles found in state board rules. ROGER L. WELLS School district: Castleford Ethics complaint: Wells was accused of secretly videotaping a high school girl as she showered during an FFA convention in Moscow in 2011. He accepted a plea agreement in a Latah County courtroom, where he pleaded guilty to video voyeurism. Wells was sentenced to jail time, five years of probation and must complete sex offender treatment, according to the Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Wells voluntarily surrendered his teaching license in July 2012. Disciplinary action: Revoked teaching certificate. 2013 TARA BAGLEY School district: Cassia County Ethics complaint: Bagley, who was assistant principal at Burley High School, was convicted in July 2013 on two felony counts of sexual abuse committed by lewd or lascivious acts on a minor child 16 to 17 years old. Bagley was sentenced to two consecutive four- to 13-year prison terms after a plea agreement dismissed five charges of sexual battery of a minor. In January 2013, Bagley voluntarily surrendered her standard secondary certificate and administrator certificate, state records show. During her court sentencing in July 2013, balled-up tissues used to dry Bagley’s tears piled up on the table in front of her. Bagley said six months earlier she was a successful vice principal, church leader, wife and mother of three. “The only part that is true now is I’m still a mother.” She characterized her acts as “consensual, inappropriate relationships” and said she takes responsibility for the harm she caused to the victims, school and community. “First, I want to apologize to the victims and their families. I’m so sorry for what happened — especially because I was in a position of trust and responsibility for these girls.” Bagley said she “embarrassed and brought a bad name to the teaching profession.” Disciplinary action: Permanently revoked teaching license. JEAN-JACQUES BOHL School district: Blaine County Ethics complaint: Bohl allegedly “attempted to place duct tape over a student’s mouth for talking in class,” grabbed a student by the neck and forcibly walked him to his seat while telling him to “shut the f— up,” showed one or more male students “how he could crush their testicles for talking in class by slamming wooden yoga blocks together” and, when a student completed a class assignment to depict what other students would look like in 15 years, he copied and distributed a drawing of a student whose eyes had fallen out from playing video games, according to state records. Bohl was “forthright about what he had done and why it was inappropriate” and retired from his 25-year teaching career under “circumstances that embarrassed him and that prevented him from finishing his last year of teaching in his classroom and from speaking at the high school graduation ceremony,” according to state records. Disciplinary action: Suspended teaching certificate until Bohl completed two classes: one addressing anger management and one addressing controlling student behavior in the classroom. AMY MARIANNE HARDIN School district: Filer Ethics complaint: Hardin allegedly sent a text message to a student asking if she could pull off a naughty teacher costume for Halloween, according to state records. “Ms. Hardin testified that she had not initiated the text message exchange with the student and that she had answered his texts about what she was doing in a humorous fashion and not a suggestive fashion,” according to state records. Later the document states: “Ms. Hardin now realizes that exchanging text messages with students is a poor practice.” Disciplinary action: Required one ethics class. JEFFREY AARON MOORE School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: The school district alleged Moore may have provided “false and/or misleading information in applications for employment,” according to state records. Moore didn’t provide an answer to the administrative complaint. Disciplinary action: Revoked teaching certificate. BELINDA J. TURLEY School district: Jerome Ethics complaint: Turley — while on school property during regular hours — allegedly “uploaded two photographs from a personal flash drive onto her school computer” and sent them via her school email to two co-workers, according to state records. They were of a male acquaintance and “such photographs were inappropriate for viewing at school or through the school’s email system.” In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, she agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Letter of reprimand and requirement of an accredited ethics course. 2014 ANDREW J. BACHA School district: Bliss Ethics complaint: Bacha stated he completed six professional development credits when he submitted an application in August 2012 to renew his certificate, but didn’t complete the credits until October 2012, according to state records. In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, he agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Suspended teaching license indefinitely, until he completed Ethics 202 at the College of Southern Idaho, a new background check and all conditions for a clear five-year certificate, including required testing. REBECCA HUNSAKER School district: Cassia County Ethics complaint: Hunsaker, principal at Declo Elementary School, was the supervisor for a fourth-grade teacher who decided students who didn’t make their accelerated reading goal must choose between having their faces painted by students or staying in for recess, according to court records. Hunsaker allegedly observed several students with painted faces, but “did not timely address the situation” with the teacher until the next day after receiving a parent complaint, according to state records. In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, she agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Required to complete within six months: develop a “Safe School Plan” for staff, complete a classroom management course and a course on harassment, bullying and cyber-intimidation in schools. SUMMER RAE LARSEN School district: Cassia County Ethics complaint: School district officials filed a formal complaint about Larsen, a fourth-grade teacher at Declo Elementary School. On Nov. 5, she allegedly allowed her students to draw with water-based markers on six classmates’ faces who failed to reach a reading goal, state records show. Students also had the option of staying in at recess. It was intended as a reading incentive for students. In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, she agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Required to complete within six months: a literature review with a minimum of seven sources on “effective motivational strategies for elementary students,” develop an implementation plan of best practices for “creating safe and effective motivational classroom climate” and submit both to the Cassia County School District superintendent for review prior to sending to the state. ATHENA LORENE MASK School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: Mask allegedly verbally informed a school district administrator she was resigning from her teaching job, but the district didn’t release her in writing “or otherwise,” according to state documents. Disciplinary action: Letter of reprimand, requirement to complete an ethics course before submitting an application for renewal of certificate. REBECCA A. PENN School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: Penn, a special education teacher at Robert Stuart Middle School, allegedly hit a student in the face with an open hand; forcibly grabbed one or more students; used a frozen washcloth to scrub a student’s face, which left marks; made a student remain in soiled pants; and force-fed students, according to state records. Penn voluntarily surrendered her teaching certificate in November 2013. Disciplinary action: Revoked teaching certificate. CARL M. VAN VALKENBURG School district: Twin Falls Ethics complaint: Valkenburg allegedly “used inappropriate physical force and called a student a bastard during an attempt to address inappropriate behavior by the student,” according to state records. He voluntarily surrendered his teaching certificate in June 2014. Disciplinary action: Suspended teaching certificate indefinitely, pending completion of any remedial training or coursework identified by the state’s director of professional standards and certification. 2015 TERRY SCOTT ROTHAMER School district: North Valley Academy (Gooding) Ethics complaint: Rothamer allegedly failed to “fully respond” to the Professional Standards Commission’s request to submit documentation within 30 days to clarify results of a background check, according to state documents. In lieu of proceeding with formal disciplinary action, he agreed the ethics commission could enter a final order. Disciplinary action: Letter of reprimand.
