Central Linn school chief denies charge.

Byline: Karen McCowan The Register-Guard

HALSEY - Central Linn School Superintendent Max Harrell said Friday that he will appeal a charge of misconduct issued last week by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

Harrell said the charge stemmed mainly from a complaint filed with the commission by a local group, "Caring Citizens for Kids and the Community," over the Oregon licensure status of a former Central Linn High School principal hired by the district in April 2002. The group has posted on its Web site a copy of a letter it received from the commission announcing that the agency had investigated the charges and "concluded there was sufficient evidence to charge (Harrell) with misconduct in violation of the Standards for Competent and Ethical Performance of Oregon Educators."

Harrell said it was "unfortunate" that the letter to Caring Citizens was not more explicit about the nature of his alleged offenses. "An ethics violation sounds like something horrendous," he said.

Harrell said he signed the employment contract with the principal, Ed Sansom, in April 2002 based on Sansom's holding of an Idaho administrative certificate and his stated intention to obtain the Oregon equivalent.

Sansom worked for the district as an interim principal for one month in May through early June, then started work as principal for the 2002-03 school year before receiving his Oregon administrative license in September. Sansom has since become a principal in the Lebanon School District.

Harrell said the school district's attorney will argue that commission records indicate that they have issued licenses retroactively in other cases.

He added that Caring Citizens' complaint to the commission also focused on the assignment of a classified employee to teach a drama class and a video production class.

Harrell said the assignment was made in 2000-01, before he became superintendent, but continued under his watch even though he had noted it as a problem and asked a building principal to assign a certified teacher to oversee the course.

In a statement posted on its Web site, Caring Citizens said it is "concerned for the safety and welfare of students and staff regarding several serious issues that compelled us to file the formal complaint with TSPC. With TSPC finding merit in the complaint, we feel that the process is moving in a positive direction and to say anything more would be speculation."

Commission spokeswoman Melody Hanson declined to comment on the case, except to confirm that Harrell's attorney has requested a hearing.

If the commission upholds the charges, Harrell could face sanctions ranging from a public reprimand to probation or license revocation, she said.