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EDUCATOR
LICENSING:
DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS
AGAINST
LICENSED VERMONT EDUCATORS
(Updated 10/19/07) |
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In accordance with Title 16 of Vermont Statutes Annotated Chapter 51, a licensed educator may be subject to a licensing action against his or her educator’s license for engaging in unprofessional conduct or for being found incompetent. A licensing action means any action that suspends, revokes, limits or conditions licensure or certification in any way, including warnings, reprimands, probations and administrative penalties.
Licensing actions imposed against educators are quite complex. The need for taking licensing action may serve different purposes depending on the facts of the particular case. In some cases, licensing discipline serves a critical deterrent purpose where misconduct on the part of the educator places students in physical or emotional jeopardy. Other cases may involve competence issues or minor misconduct where rehabilitation is both possible and desirable. Further, each case may contain either aggravating or mitigating factors - sometimes both in the same case - that must be considered. The reader should view the following in that context.
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PERTINENT
LAWS AND REGULATIONS
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Educator licensing is
governed by both Vermont statutes and Vermont State Board of Education rules. Pertinent
sections of these documents are cited below.
Vermont Statutes
16 V.S.A., Chapter 51 establishes a board of professional educators to oversee the training, licensing, and professional standards of teachers and administrators and establishes hearing panels to determine compliance with those standards to help assure high caliber professionals and high quality public educational programs for Vermont students.
State Board of Education Rules
Rule
series 5100, “Licensing Regulations”
(PDF*), outlines the Standards Board for Professional Educator’s process to carry out its licensing authority. |
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MOST
RECENT SUSPENSIONS & REVOCATIONS (Updated 10/19/07)
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For ease of reference,
this section lists the three most recent disciplinary actions. This list includes
disciplinary actions that have been taken; it does not include cases on appeal. The
voluntary surrender of a license by an educator during an investigation or disciplinary
proceeding has the same force and effect as the revocation of a license. |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Richard A. Foster (Added 10/19/07) |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Bradford, Vermont |
| School: |
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Bradford Elementary School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, K-6 Elementary Education
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| Grounds: |
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Allegations of sexually assaulting male students, manufacturing child pornography, lewd and lascivious conduct with children, and attempting to lure a child |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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October 13 , 2007 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Alexander R. Kepler |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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West Glover, Vermont |
| School: |
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Albany Community School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, Elementary Educaton
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| Grounds: |
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Allegation of striking a student with an open hand |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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15 day suspension of educator’s license, with a condition for reinstatement |
| Date of Action: |
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August 27, 2007 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Michael A. Martin |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Hartford, Vermont |
| School: |
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Windsor High School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, PreK-12 Music
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| Grounds: |
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Allegation of inappropriate contact with a student |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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August 10, 2007 |
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LIST OF SUSPENSIONS & REVOCATIONS SINCE JANUARY 1, 2000 (Alphabetical by Last Name) (Updated 10/19/07)
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The following is a
list of educators who have been subjected to disciplinary action since January 1,
2000. This list includes disciplinary actions that have been taken; it does not include
cases on appeal.
The voluntary
surrender of a license by an educator during an investigation or disciplinary proceeding
has the same force and effect as the revocation of a license.
A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
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A
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| Name of Licensee: |
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David C. Allen |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Morrisville, Vermont |
| School: |
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Woodbury Elementary School; Franklin Elementary School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, Pre K-12 Music |
| Grounds: |
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Sexual contact with two female students; Driving under the influence of alcohol, in a careless and negligent manner, while his driver’s license was suspended (related criminal charges); Violation of conditions of release prohibiting alcohol consumption (related criminal charges).
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| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation |
| Date of Action: |
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August 16, 2005 |
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B
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Alan H. Baker |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Shaftsbury, Vermont |
| School: |
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Southwest Vermont Career Development Center |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Type A (Apprenticeship License), 9-12 Technical Professional (Horticulture)
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| Grounds: |
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Accessing child pornography on school computer |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation |
| Date of Action: |
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September 20, 2006 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Jean M. Bass |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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South Hero, Vermont |
| School: |
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Colchester High School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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School Nurse |
| Grounds: |
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Allegations of misconduct
in relation to service as chaperone on student trip |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender
of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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March 7, 2001 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Raymond Claude Bouchard |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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St. Albans, Vermont |
| School: |
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Northwest Technical Center |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, Trades and
Industry - Automotive Mechanics |
| Grounds: |
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Slapped student |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Suspension (partially
retroactive) (November 15, 2001 until conditions for reinstatement are met) |
| Date of Action: |
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August 14, 2002 |
| Reinstatement: |
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April 29, 2005 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Richard P. Bugbee,
Jr. |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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St. Albans, Vermont |
| School: |
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Essex High School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, 7-12 Mathematics |
| Grounds: |
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Allegations of sexual
relationship with student, with related criminal charges |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender
of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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October 22, 2003 |
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C
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Elizabeth R. Carbonneau |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Danville, Vermont |
| School: |
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Walden School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level I, K-6 Elementary Education
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| Grounds: |
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Convicted of domestic assault, driving while intoxicated, and violation of conditions of release |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Two week suspension to be served while school is in session (suspension is suspended for a two year period commencing December 26, 2006) |
| Date of Action: |
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April 10, 2007 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Ronald M. Conry |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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Bethel, Vermont |
| School: |
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Bridport Central School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, Principal |
| Grounds: |
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Inappropriate romantic
relationship with out-of-state student |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender
of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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January 10, 2002 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Tiffany L. Copley |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Richford, Vermont |
| School: |
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Enosburg Middle/High School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Educators License, K-Age 21 Special Education |
| Grounds: |
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Sexual relations with two fifteen year old male students (criminal charges pending); Sexual relations with a seventeen year old male student; Furnishing alcohol to a minor |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation |
| Date of Action: |
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June 13, 2005 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Christopher S. Cosgrove |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Rutland, Vermont |
| School: |
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Rutland Middle School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, 7-12 Social Studies
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| Grounds: |
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While employed as a social studies teacher during the 2005-2006 school year, drew on the face of an 8th grade student who had fallen asleep in class |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Three day suspension while school is in session, with conditions |
| Date of Action: |
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May 8, 2007 |
| Reinstatement: |
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May 11, 2007 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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James T. Cournoyer |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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Winooski, Vermont |
| School: |
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Mt. Mansfield Union High
School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, 7-12 Science
Level II, K-12 Principal |
| Grounds: |
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Allegations of accessing
pornography on a school computer |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender
of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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May 12, 2004 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Lance A. Coyle |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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South Barre, Vermont |
| School: |
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Barre City Elementary
and Middle School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, 7-12 Physical
Education |
| Grounds: |
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Kissed student |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Suspension (one month
beginning May 14, 2003) |
| Date of Action: |
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May 14, 2003 |
| Reinstatement: |
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June 14, 2003 |
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| Name
of Licensee: |
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Jennifer L. Cushman |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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Winooski, Vermont |
| School: |
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Winooski High School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level I, 7-12 Social
Studies |
| Grounds: |
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Allegations of smoking
marijuana with students, DUI, and leaving the scene of an accident, with related
criminal charges |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender
of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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October 29, 2001 |
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D
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Thomas D. Darling |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Bristol, Vermont |
| School: |
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Hinesburg Community School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, 7-12 English and Social Studies
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| Grounds: |
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Violated English teaching competencies; distributed excerpt of his writings to students which contained profanity and content of a sexual nature which may have been inappropriate for some students and assigned them the task of providing him with critical feedback |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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One week suspension with conditions |
| Date of Action: |
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August 14, 2006 |
| Reinstatement: |
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August 21, 2006 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Gabriele A. Davis |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Brookfield, Vermont |
| School: |
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Union Elementary School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, K- through age 21 Special Educator
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| Grounds: |
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Inappropriate behavioral intervention causing injury |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Three-day suspension to be served while school is in session (June 15, 16 and 19, 2006) |
| Date of Action: |
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June 15, 2006 |
| Reinstatement: |
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June 20, 2006 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Kimberly T. Dawson |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Middlesex, New Jersey |
| School: |
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N/A |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, PreK-12 Art
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| Grounds: |
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Currently not in good standing with respect to taxes due the State of Vermont |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Suspension until such time as the Vermont Department of Taxes issues a certificate of good standing with respect to taxes due the State of Vermont |
| Date of Action: |
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April 10, 2007 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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David R. Deuso |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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Rouses Point, New York |
| School: |
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Berkshire Elementary
and Franklin Elementary (not recently employed in a Vermont school) |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, K-12 Physical
Education |
| Grounds: |
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Convicted of lewd and
lascivious conduct with a minor |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation |
| Date of Action: |
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May 15, 2001 |
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F (Updated 10/19/07)
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Richard A. Foster (Added 10/19/07) |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Bradford, Vermont |
| School: |
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Bradford Elementary School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, K-6 Elementary Education
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| Grounds: |
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Allegations of sexually assaulting male students, manufacturing child pornography, lewd and lascivious conduct with children, and attempting to lure a child |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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October 13 , 2007 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Erin E. Fuller |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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Newbury, Vermont |
| School: |
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Oxbow Union High School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level I, K-12 Music |
| Grounds: |
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Allegations of sexual
relationship with student |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender
of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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April 29, 2002 |
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G
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| Name of Licensee: |
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John Brent Garrow |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Enosburg Falls, Vermont |
| School: |
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Enosburg Elementary School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, K-12 Principal |
| Grounds: |
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Inappropriate physical contact with 18 year old individual out-of-state and furnishing alcohol to the same individual |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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May 2, 2005 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Timothy O. Garrow |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Irasburg, Vermont |
| School: |
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People's Academy (last employed during 2003-2004 school year) |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level I, 7-12 Driver Education
Level I, 7-12 Social Studies |
| Grounds: |
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Inappropriate comments to students |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Two month suspension in the event that educator's license is renewed (currently not licensed) to commence upon issuance of license, with conditions of reinstatement. |
| Date of Action: |
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December 1, 2005 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Robert J. Gerardi (Robert J. Gerardi, Sr.) |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Underhill, Vermont |
| School: |
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Essex Town School District |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, K-12 Superintendent |
| Grounds: |
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Accessing and printing pornography on supervisory union/district computer |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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February 9, 2005 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Nan Gwin |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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Randolph, Vermont |
| School: |
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Northfield Middle School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, Teacher of
Handicapped, Secondary Diversified Occupations Programs (other endorsements not affected
by disciplinary action) |
| Grounds: |
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Substandard performance
in the area of special education |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Suspension of endorsement
for two years, with any subsequent work in the field of special education to be pursuant
to a monitoring and reporting plan approved by commissioner |
| Date of Action: |
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December 9, 2003 |
| Date of Reinstatement: |
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December 9, 2005 |
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H
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Janet N. Haley |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Littleton, New Hampshire |
| School: |
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The St. Johnsbury School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level I, K-12 Principal
Level I, K-12 Superintendent
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| Grounds: |
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Exceeded parental permission for a two hour interview of a 12 year old child in a criminal matter. Engaged in a twenty minute pinky promise with this student which caused pain and acted as a restraint. Ignored St. Johnsbury School protocol for potentially suicidal students, detained a potentially suicidal student and yelled at the student off and on for twenty minutes and used profanity. |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Suspended with conditions retroactively for five months beginning December 10, 2005 |
| Date of Action: |
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September 19, 2006 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Charles R. Hess, Jr. |
| Town of Residence at Time of Action: |
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Morrisville, Vermont |
| School: |
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Green Mountain Technology and Career Center; Peoples Academy |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level I, 7-12 Driver Education
Level II, 9-12 Trades and Industry
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| Grounds: |
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DUI charge and civil suspension of driver’s license |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Suspension with conditions for reinstatement (May 31, 2006 - June 13, 2006 and one year suspension of his driver’s education endorsement commencing at the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year) |
| Date of Action: |
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May 22, 2006 |
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Brian L. Hiebert |
| Town of Residence
at Time of Action: |
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North Pomfret, Vermont |
| School: |
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Williamstown Middle/High
School |
License Type/
Endorsement(s): |
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Level II, K-12 Special
Education
Level II, 7-12 Science |
| Grounds: |
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Allegations of accessing
pornography on a school computer |
| Disciplinary Action: |
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Revocation (Surrender
of License) |
| Date of Action: |
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November 14, 2003 |
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K
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| Name of Licensee: |
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Alexander R. Keple | |