10 teachers disciplined in 3 years; Sex-related issues range from porn at school to abuse (OR)
Catherine
10 teachers disciplined in 3 years
Sex-related issues range from porn at school to abuse
by Tracy Loew, Statesman Journal
October 21, 2007
The Salem-Keizer community was shaken during the winter of 2004-05, when
popular middle-school band teacher Joe Billera was arrested and subsequently
convicted of manipulating four middle school students into having sex with
him.
The ordeal was particularly painful because some students and parents said
they had complained about Billera for years, but nothing was done.
But Billera was just one of at least 10 Salem-Keizer teachers disciplined
for or convicted of inappropriate sexual conduct -- ranging from
inappropriate use of school computers to child rape -- during the past three
years.
-- Harry Nelson: The former Parrish Middle School teacher currently is under
investigation by the Oregon Teacher Standards and Practices Commission after
his May arrest during an undercover sting targeting illegal sexual activity
in a state park. Nelson resigned in June.
-- Paul Mayhew: In August the former McNary High School choir director was
reprimanded for failing to maintain an appropriate student-teacher
relationship. He was removed from the classroom in November 2006 after a
parent found numerous personal text messages from Mayhew on her 17-year-old
son's cell phone. Mayhew resigned in lieu of termination in December 2006.
-- Lisa Stitt: In August the former McNary High School social studies
teacher lost her license for failing to maintain a professional
student-teacher relationship with two male McNary students. Stitt resigned
in April 2006 following a police investigation. Police determined no crime
had occurred.
-- Leonard Hackett: In August 2006, the former Claggett Creek Middle School
social studies teacher had his license suspended for 90 days, followed by
four years of probation, for using his school computer to access sexually
explicit material. He resigned in lieu of termination in April 2006.
-- Alan Coorts: In June 2006, the former Crossler Middle School
special-education teacher had his license permanently revoked after being
convicted of sexually abusing one of his male students. He is serving 75
months in prison.
-- Noah Harouff: In June 2006, the former McKay High School Spanish teacher
had his license permanently revoked after being convicted of first-degree
sex abuse involving an underage relative. He is serving four years in
prison.
-- Travis Culley: In November 2005, the former Sprague High School chemistry
teacher had his license suspended for failing to maintain a professional
student-teacher relationship with several male and female students over four
years.
-- George Deines: In April 2005, the former North Salem High School ROTC
teacher's license was revoked after he pleaded no contest in 2003 to a
harassment charge for alleged offensive physical contact with a student.
-- Kenneth Cushing: In January 2005, the former Salem-Keizer teacher had his
license revoked for alleged sexual conduct with a student.