Administrative judge upholds Michele Taylor's teaching suspension
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- An administrative law judge upheld the 12-month suspension of East Valley P.E. teacher Michele Taylor's teaching certificate following allegations of inappropriate contact with students.
In a decision issued August 21st, a Yakima judge ruled Michele Taylor could not return to the job for the 2012-2013 school year.
Taylor appealed the one-year suspension of her state teaching certificate imposed by the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.
"This is short of the termination that we requested," said East Valley School District's Attorney Michael Patterson. "But it is at least a recognition that what she did was inappropriate and justified good disciplinary action."
During the appeals hearing in May and June, the state called student witnesses who testified about seeing text messages that gave the impression Taylor was flirting.
Taylor was charged with first degree sexual misconduct for allegedly having sex with a student back in 2009. Court Documents say she texted two students about having sex with them.
One of those students came forward saying Taylor had sex with him in a k-mart parking lot.
A jury acquitted Taylor of all criminal charges in a 2010 trial but she still wasn't allowed back to work because the East Valley School District wanted her fired.
A hearing officer in 2010 ruled the school district didn't have enough evidence to fire her, but Washington State sought to suspend her teaching certificate anyway.
"There are concerns that were raised and we still have concerns but we will let the legal process play out," Patterson said.
Assistant Attorney General Anne Shaw said she's also happy with the judge's decision and is most happy that the judge got to hear testimony from students.
To get all sides, KIMA contacted Taylor and her attorney directly after the decision.
They both declined comment.
A spokesperson for OSPI said Michele Taylor has 10 days to file a petition for a judge to reconsider the case.
If she chooses not to file for reconsideration, then her one year suspension will begin 10 days following the ruling date.
According to court documents from the administrative judge, Taylor may have to complete training for issues of inappropriate interaction with students, and provide proof of that in order to have her teaching certificate reinstated.
She could even have to resubmit a new application.
Michele Taylor will remain on paid leave until the deadline to file the petition for reconsideration. Her attorney wouldn't comment on whether they plan to file.
If upheld a second time, Taylor would still have another 30 days to appeal for judicial review.
Oh one other thing I forgot to comment on that was not included in the official report was....Did student A and Student B conspire to ruin this teacher? Â Student A apparently reported that she admitted to the encounter with student B. Â Why would student A make such a claim? Â Student B only needed to deny it but he didn't. Â The reasonable doubt was a result of conflicting information he gave about when this happened. Â Maybe he changed the time frame to make it appear it happened before he was with the girl he didn't want to lose. Â I think the encounter happened but because he was not forthright there was reasonable doubt.Â
I was a teacher for 16 yrs and after reading the findings of the official decision I have no doubt that a very inappropriate relationship between this teacher and two students did occur. Â This is reasonable just by the sheer number of text messages and phone calls. Â I especially believe that "student A" wanted to discontinue this relationship and the teacher did not. Â The fact that her husband was unaware of the extent of this relationship tells me she had something to hide and knew he was not as understanding as the claim . Â She was very deceptive, choosing not to inform school officials or her husband when she said this students behavior became as she put it "raging mad, tanking or just falling apart". Â I also believe her over the top behavior as a supervisory counselor was a ruse for something totally different. Â I remember extensive training and had no doubt what defined appropriate and inappropriate contact with student so she had to of known she crossed the line. Â Frankly I'm surprised that she continues to only be on suspension (with pay I might add) since I would expect a total revocation of her teaching certification would have already taken place. Â Â Â
Paid (while on adminstrative leave) for(being accused)of having sex with a minor.......Hmmmmm I know of a teacher in Selah that was peeping at under aged students with a hidden camera and he was forced to leave.I am assuming that peeping is more heinous than (being accused) of having sex wih minor... or is it?????????