Two former metro area teachers could potentially lose their North Dakota teaching licenses, as the Education Standards and Practices Board hears their cases today at the capitol building in Bismarck.
Steve Carlson, who taught Western civilization at Fargo's South High School, and Mavis Tjon, who taught music at Westside, Eastwood and L.E. Berger elementary schools in West Fargo, have both requested to have their cases dismissed or delayed.
Both say the actions taken by their school boards were improper and made with unproven or false information.
Tjon was suspended and later fired last December for allegedly slapping a third-grader on the head after the student failed to follow directions during a classroom exercise at Westside.
In a letter to West Fargo Human Resources Director Robin Hill, Tjon characterized the contact as tapping the student on the right side of the head with her fingers.
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Carlson was let go by the Fargo School District late this spring shortly after a marathon closed hearing in which the School Board voted not to renew his contract. A letter from Assistant Superintendent Dan Huffman stated that Carlson failed to meet standards for organization and preparation, curriculum delivery, communication and student relations.
Carlson, who had worked in Fargo for 12 years, disputes those assertions.
Carlson said in a letter to ESPB Executive Director Janet Welk that non-renewal of his contract is not grounds for losing his license. He said no written and signed complaint was filed against him, so he cannot reply to specific charges.
"There's no legal basis for any inquiry into my license... I wasn't fired. I wasn't accused of any misconduct. I was just dismissed," Carlson said Wednesday. "I haven't (violated a law) and I haven't even been accused of doing so. What am I replying to, implied allegations?"
In a letter to the ESPB, Tjon's lawyer Al Baker said no evidence was presented to prove his client intended to hurt the student or violate school policy in the Oct. 5 incident. His letter disputes whether the School Board's findings of conduct unbecoming of a teacher and insubordination are supported by law.
Baker also asked the ESPB to delay hearing the case until a breach of contract lawsuit filed by Tjon against the board is resolved. The lawsuit was filed in Cass County District Court.
Tjon said Wednesday that she didn't wish to comment now and referred questions to Baker.
"I'm optimistic for my client's position overall. We're just waiting to hear from the (ESPB on) how they want to proceed," Baker said.
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Readers can reach Forum reporter Helmut Schmidt at (701) 241-5583
