Important BSD Headlines 4/24/26
1. Allegations Against BHS Science Teacher, Calan Taylor, Unsubstantiated:
Mr. Taylor was accused of misconduct in September and placed on paid administrative leave by the superintendent, three days after he had filed a union grievance. Three separate investigations were completed by different agencies – the Bandon Police, OTIS (Oregon Department of Human Services Office of Training, Investigations and Safety), and TSPC (Teachers Standards and Practices Commission). The investigations unanimously concluded that the allegations against Mr. Taylor were wholly unsubstantiated and no disciplinary action is warranted. Nevertheless, it is uncertain when Mr. Taylor will be reinstated into the classroom because the superintendent has threatened to launch a fourth investigation into Mr. Taylor at district expense. That would be unprecedented because the three agencies that independently investigated the allegations are considered the ultimate adjudicators of these kinds of cases. Physical sciences and chemistry students at BHS have suffered through 7 months without a qualified teacher since Mr. Taylor was put on paid leave.
2. TSPC Launches Investigation into Complaints Against the Superintendent:
The board dismissed four serious complaints against the superintendent at the March board meeting pertaining to constructive termination of employees, improper asbestos abatement, and misuse of public funds. Those complaints have since been escalated to the Teachers Standards and Practices Commission, the state agency that oversees licensing for educators and administrators. TSPC has reportedly now begun an investigation into these complaints. If misconduct is proven, TSPC has the power to suspend or revoke the superintendent’s license based on the severity of the violation.
3. Third-Party Investigation Begins into Complaints Against the Superintendent:
The board has finally begun a third-party investigation into complaints against the superintendent, but it’s a watered-down version that will only consider two of the six original complaints they voted to investigate last December. One of the complaints is a constructive termination complaint filed by former teacher Caleb Kruse against the superintendent. The other is a formal complaint filed by BEA against the superintendent for hostile and retaliatory workplace concerns.
4. Board Slow-Walks New Formal Complaints, Violates District Policy:
Six formal complaints were submitted to the board in March. The board has yet to respond to any of them. This is in direct violation of the district’s complaint policy, which stipulates that the board must decide on a course of action within 20 days of receiving a formal complaint and issue a final written response within 30 days. All the March complaints are now overdue for a final response by two weeks or more. The board chair said in an email statement this week that the complaints will not be addressed until the next board meeting in May, further delaying the process. Complainants have requested the board recognize this violation of district policy and hold a special work session to address the complaints before the May meeting.