Pubdate: Fri, 19 Nov 2004
Source: Sault Star, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2004 The Sault Star
Contact:  http://www.saultstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1071
Author: Elaine Della-Mattia, The Sault Star

TRUSTEES, COLLEGE OF TEACHERS AWARE OF ALLEGATIONS

The disciplinary arm of the Ontario College of Teachers "is aware" of the
case involving former St. Basil teacher Scott Logan.

The Ontario College of Teachers, regulatory arm for teaching licences
in the province, can conduct an investigation and impose disciplinary
action against teachers for what it deems professional misconduct.

Lois Browne, media spokesperson at the Toronto-based OCT, said that
"the college is aware of the case" reported earlier this week by The
Sault Star.

The case involves a 17-year-old youth being convicted of selling drugs
to a teacher who had been supply teaching at St. Basil Secondary School.

Legislation prevents Browne from commenting on whether or not the
college is involved in an investigation into the matter and/or the
status of any investigations that may have been launched.

Investigations are not made public until a disciplinary hearing date
is set, Browne said.

"At that point, the hearing date is put on our website and the outcome
of that hearing is also public and would be put on our website," she
said.

Currently, there is no hearing scheduled into accusations that teacher
Scott Logan purchased narcotics from a 17-year-old.

An investigating officer in the case had said police officers had no
basis to charge the teacher.

Huron-Superior District Catholic School Board director of education
Cecile Somme said that she consulted and reported the allegations
about the supply teacher to the college of teachers and the board of
trustees.

"I always make the board and the college aware of all allegations,"
she said. "It's not a must that we inform them, it depends on the
allegations and infractions."

Browne said that any member of the public can report allegations of
possible professional misconduct to the OCT but "school boards are
obliged to report to the college" under fairly recent changes to the
legislation.

The board conducts its own investigation and recommendations are
forwarded to the investigation committee.

A decision is then made on how to proceed with the matter. In some
cases, dispute resolutions are agreed, preventing public hearings from
being held.
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MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin