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PELSB adopts multiple license sanctions; revokes substitute license of Steven Williams
Summary
The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board adopted findings and orders in closed session Aug. 15, revoking the short-call substitute license of Steven Dwight Williams after an Administrative Law Judge found him in default; the board also enacted suspensions and denials for several other applicants.
The Minnesota Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board on Aug. 15 adopted a series of disciplinary orders following closed-session deliberations, including the revocation of Steven Dwight Williams' short-call substitute teaching license.
At an open hearing portion, Assistant Attorney General Carly Rasmussen, representing the educator ethics committee, told the board she was "requesting on behalf of the committee an order revoking Mister Williams' short call substitute teaching license," summarizing allegations that included inappropriate statements and physical conduct toward students and saying the record includes a filmed reenactment of George Floyd's murder and that the Administrative Law Judge found Mr. Williams in default.
Board advising attorney Nathan Hartshorn reminded members that, although the factual statements are treated as proven because of the default, the board still must independently apply the law and explain any significant deviation from the ALJ's recommendation. The board then moved to a closed session to deliberate and returned to report the outcomes.
In its public report the board said it adopted findings of fact, conclusions of law and an order revoking Stephen (Steven) Williams' teaching license and announced additional actions taken in closed session: denial of Gary Alwin's renewal application; a two-year state suspension for Georgina Kowalczyk; a five-year suspension for Justin Lorfad; automatic revocation of Devon Long's license; a one-year suspension for Jerome Knowles; denial of Mentona Delistelli's renewal; two-year suspensions for Thomas Matulawski and Cheryl Schoenfeld; and revocation of Wayne Wallace's license. The board indicated written orders and notice will be mailed to the parties.
The board did not discuss vote tallies during the public report. Counsel reminded members that the board's written decision must state findings of fact and conclusions of law and that members must disqualify themselves if they have actual bias or a disqualifying relationship.
The board's action follows a contested-case proceeding at the Office of Administrative Hearings in which the judge recommended discipline; for Mr. Williams the judge recommended accepting the alleged facts as established because Mr. Williams did not appear to contest the matter. The board's written orders will detail the formal basis for each sanction and will be sent to the parties by mail.
