PELSB suspends William R. Jackson’s teaching license for two years after ethics committee recommendation

The Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board voted Dec. 12 to adopt findings of fact, conclusions of law and a final order suspending William R. Jackson’s teaching license for two years.

Erin Farmer, counsel for the educator ethics committee, told the board the committee filed a motion for summary disposition after reviewing the contested-case record and the administrative law judge’s recommendation. Farmer said the record shows Jackson “repeatedly violated professional boundaries with students” and that recordings included “derogatory and inflammatory language and stereotypes based on race, ethnicity, and gender.” The committee requested a minimum two‑year suspension conditioned on completion of cultural‑competency, social‑emotional training and 12 hours of anti‑bias counseling addressing gender and racial bias.

Nathan Hartshorn, the board’s advising attorney, reminded members that their decision must be based exclusively on evidence in the record and that they may incorporate the ALJ’s report by reference, but must independently evaluate the evidence if they deviate from the ALJ’s recommendation.

Board members moved to closed session to deliberate. When the board returned to open session Chair Lucy Payne announced the board had adopted findings and a final order suspending Jackson’s license for two years and described that the board had approved multiple other disciplinary actions under consent orders.

The board’s written final order will be mailed to both parties. Hartshorn emphasized the requirement that any final decision include findings of fact and conclusions of law reflecting the board’s independent evaluation of the record.