Section 233.115. Notice and hearings

(a) Written notice. Upon determination to initiate hearing procedures, section 13(a) of the act (24 P. S. § 2070.13(a)) requires the Department, within 30 days, to send a written notice to the affected educator and to the governing board of the school entity in which the educator is or was last employed. The notice will be treated by the Commission as an order to show cause under 1 Pa. Code § 35.14 (relating to orders to show cause). The notice should contain a statement of the particulars of the charges against the educator, the right of the educator to respond and to request a hearing within 30 days after service of the notice of charges, and the right of the governing body of the school entity in which the educator is or was last employed to intervene under section 13(c)(4) of the act and 1 Pa. Code § 35.28 (relating to eligibility to intervene).

(b) Docket number and notice. After the Department files a copy of the notice of charges with the Commission, the Commission will immediately establish a docket number. The Commission will provide notice thereof to the Department, the educator and the governing board of the school entity by which the affected educator is or was last employed. The Commission will also provide to the governing board a copy of the notice of charges and will inform the governing board of its opportunity to file a petition to intervene under section 13(c)(4) of the act and 1 Pa. Code § 35.28.

(c) Failure to respond.

(1) If the educator fails to timely respond to the notice of charges, the educator is deemed in default under 1 Pa. Code § 35.37 (relating to answers to orders to show cause), and the Commission may, upon motion of any party, deem admitted the relevant facts stated in the notice of charges and proceed to consideration of discipline based upon the admitted facts and exhibits, if any, to the notice of charges.

(2) The Commission will not in these cases appoint a hearing officer or hold a hearing unless the Commission determines that the appointment of a hearing officer is necessary for the Commission to decide the matter. In these cases, the Commission will determine the scope of the hearing officer’s authority.

(3) The Executive Director will provide notice to the parties of the meeting at which the Commission intends to consider the matter.

(d) Right to an evidentiary hearing.

(1) If the educator timely responds in writing to the notice of charges by specifically admitting or denying the allegations of the notice of charges, setting forth the facts upon which the educator relies, and stating concisely the matters of law relied upon in compliance with 1 Pa. Code § 35.37, the Commission will appoint a hearing officer to conduct proceedings in accordance with the act, 1 Pa. Code Part II (relating to General Rules of Administrative Practice and Procedure) and other rules which the Commission might prescribe.

(2) If the educator timely responds in writing to the notice of charges but expressly waives the right to an evidentiary hearing under section 13(c)(3) of the act or fails to comply with 1 Pa. Code § 35.37, the Commission may appoint a hearing officer to conduct the proceedings as the Commission or its legal counsel might direct or, upon motion of a participant, the Commission may proceed directly to consider the matter of discipline based upon the notice of charges, the response to the notice of charges and other documents as might be part of the formal record.

(e) Review of notice. Whenever the Commission has determined, after review of the notice of charges and a certified copy of the verdict, judgment or sentence that an educator has been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude or a crime listed in section 111(e)(1)—(3) of the Public School Code of 1949 (24 P. S. § 1-111(e)(1)—(3)), the Commission will direct the Department to revoke the educator’s certificates or employment eligibility in accordance with section 9.2(a)(2) of the act (24 P. S. § 2070.9b(a)(2)). In determining whether a crime involves moral turpitude, the Commission may elect to consider the matter directly or may appoint a hearing officer to assist with disposition of the case.

The provisions of this § 233.115 adopted May 3, 2002, effective May 4, 2002, 32 Pa.B. 2226; amended September 11, 2015, effective September 12, 2015, 45 Pa.B. 5586. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (289673) to (289675).

Notation

Cross References

This section cited in 22 Pa. Code § 233.113 (relating to disciplinary proceedings).