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Dispute Resolution Program

The College uses Dispute Resolution (DR) to facilitate the resolution of some complaints against members. DR is voluntary and without prejudice to the parties. Outcomes arising from this process are similar in scope and nature to those expected following an investigation or hearing.

The College monitors compliance with all agreements reached through DR.

Member: Wayne Douglas Hopkins
Registration Number: 131429
Decision: Undertaking not to teach for one academic school year

Following notification by the Near North District School Board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against Wayne Douglas Hopkins, a principal, alleging that he had committed fraud and forgery with respect to school board funds.

On November 26, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • admitted the allegations
  • agreed not to seek or engage in employment where Certificates of Qualification and Registration are required for one school year
  • with respect to employment where Certificates of Qualification and Registration are required, agreed not to utilize the funds of any employer for personal purchases
  • agreed to inform the Registrar of any criminal charges or disciplinary action arising from misuse of employer resources or fraud
  • agreed to a notation on the public register
  • agreed to publication of his name with a summary of the complaint and its resolution in Professionally Speaking, on the College web site and in the College's Margaret Wilson Library
  • agreed that the College would notify other education authorities and his employer of the complaint and its resolution.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that he had used inappropriate disciplinary measures with a student.

On September 24, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member agreed:

  • to be cautioned, in writing, by the Investigation Committee regarding his actions
  • to complete a course with respect to positive classroom management strategies within 90 days of ratification of the MOA
  • to provide the Registrar with written confirmation of successful completion of the classroom management course within 30 days of its completion
  • that the College shall notify his employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that he had used a school board computer to log onto an online dating service and to receive personal and sexually explicit electronic mail from an adult female who was not a student.

On April 16, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • admitted the allegations
  • agreed to be cautioned, in writing, by the Investigation Committee regarding his actions
  • agreed to provide written confirmation that he had completed a course regarding appropriate use of school board computers
  • agreed not to use any school board computers for non-teaching related purposes unless expressly authorized to do so by his employer
  • agreed to notify the Registrar of any future complaints to his employer of a similar nature to the events giving rise to the complaint
  • agreed that the College will notify his employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that she had not maintained appropriate boundaries with a male secondary school student.

On April 1, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which:

  • the member admitted the allegations
  • the parties acknowledged that the member had completed a course of instruction regarding maintaining appropriate boundaries with students
  • the parties acknowledged that the member provided the Registrar with a copy of a report by the practitioner who delivered the course of instruction indicating that the member recognized the need for teachers to establish and maintain teacher-student boundaries
  • the parties acknowledged that the member provided the Registrar with a report by a psychiatrist who had conducted an assessment of the member indicating that the member's return to the classroom would not pose risk of harm or injury to students or the school community
  • the member agreed to be cautioned in writing by the Investigation Committee regarding her actions
  • the member agreed to notify the Registrar of any subsequent complaints to her employer or criminal charges that are similar in nature to the events giving rise to this complaint
  • the member agreed to provide the Registrar with a copy of her next Teacher Performance Appraisal
  • the member agreed that the College will notify her current employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.

Member: Not identified
Decision: Cautioned by the Investigation Committee

Following notification by a school board, the Registrar initiated a complaint against a member of the College alleging that he had made inappropriate jokes and derogatory comments to students.

On April 1, 2004, the Investigation Committee ratified an MOA between the member and the College, in which the member:

  • admitted the allegations
  • agreed to be cautioned, in writing, by the Investigation Committee regarding his actions
  • agreed to complete a course of instruction by a practitioner, approved by the Registrar, regarding maintaining appropriate boundaries with students
  • agreed that the practitioner shall provide the Registrar with written confirmation as to whether the member recognizes the need for teachers to establish and maintain teacher-student boundaries and is able to engage in teaching duties without causing risk of harm or injury to students or the school community
  • agreed to provide the Registrar with a copy of his next Teacher Performance Appraisal
  • agreed that the College would notify his employer of the Investigation Committee's decision, including the MOA.
Glossary of terminology

The vocabulary used to report disciplinary hearings reflects their quasi-judicial nature. If you wonder what some terms mean, help is at hand.

For past and future reference, the College has posted a glossary of terms on its web site. A link to the glossary can be found on the decision-summary page.

Professionally Speaking reported the first College disciplinary hearings in the Blue Pages of its June 1998 edition. Summaries are also posted on the College web site.

When a matter is disposed of by the Discipline Committee, the name of the member is routinely published in Professionally Speaking. When a similar matter is dealt with through Dispute Resolution, publication of the member's name usually occurs.

When a matter is disposed of by the Investigation Committee or through Dispute Resolution at the investigation stage, and the result is a caution, the name of the member is not published. In these instances, the purpose of publication is to inform members and the public about the nature of the complaint and the standards of professionalism that members are expected to maintain.