Dr. Paul Begley

The Ontario College of Teachers brought discipline proceedings against a school principal, alleging professional misconduct and incompetence for failing to adequately respond to a student's escalating aggressive and sexually inappropriate behaviour.

The student's classroom teacher and parents had reported numerous incidents to the school's vice-principal and social worker.

The majority of the Discipline Committee dismissed the charges, finding that the principal met the minimum standard of performance and was not informed of the full extent of the problem until late in the school year, at which point he took immediate action.

A dissenting member would have found the principal guilty of professional misconduct for failing to proactively supervise his inexperienced vice-principal and failing to act in a timely manner.