From August 2014 to May 2016, convicted bank robber Carol London was employed by Union Elementary District at the Dos Rios Elementary School in Tolleson, Arizona as a Special Education Teacher. In May 2016, London resigned from the District and headed to Georgia.
It wasn’t until after she left Arizona that the Arizona State Board of Education learned of London’s conviction and five year stint in federal prison. According to the SBE, London did not disclose the prior bank robbery conviction when she applied and received an Arizona Substitute certificate, which was set to expire on September 2017 and a Provisional Cross Categorical Special Education, K-12 certificate, which was set to expire on August 26, 2017.
She didn’t tell District officials of her prior criminal history either.
In June 2016, the Arizona State Board of Education Investigative Unit received notification from the Georgia Professional Standards Commission Ethics Division Investigation Unit regarding London’s pending certification application and arrest history disclosures.
“The Investigative Unit was informed that Ms. London had recently relocated and applied for certification in Georgia. Her application would require a review due to her prior criminal history, which included a 1989 Bank Robbery conviction and subsequent five-year federal incarceration,” notes the SBE September 26 meeting notes.
After London was advised that a complaint would be filed against her teaching certification, she chose to voluntarily surrender her certificate.
It is unclear how London was able to get teaching certificates in the first place. An appropriate background check, which would include fingerprinting, would have clearly shown her criminal past.
London was not the only educator whose teaching certificates came before the SBE on September 26. The SBE considered action on certificates held by johns, child molesters, and porn fans:
John Frank Todorich
John Frank Todorich held a Substitute certificate, which was scheduled to expire on July 1, 2099. He also held a Standard Secondary Education certificate, K-8 certificate and a Principal certificate, both of were scheduled to expire on July 6, 2018.
On September 10, 2012, Washington Elementary School District (“District”) notified the Arizona State Board of Education (“Board”) of allegations that Mr. Todorich was arrested on September 7, 2012, by Phoenix Police Department, on a charge of Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation. On September 7, 2012, Mr. Todorich was placed on administrative leave by the District.
On September 18, 2012, the Investigative Unit received an Arizona Department of Public Safety notification of suspension due to an arrest for Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation & Felony Molestation of a Child both of which are non-appealable offenses (ARS § 13-3554), in Phoenix, AZ; arresting agency was Phoenix Police Department.
Mr. Todorich subsequently surrendered all of his certificates and that surrender was approved at the January 27, 2014, State Board Meeting.
On or about June 8, 2016, John Frank Todorich was found guilty by an impaneled jury of three counts of Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, a Class three Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; one count of Transporting Persons for Purpose of Prostitution or Other Immoral Purpose, a Class five Felony; one count of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a Class two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; one count of Child Prostitution, a Class two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; one count of Attempt to Commit Child Prostitution, a Class three Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; and one count of Attempt to Commit Luring a Minor for Sexual Exploitation, a Class four Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children. Mr. Todorich was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and is committed to the Arizona Department of Corrections. He will be placed on lifetime probation upon release and required to register as a sex offender.
These convictions constitute unprofessional conduct pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550 and warrant the immediate and permanent revocation of his Arizona teaching certificate.
It was recommended, that pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, the State Board of Education permanently revoke any and all certificates held by John Frank Todorich, and that all states and territories be so notified.
The recommendation was accepted on a vote of the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda was passed unanimously.
Kenne Michael Worthen
Kenne Michael Worthen held a Provisional Elementary Education, 1-8 certificate, which expired on April 3, 2016.
On April 24, 2015, the Investigative Unit received an Arizona Department of Public Safety Notification of Suspension due to an arrest for Felony Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a non-appealable offenses (A.R.S. § 13-3554), in Phoenix, AZ; arresting agency was Phoenix Police Department.
On or about April 27, 2016, Kenne Michael Worthen was found guilty by an impaneled jury of one count of Sexual Conduct with a Minor, a Class two Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children; and two counts of Attempted Molestation of a Child, a Class three Felony and Dangerous Crime Against Children. On August 5, 2016, Mr. Worthen was sentenced to a term of imprisonment and is committed to the Arizona Department of Corrections. He will be placed on lifetime probation upon release and required to register as a sex offender.
These convictions constitute unprofessional conduct pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550 and warrant the immediate and permanent revocation of his Arizona teaching certificate.
It was recommended, that pursuant to A.R.S. § 15-550, the State Board of Education permanently revoke any and all certificates held by Kenne Michael Worthen, and that all states and territories be so notified.
The recommendation was accepted on a vote of the Consent Agenda. The Consent Agenda was passed unanimously.
Rogelio Hernandez
Rogelio Hernandez held a Guidance Counselor certificate and a Standard Secondary Education certificate, both of which expired on January 8, 2016.
On May 7, 2012, the Investigative Unit received a report from Tucson Unified School District (“District”) that during the thirty days preceding April 18, 2012, Mr. Hernandez used his district-issued computer to access pornographic websites for approximately eighteen hours. He submitted a letter of resignation on May 8, 2012.
On February 7, 2014, the Investigative Unit notified Mr. Hernandez that a complaint would be filed against his certificates. Mr. Hernandez entered into negotiations regarding a settlement agreement. He agreed to the terms of the proposed settlement agreement. The signed settlement agreement draft was received by the Investigative Unit on May 12, 2015.
On August 24, 2015, the State Board approved the proposed settlement agreement, which called for the suspension of Mr. Hernandez’s certificates through the expiration date of January 8, 2016, with conditions.
On or about February 26, 2016, Mr. Hernandez applied for renewal of his certificate(s).
On May 11, 2016, Mr. Hernandez was notified via mail that his application would require a PPAC review due to the disciplinary action taken against his teaching credentials by the State Board and he was asked to submit additional materials. On July 11, 2016, the Investigative Unit received the requested materials from Mr. Hernandez. Mr. Hernandez has met the conditions as noted in the settlement agreement.
The Professional Practices Advisory Committee, at its August 16, 2016 meeting, recommended by a vote of 4 to 0, that the Board approve Hernandez’s application for renewal of his Guidance Counselor, K-12, and Standard Secondary Education, 7-12, certificates.
It was recommended that the Board adopt the PPAC recommendation to approve Hernandez’s application for renewal of his Guidance Counselor, K-12, and Standard Secondary Education, 7-12 certificates.
SBE Vice President Carter made a motion, seconded by Member Taylor to approve the recommendations of the Professional Practices Advisory Committee to approve the certifications of Rogelio A. Hernandez. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed 6-2, with Superintendent Douglas and Member Schmidt voting no.