Teacher ethics committee recommends reprimand for false marks

The Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation’s (STF) professional ethics committee recommended a reprimand for a Regina teacher recently found guilty of professional misconduct.

The recommendation was heard by the STF’s executive committee at a penalty hearing for Cory Britton on Friday. The executive committee’s final decision was made behind closed doors.

Britton was the outgoing viceprincipal and senior boys’ basketball coach at Regina’s Campbell Collegiate in July 2014 when he submitted false grades to the Ministry of Education. The grades were for five students, all of whom were in Grade 12.

Regina Public Schools has refused to say whether the students graduated.

At an ethics hearing last month, Saskatchewan Teachers’ Federation lawyer Dennis Fisher said Britton bumped up two students’ failing grades to 50 per cent, and assigned three other students grades in courses they hadn’t taken. The education ministry discovered the discrepancies, then informed the school division.

Fisher said Britton didn’t deny changing the marks, but had an explanation for his actions. That explanation is contained in an affidavit the STF has refused to release.

An STF ethics committee found Britton’s actions constituted professional misconduct.

After leaving Campbell Collegiate, Britton moved on to become vice-principal of Thom Collegiate until late September 2014, when the school division said his employment ended.