News : Former Union Middle School Science Teacher License Suspended

Former Union Community School District science middle school teacher and coach, Mark Hookham, has had his teaching license suspended or revoked for a minimum of five years following a misconduct investigation, according to the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners.

Notes from the board refer to section 25.3(1)(e)(4) of the Iowa Standards of Professional Conduct and Ethics. This section refers to "soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student."

The order from the board dated February 18th resulted in the minimum five-year suspension of Mark Hookham's teaching license. Hookham also received $15,000 from the school district on April 5, 2021, as part of his resignation agreement and as part of the severance agreement, Hookham received his regular wages and benefits until the end of the school year.

The settlement resulted from a complaint that the board received on March 3, 2021. An alleged violation of the code of ethics was presented via a set of emails that were first brought to the attention of the Union Community School District in December 2020. The complaint resulted in Hookham being placed on paid leave.

According to Hookham's contract, he must continue to receive full pay and insurance benefits until his contract termination was complete. Also part of the separation agreement says that if the district was contacted in the future for a reference by any possible employers the district would only offer dates of employment.

Hookham has not been charged with any crime at the state level during this investigation.

The board did find probable cause to bring the complaints to a hearing based on their investigation. It was decided that Hookham had multiple inappropriate communications and interactions with students. The investigation did not establish sexual misconduct but found that there was an unacceptable and inappropriate pattern of behaviors according to the charges by the board.

The board charged him with two counts:

The first was a failure to maintain a professional relationship with all students inside and outside the classroom by soliciting, encouraging, or consummating a romantic or otherwise inappropriate relationship with a student.

The second count includes failure to maintain a professional relationship with all students, both inside and outside the classroom by committing or soliciting any sexual conduct with a student for the purpose of arousing or satisfying the sexual desires of the school employee or student.

Hookham waved his right to a disciplinary hearing in front of the board. The State of Iowa and Hookham entered into a settlement agreement rather than scheduling a contested hearing.

The State of Iowa's counsel presented the agreement to the board which then approved the settlement. As part of the agreement Hookham will not contest the violations in the first count, but the charges in the second count were dismissed.

Hookham accepted a written reprimand and suspension of his teaching license for a minimum of five years and bears the burden of applying for reinstatement. He can only apply for any reinstatement or any other license or authorization after he completes at least 15 in-person contact hours in an education ethics course and also undergoes a risk evaluation, which he will be required to pay for.

Because he waived the formal hearing, he also waived the right to challenge the allegations against him or the right to appeal or seek a judicial review of the board's decisions.

Hookham's name was added to the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDtec) Educator Identification Clearinghouse (a national database of educators who have had their license or certificate denied, suspended, annulled, revoked or invalidated).

The statement of his charges, settlement agreement and final order from the Board of Education Examiners case file was also added to Hookham's permanent license file.

Hookham standard license had included an endorsement for K-12 athletic coach, 5-12 chemistry, 5-12 general science and 5-12 physical science with an expiration date of June 30, 2023.