Parents, staff urge district to remove Happy Valley counselor facing third DUII charge

MILWAUKIE, Ore. (KPTV) - Parents within North Clackamas School District said they want a counselor off the job after learning she’s facing her third DUII charge in less than two years.

“We have been trying to get her out of our school for many years,” said parent Angela Dewey. “There has been so much up to this that she should have been let go a long time ago.”

Parents and Happy Valley Elementary staff are demanding the North Clackamas School District take action, as school counselor Joni Clayton faces her third DUII charge in 18 months.

“I couldn’t volunteer in the school if I had that but you can teach our children?” said Dewey.

According to court documents, Clayton crashed into apartments on Southeast Woodstock Boulevard on September 13. Investigators said her blood-alcohol content was at .55%. Court records show Clayton was also charged with DUII twice before—in June and April of 2025.

Happy Valley Elementary parent Rachel Pierson said it’s time for the district to take serious action.

“We have a counselor who is going into classrooms and doing instruction with children on the dangers of drunk driving who might be drunk,” said Pierson.

“Everyone has kind of seen this person not acting the way a counselor or an educator should,” said Pierson. “I’m having to tell my 8-year-old to let me know that if this unsafe adult approaches her to let me know and she’s eight years old, that’s not her job.”

In a statement, North Clackamas School District told FOX 12 “Ms. Clayton is on leave while the school district conducts a thorough investigation into this matter...we remain committed to the safety and well-being of our students and staff.”

But Pierson said leave isn’t enough, she said Clayton should be removed from the district.

“I think she should be offered any help that she can get, but at this point it has gotten serious enough that she needs to be removed from face to face contact with students while she is getting that help,” said Pierson.

Clayton faces several charges, including driving under the influence of intoxicants, reckless driving, second degree criminal mischief, and driving with a suspended license.