SALEM (AP) - A state commission has been asked to investigate whether Salem-Keizer school officials ignored complaints about a former band teacher who recently pleaded guilty to sexually abusing four students.

State Sen. Vicki Walker, D-Eugene, filed a complaint Friday with the state Teacher Standards and Practices Commission, which licenses and disciplines public school administrators. On Monday, Walker introduced a bill that would increase the penalty for failing to report suspected child abuse.

Oregon law requires both teachers and school administrators to report suspected child abuse to police or the state child protection agency. Senate Bill 372 would increase the penalty for private and public officials who fail to report suspected child abuse to a maximum of one year in prison, a $6,250 fine, or both.

"I am not going to allow this conspiracy of silence to continue," she said. "School districts are supposed to be protecting our children."

On Jan. 16, the (Salem) Statesman Journal newspaper reported that the Salem-Keizer School District received complaints about band teacher Joe Billera's inappropriate behavior with students as long as four years ago but never placed Billera on leave, never hired an independent investigator and never reported the complaints to the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

Walker referred to the newspaper articles in her letter to the agency.

Kay Baker, the superintendent of Salem-Keizer schools, said she believes the newspaper report was inaccurate and Walker should have contacted the district before taking action.

"We believe that if she knew the facts of the case, she would see this differently," Baker said.

Late Monday, Baker issued a press release and a letter to the newspaper - both of which were posted on the district's Web site - denying any wrongdoing.

But Walker said she already had confirmed the newspaper's account.

"I spoke to an assistant district attorney," Walker said. "I have enough."