Title: NAVIGATING THE DANGEROUS SEAS OF TEACHER DISCIPLINE
1 NAVIGATING THE DANGEROUS SEAS OF TEACHER
DISCIPLINE
- ACSAs 2014 Personnel Institute
- October 9, 2014
- Presented By
- Michelle L. Cannon
2Introduction
- Every former student can recall the teacher who
couldnt teach. Yet the belief that such
teachers tenure meant absolute protection from
dismissal was shared by students, parents, school
administrators and school boards. Myth or
reality? - It is possible to dismiss poor teachers and
teachers who engage in misconduct. - An absolute first step in the teacher dismissal
process is proper training of school
administrators in evaluating teachers and
documenting misconduct. District administrators
must also develop a plan and work as a team with
advice of legal counsel.
3Knowledge about specific legal requirements
- Statutory causes for dismissal
- Procedural pitfalls in Education Code
- Personnel files (Ed. Code 44031) and Miller v.
Chico - Performance evaluations Documentation
- Commission on Professional Competence (CPC) and
Hearing Process - Dismissal Process from A to Z
4Changes in law starting January 1, 2015
- Egregious Conduct
- Alternative process
- Miscellaneous changes
5Statutory Causes for Dismissal of Permanent
Teacher
- Education Code 44932(a) lists the following
causes for dismissal
- Immoral Conduct (Immediate unpaid suspension per
Ed. Code 44939) - Unprofessional conduct (45-day Notice of
Deficiency per Ed. Code 44938(a)) - Dishonesty
- Unsatisfactory Performance (90-day Notice of
Deficiency per Ed. Code 44938(a)) - Evident Unfitness for Service
6Statutory Causes for Dismissal of Permanent
Teacher (contd)
- Physical/Mental condition making person unfit to
teach - Persistent Violation of or Refusal to Obey School
Laws of the State or Reasonable Regulations of
State or Governing Board - Conviction of a Felony or any Crime Involving
Moral Turpitude (also allows for immediate unpaid
suspension) - Knowing membership in Communist Party
- Alcoholism or other drug abuse which makes
employee unfit to teach
7Statutory Causes for Suspension of Permanent
Teacher
- Education Code 44932(b) authorizes suspension
without pay for a specific period of time. - Only for Unprofessional Conduct
- Only if 45-day Notice of Deficiency has been sent
- Only if there is no provision in collective
bargaining agreement
8Immediate Unpaid Suspension
- Education Code 44939 authorizes immediate
unpaid suspension upon filing of charges for
dismissal. - May be used when teacher charged with immoral
conduct, conviction of a felony or a crime
involving moral turpitude, incompetency due to
mental disability, and willful refusal to perform
regular assignments without reasonable cause.
9Procedural Pitfalls Education Code
- Education Code 44944(a)
- No witness shall be permitted to testify at the
hearing except upon oath or affirmation. No
testimony shall be given or evidence introduced
relating to matters which occurred more than four
years prior to the date of the filing of the
notice. Evidence of records regularly kept by
the governing board concerning the employee may
be introduced, but no decision relating to the
dismissal or suspension of any employee shall be
made based on charges or evidence of any nature
relating to matters occurring more than four
years prior to the filing of the notice.
(Emphasis added.)
10Procedural Pitfalls Education Code (contd)
- This section places a strict limitation on the
time that can elapse between any incident and the
filing of the Notice of Dismissal and Statement
of Charges. - Possible exception based upon equitable
estoppel (Atwater case). - Education Code 44944(a) also provides that
hearing must commence within 60 days from date of
employees demand for hearing. - Statement of Charges must be verified.
11Procedural Pitfalls Education Code (contd)
- Two charging documents
- Statement of Charges under Education Code
- Accusation under Administrative Procedure Act
- Education Code 44936 prohibits giving of Notice
of Dismissal or Suspension between May 15 and
September 15.
12Procedural Pitfalls Cases
- Morrison standards (Morrison v. State Board of
Education 1969 California Supreme Court) - Applies to teacher dismissal based upon the
following causes - Immoral Conduct
- Dishonesty
- Evident Unfitness for Service
- Case involved private, consensual, noncriminal
homosexual relationship which had occurred 19
months before - Conduct must indicate teacher is not fit to teach
13Procedural Pitfalls Cases (contd)
- Morrison standards
- Harm caused by conduct to students or fellow
teachers - Degree of harm anticipated
- Proximity or remoteness in time
- Type of teaching certificate
- Extenuating or aggravating circumstances
- Motive
- Likelihood of recurrence
- Chilling effect on legal rights
14Procedural Pitfalls Cases (contd)
- Impact of Morrison there must be some nexus
between teachers conduct and job performance
before conduct can form basis for dismissal - Recent update San Diego USD v. CPC (2011)
15Personnel Files (Education Code 44031 and
Miller v. Chico)
- If it is not written down, given to employee and
placed in the employees personnel file within a
reasonable time, it did not happen. - Intent is to give teacher notice of any
performance problems and the opportunity to
respond, i.e. to tell his or her side of the
story. - Unless CBA or Policy prohibits it, supervisors
may keep a working file to store temporary
records (such as calendars or handwritten notes)
relative to recent incidents.
16Personnel Files (Education Code 44031 and
Miller v. Chico) (contd)
- Any information in working file that has ongoing
significance must find its way from working file
into personnel file via - Performance evaluation
- Formal documentation
- Must be made available for inspection
17Personnel Files (Education Code 44031 and
Miller v. Chico) (contd)
- Magic paragraph -
- Pursuant to Education Code 44031, you have
the right to comment upon this Notice and to have
your written comments attached to a copy, which
will be placed in your personnel file maintained
in the districts personnel office in
approximately ten days.
18Sound Evaluations Are Critical Component Of A
Winning Case Based on Unsatisfactory Performance
- Why are evaluations and documents so important?
Because documents speak louder than words! - Full compliance with all provisions in CBA,
including evaluation forms - Timelines
- Procedural steps
19Sound Evaluations Are Critical Component Of A
Winning Case Based on Unsatisfactory Performance
(contd)
- Goal
- Provide written record to support testimony
during hearing before CPC - Importance of detail in evaluation creating an
accurate record of what is occurring in classroom - Avoid union challenge
20TEACHER EVALUATIONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
- Properly prepared evaluations can reward and
support good teachers and help them become better
teachers - Enhance ongoing conversations between teacher and
administrator about what works and what does not
work and why and how to improve
21TEACHER EVALUATIONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
(contd)
- Minimize misunderstandings verbal communication
can be misunderstood - Provide record for teacher for later reference
- Stimulate teacher reflection to enhance student
learning - Provide documentation for any discipline
22TEACHER EVALUATIONS CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
(contd)
- But remember
- Primary objective is always to improve job
performance - Secondary objective is to document poor
performance
23Building a Winning Case
- Types of Documentation
- Evaluations
- Letters of warning, direction, reprimand
- Formal notices of deficiency (with most recent
evaluation attached) - 45-Day Notice of Unprofessional Conduct
- 90-Day Notice of Unsatisfactory Performance
- Combined notice for both
24Building a Winning Case (contd)
- Plan for Improvement
- In a dismissal hearing documentation is key.
School Districts are inherently at a disadvantage
in witness credibility battles. The natural
tendency is to resolve any doubts in favor of the
underdog the teacher who is fighting for their
job. - Without documentation teacher may argue
performance was satisfactory and/or had no
knowledge of problems. - Only accurate and specific documentation can
counter this argument.
25Commission on Professional Competence
- Dismissal hearing is conducted before a
three-person panel (CPC) composed of - Administrative law judge who serves as
chairperson - One member selected by teacher
- One member selected by district and
- Both of these members cannot be employees of the
district initiating the dismissal, must hold a
currently valid credential, and must have at
least five years experience within the past ten
years in the discipline of the teacher.
26Commission on Professional Competence (contd)
- Standard of proof preponderance of the
evidence. - Written decision by CPC.
27Other Important Reminders
- Placement of teachers on paid administrative
leave. - Weingarten Rights Employees right to
representation in investigatory
interviews/meetings that employee reasonably
believes might result in disciplinary action. - Right is not triggered until employee requests
representation. - School district has no obligation to inform
employee of the right.
28Dismissal of Probationary Teachers
- Non-reelection on or before March 15 of second
consecutive complete school year. - But effective at end of the year, not mid-year.
- Dismissal mid-year under Educ. Code 44948.3.
- Same causes as for permanent employees.
- 45 day/90 day notice requirements apply.
29Dismissal of Probationary Teachers (contd)
- Notice of dismissal by March 15th for 2nd year
probationary employees. - Must include statement of reasons and notice of
opportunity to appeal. - Teacher has 15 days from receipt of notice to
request a hearing. - Hearing before an ALJ with a recommended decision
to governing board. - No CPC panel.
- Suspension without pay for a specified period of
time as an alternative to dismissal.
30Ok, We Are Ready to Move Forward With Dismissal
of A Permanent Teacher, Now What?
- Key Decision before filing charges is it worth
going forward?
31Ok, We Are Ready to Move Forward With Dismissal,
Now What? (contd)
- Even if we can prove all these facts and charges
will the CPC panel actually vote to terminate?
- Approval and support from administration at all
levels? - Support from key witnesses?
32Ok, We Are Ready to Move Forward With Dismissal,
Now What? (contd)
- Do we have all relevant documents in front of us
nothing too embarrassing or inconsistent with the
dismissal case. - Having all documents this early helps to prepare
charges and respond to the teachers later
requests for documents and information. - Causes supporting dismissal in Educ. Code
44932. - Must be nexus between conduct and ability to
function as a teacher.
33Pre-Disciplinary Conference
- Send Skelly letter setting informal meeting to
notify teacher of intent to recommend
disciplinary action (including dismissal) to the
Superintendent and Board. - It should very closely resemble the draft
Statement of Charges (see below). - The employee gets the letter a few days ahead of
the meeting time. - Allow employee to bring representative
(Weingarten).
34Pre-Disciplinary Conference
- This is employees chance to respond to charges
before they go to the Board. - Purpose is to clear up factual mistakes, allow
employee to state why the proposed action is
improper under the circumstances. - Keep it short and simple just hear what they
have to say.
35Pre-Disciplinary Conference
- After meeting with Human Resources
representative, that person then decides whether
to continue to recommend discipline. - If district decides not to continue, notice
should be sent to employee. - Full Skelly hearing like that done with
classified employees not required here.
36Statement of Charges
- List all specific facts supporting charges/causes
for dismissal including dates and times, if
possible. - Include specific laws, rules, regulations
violated. - Adults referred to by first and last name,
students by first name and last initial.
37Statement of Charges
- List all efforts to help the teacher improve, or
understand the problem(s). - Have Superintendent sign charges and a
verification. - Dont charge Unprofessional Conduct or
Unsatisfactory Performance without giving the
required prior written notice of such charges and
opportunity / plan to improve (45 and 90 days,
respectively) (Ed. Code, 44938).
38Statement of Charges
- File with board.
- Board decides whether to issue Notice of
Intention to Suspend and/or Dismiss in 30 days. - (Ed. Code, 44934.)
39Board Meets to Decide Whether to Authorize
Dismissal
- Serve Notice of Intention to Dismiss In 30 Days.
- Cannot be served on teacher between May 15 and
September 15 (Ed. Code, 44936). - May include notice of unpaid suspension pending
hearing, under certain charges (Ed. Code,
44939). - Personal service or certified mail.
40Board Meets to Decide Whether to Authorize
Dismissal
- Must include copies of
- Notice of Intention to Suspend and/or Dismiss
after 30 days if no hearing requested - Statement of Charges
41Board Meets to Decide Whether to Authorize
Dismissal
- Blank Request for Hearing.
- Copies of Education Code sections 44930 through
44988. - Copies of Government Code sections 11507.5
11507.6 and 11507.8. - Proof of Mailing/Service by registered or
certified mail or personal service.
42Wait for Employees Written Request for Hearing.
- If not received within 30 days, Teacher is
automatically terminated (Ed. Code, 44937). - If received within 30 days
-
- Contact Office of Administrative Hearings
(OAH) to open a file and get possible hearing
dates.
43After Request, Board Must Either Rescind its
Action or Schedule a Hearing (Ed. Code, 44943).
- At the next possible board meeting, have Board
vote to either - Rescind the disciplinary action or
- Proceed with a hearing on the matter.
- Once charges issued and CPC is convened, District
cannot unilaterally dismiss charges. See 2011
Boliou decision.
44Prepare Accusation (Gov. Code, 11500 et seq.)
- Hearing must start within 60 days of receiving
request (unless teacher agrees otherwise)
Education Code section 44944. - Before setting hearing dates, document at least
one attempt to consult/ agree with employee on
dates. - If you need more time, try to get the employee to
agree, in writing to dates farther away than 60
days, if possible or formally open the hearing
within 60 days and postpone the rest until later.
45Prepare Accusation (Gov. Code, 11500 et seq.)
(contd)
- Draft detailed Accusation (re-worded Statement of
Charges) with an emphasis on specific, provable
misconduct/violations drafted like a complaint
in a lawsuit showing how all the specific
elements of each charge are met under the facts
and circumstances (Gov. Code 11503.) - Must specify any statutes and rules violated, not
just charges phrased in the language of those
statutes / rules.
46Obtain Districts Panel Member.
- On three member panel, district picks a member,
so does teacher other member is an
Administrative Law Judge who runs the process
rules on evidence and objections. - Member must be appointed by 7 days before
hearing, or appointment power is waived. - Person cannot be related to the teacher, nor an
employee of the district.
47Obtain Districts Panel Member (contd)
- Must hold a valid teaching credential and have
taught for at least five years in the discipline
of the employee out of the last ten years. - This definition allows the district to appoint an
administrator who was previously a teacher. -
- Start your search early and be persistent, as it
often takes longer than you anticipate, and can
confer substantial benefit at hearing.
48Obtain Districts Panel Member (contd)
- Difficulty is that they only get reimbursement of
costs and expenses of serving no additional
salary, and their employer must continue to pay
them full salary (and cost of a substitute or
replacement). - This can be burdensome in a hearing lasting many
days.
49Serve the Accusation Packet, which contains
- Statement to Respondent (setting forth basic
notice of formal charges and various procedural
rights e.g. discovery and to be represented by
counsel). - Accusation (Formal charging document should
closely resemble both the Predisciplinary Letter,
and the Statement of Charges).
50Serve the Accusation Packet, which contains
(contd)
- Notice of Defense and Request for Hearing Form
(check-off form response per Government Code
section 11506 allowing teacher to object to the
form of the Accusation and respond to it by
admission or denial redundancy in Government
Code requires teacher to again request a hearing
within 15 days or waive right to hearing failure
to file notice of defense also waives hearing
right).
51Serve the Accusation Packet, which contains
(contd)
- Statement of Charges (another copy, with same
attachments). - Proof of Mailing / Service by registered or
certified mail or by personal service.
52Prepare for Hearing
- You have only 30 days from date of Accusation to
send out Discovery requests try to send out
districts discovery requests at the same time as
the Accusation packet, to have documents prior to
any depositions. - Early requests allow time for motion to compel
further answers /response, if teacher or attorney
is uncooperative (only have 15 days from
refusal). - Compile hearing binders.
53Prepare for Hearing (contd)
- Contact districts witnesses to make sure their
testimony are still solid and consistent with
what they told you before. - Substantial amount of work in a short period of
time. - Often, teachers attorney will file meritless
nuisance motions (to limit or exclude evidence
/ discovery, dismiss entire action on
constitutional or jurisdictional grounds) to
run up districts costs discourage district from
dismissing other teachers disrupt districts
preparation for upcoming hearing.
54Send Notice of Hearing at Least 10 Days Before
(Gov. Code, 11509)
- Gives formal notice of time and place of hearing
reminder of various rights. - Arrange for court reporter to record all
proceedings.
55Complete Discovery by One Week Before Hearing
- Broad discovery allowed Education Code section
44944(a). - Not only Government Code section 11507.6, but
also includes all rights and duties of any party
in a civil action brought in a Superior Court
starting with Code of Civil Procedure section
2016.
56Complete Discovery by One Week Before Hearing
- Broad powers to inquire into any
information/matter reasonably calculated to lead
to admissible evidence, through - Requests for Documents (and other tangible items)
- Written Questions and Answers (Interrogatories)
- Written Requests for Admissions (Statements to
admit or deny in writing) - Live Question and Answer Sessions (Depositions)
57If Necessary, Amend Accusation to State
Additional Facts or Charges
- Sometimes, discovery reveals new facts and
possible new charges. - You can amend accusation to reflect these new
facts and charges you plan to use and prove at
hearing. - Has teacher been contacting your witnesses?
Intimidation? Other misconduct arisen since the
charges filed?
58If Necessary, Amend Accusation to State
Additional Facts or Charges
- However, doing so will most likely cause the
other side to request, and obtain a postponement
of the hearing, to help prepare a defense against
any new matter raised. - District counsel can also move to amend the
accusation to conform to proof at the hearing
itself.
59Settlement
- Usually, the presiding ALJ will require at least
one settlement conference (with different Judge
than the one hearing the case). - Most cases settle for simple economic/reality
reasons district does not want to have to pay
thousands of dollars in attorney fees and costs,
and teacher does not want to create a public,
written record of their misconduct.
60Settlement (contd)
- Good documentation/investigation/preparation
often leads to fast settlement on favorable
terms. - Do a careful cost/benefit analysis what is in
the districts interests? - Draft the settlement agreement carefully to
encompass and prevent as much future trouble as
possible.
61Settlement (contd)
- Get teachers full release of claims against
district (prevents future litigation by the
teacher). - This may or may not prevent litigation by third
parties (students and parents) against district
and/or teacher.
62Settlement (contd)
- Settlement terms generally cannot be made
confidential. - Resignation under circumstances related to one or
more allegations of misconduct must be reported
to CTC per Title 5 regulations ( 80300 et
seq.) within 30 days.
63Attend Pre-Hearing Conference
- Purpose is to clarify and narrow issues at
hearing, to make the process more efficient, if
possible. - Parties exchange final lists of witnesses and
evidence. - Make any last minute motions requests for
rulings. - Settlement usually also discussed.
64Dismissal Hearing
- Depending on facts, lasts from 2 days to 30 days.
- Everything is recorded by court reporter (creates
record for any appeal). - Despite informal nature of hearing compared to
court proceeding, its usually quite tense and
acrimonious prepare for cross-examination.
65Dismissal Hearing (contd)
- A lot is at stake for both parties economically
politically emotionally. - Decision is written, and is issued in 2 to 8
weeks (100 day max.) depending on size of case
and ALJ caseload.
66Dismissal Hearing (contd)
- Appeal is by motion for reconsideration within 30
days, or by request for appeal to Superior Court
within 60 days. - When any testimony or evidence concerns private
pupil records or other private information, the
ALJ may order that part of the hearing closed and
evidence sealed (made a non-public record).
67Dismissal Hearing (contd)
- Note districts have some breathing room on
process they are allowed to make
non-substantive procedural errors in the
process and still get a dismissal decision, so
long as the errors are not prejudicial errors. - Hopefully, this prevents a decision in favor of a
teacher on mere technicalities.
68CPC Decision
- CPC decision must be by majority vote and is
limited to (1) employee should be dismissed (2)
employee should be suspended without pay or (3)
employee should not be dismissed or suspended.
69If Teacher Wins
- Gets immediate reinstatement plus back-pay, if
any was withheld. - District must pay full administrative costs of
hearing.
70If District Wins
- If dismissal is for immoral conduct or conviction
of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude,
the Board must send the CTC and County Board a
full transcript of hearing, and request that any
certificate for the Teacher be revoked if the
employee is not ordered reinstated after appeal
Education Code section 44947.
71If District Wins (contd)
- District must pay full administrative costs of
hearing. - Report dismissal to CTC within 30 days.
- There is always a possibility of a lawsuit or
other challenge by teacher alleging wrongful
termination violation of rights, etc.
72AB 215 Egregious Conduct(Effective 1/1/15)
- Adds egregious misconduct as a cause for
dismissal under Education Code section 44932. - Egregious misconduct is a form of immoral conduct
and is defined by particular offenses - Education Code section 44010 (sex offenses),
- Education Code section 44011 (drug offenses), and
- Penal Code sections 11165.2 to 11165.6 (child
neglect, endangerment, abuse).
73AB 215 Egregious Conduct(Effective 1/1/15)
- Adds Education Code section 44934.1 for
processing egregious conduct cases - Requires service on the employee of written
notice of the districts intent to dismiss, along
with a statement of charges, and allows for
immediate unpaid suspension pending dismissal
under newly added Education Code section 44939.1.
- Notice of dismissal may be served at any time
during the year. (Educ. Code 44936(a).)
74AB 215 Egregious Misconduct New Dismissal
Process
- Adds Education Code section 44944.1 as exclusive
means for dismissal based solely on charges of
egregious misconduct. (Educ. Code 44944.1(b).) - Hearing conducted by single ALJ instead of
3-member CPC panel. (Educ. Code 44944.1(c).) - Hearing must begin within 60 days of employees
demand for hearing and OAH must prioritize these
cases over other dismissal cases. (Educ. Code
44944.1(d)(1)(A).)
75AB 215 Egregious Misconduct New Dismissal
Process
- Evidence may be admitted regarding egregious
misconduct that occurred more than 4 years prior
to the initiation of the proceedings. (Educ. Code
44944.1(d)(3).)
76AB 215 Egregious Misconduct New Dismissal
Process
- If ALJ determines employee should be dismissed or
suspended, the district and State share expenses
of hearing (including ALJ) and district and
employee pay own attorney fees. - IF ALJ determines employee should not be
dismissed or suspended, district pays costs of
hearing and reasonable attorneys fees for
employee.
77AB 215 Changes to Existing Law
- Eliminates the May 15- Sept 15 blackout period
for serving dismissal charges for all causes of
action other than unsatisfactory performance. - Charges based on unsatisfactory performance may
only be served during the instructional year of
the schoolsite where the teacher is physically
employed. - Hearing must be commenced within 6 months and
completed within 7 months.
78AB 215 Changes to Existing Law
- CPC can be waived by mutual agreement so that
heard by single ALJ. - Discovery now limited to depositions, initial
disclosures Pre-hearing disclosures.
79AB 215 Changes to Existing Law (unpaid
suspension not based on egregious misconduct)
- Allows employees who have been immediately
suspended without pay to file a motion with OAH
for reversal of the suspension within 30 days and
a hearing must be held within 30 days of filing
motion. (Educ. Code 44939(c).) - ALJ must issue an order within 15 days of the
hearing and if the suspension is not upheld, the
district must provide the employee with lost
wages, benefits, and compensation within 14 days
of service of the order.
80AB 215 Changes to Existing Law
- Adds Education Code section 44939.5
which prohibits districts from entering
settlement agreements to remove credible
complaints of, substantiated investigations into,
or discipline for egregious misconduct from
personnel files. - Districts must disclose they made a report to the
CTC about egregious misconduct when other school
employers inquire about a potential applicant.
(Educ. Code 44939.5.)
81Amended Title V, section 80303 Regulation
- Effective July 1, 2014.
- Section 80303 requires superintendents to report
change of certificated employment status as a
result of misconduct to the CTC. - Prior language often resulted in over-reporting
to include misconduct such as unsatisfactory
performance or even layoffs. - Prior law also failed to provide guidance to
superintendents as to documentation which must be
submitted.
82Amended Title V, section 80303 Regulation
- Provides CTC must be notified whenever, as a
result of misconduct or while an allegation of
misconduct is pending, an employee is dismissed
or non-reelected resigns, is suspended or placed
on unpaid admin leave (as a final adverse
employment action) retires or is otherwise
terminated. - Otherwise terminated shall not include or be
interpreted to include a change of status that is
solely for unsatisfactory performance or a
layoff or reduction in force.
83Amended Title V, section 80303 Regulation
- Requires all known information about each
alleged act of misconduct organized as follows - Name of credential holder current address of
credential holder name of reporting district
name of last school or district assignment
explanation of the allegation of misconduct or
pending allegation of misconduct current contact
information for all persons who may have
information relating to the alleged misconduct
and any and all documentation related to the
case.
84Amended Title V, section 80303 Regulation
- Failure to make a report constitutes
unprofessional conduct. - CTC must now investigate a superintendent who
fails to file required report.
85Thank You!
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