Linstad v. Sitka School District

863 P.2d 838, 1993 Alas. LEXIS 117

• Court: Alaska Supreme Court
• Decided: November 26, 1993
• Docket: S-4958
• Status: Published

Opinions

OPINION

COMPTON, Justice.

After an independent review of the record, the superior court upheld the decision of the Sitka School District not to retain Evie Linstad for the 1990-91 school year. Linstad, a tenured teacher, challenges several of the superior court’s procedural rulings and its final decision. We reverse.

I. FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

The Sitka School District (District) employed Evie Linstad as a special education teacher from 1977-1990. Yearly evaluations of Linstad’s teaching performance were generally positive, but they indicated longstanding problems regarding her ability to maintain an effective working relationship with fellow teachers and, to a lesser degree, her ability to develop clear and effective lesson plans.

In 1986 Terry Coon became the principal of Linstad’s school and her supervisor. Linstad received very poor evaluations from Coon.¹ In 1989 Coon recommended that Linstad not be retained for the 1989— 90 school year. Nonetheless, the Sitka School District Board of Education (Board) did not accept this recommendation and Linstad returned for the 1989-90 school year.

During the 1989-90 school year Linstad’s relationship with Coon became highly adversarial.² In December 1989, pursuant to the Negotiated Agreement between the District and its teachers, Coon and District Superintendent Art Woodhouse notified Linstad that her “teaching performance [wa]s so deficient that it may affect [he]r continued employment” with the District. The notice directed Linstad to discuss with her superiors “remedial action to correct this deficiency.” In February 1990 Coon gave Linstad another very poor evaluation and recommended that she not be retained for the following school year.

The District accepted Coon’s recommendation and gave Linstad notice that she would not be retained for the 1990-91 school year. Pursuant to statute, the notice specified the grounds of nonretention as “incompetency” and “substantial noncompliance” with state law and school policies. See AS 14.20.175 (a tenured teacher is subject to nonretention only for incompetency, immorality, substantial noncompliance with school law, or a necessary reduction of staff). The notice also contained a bill of particulars as required by AS 14.20.-180(a).³

The Board held a three-day nonretention hearing for Linstad in April 1990. In May 1990 the Board decided by unanimous vote not to retain Linstad due to demonstrated incompetence in the performance of her duties and substantial failure to comply with statutes, regulations and District policies. After this decision, Linstad sought judicial review in the superior court pursuant to AS 14.20.205, which provides in part, that “[i]f a school board reaches a decision unfavorable to a teacher, the teacher is entitled to a de novo trial in the superior court.”

After a pretrial hearing in December 1990, Superior Court Judge Larry Zervos asked the parties to decide whether they wished to proceed with the matter as an appeal or as a de novo trial. Judge Zervos ruled that if the matter was to proceed as a de novo trial, “the school district [would] not [be] bound by the bill of particulars that had been filed during the non-retention hearing.” The court stated:

The ruling to allow the district to deviate from the bill of particulars was premised on the fact that a trial de novo should provide a forum for a full and final inquiry into all the issues raised. Because of the limited time and procedure provided by the nonretention hearing process, some issues, on both sides, may not have been adequately developed. Since the statute authorizes a new trial, it is the court’s interpretation that the procedures followed in this case should be the same procedures as in any other civil case.

Linstad argued that the ruling denied her fair notice and allowed the District to avoid its statutorily mandated duty to give her a “complete bill of particulars.” AS 14.20.-180(a). In response, the court noted that “[ajdequate discovery procedures and the rules of evidence should protect Ms. Lin-stad from the problems raised in her objection.” While preserving her objection to these rulings, Linstad chose to have an independent review of the record, rather than a de novo trial.

In December 1991 the court upheld the Board’s nonretention decision. The court explicitly stated that it had “independently reviewed the record before the school board to determine whether the decision to nonretain Linstad was supported by a preponderance of the evidence.”⁴ The court concluded in the affirmative and this appeal followed. AS 22.05.010(a); Alaska R.App.P. 202(a).

II. DISCUSSION

Alaska Statute 14.20.180 describes the administrative procedure that is utilized when a tenured teacher has been given a notice of nonretention. AS 14.20.180; Cor-so v. Comm’n of Educ., 563 P.2d 246, 247 n. 8 (Alaska 1977). Pursuant to this statute, a school board must provide a tenured teacher with (1) “a statement of cause and a complete bill of particulars” of the charges for nonretention, and (2) a hearing. AS 14.20.180(a)-(b). If the Board reaches a decision unfavorable to a tenured teacher, the statutory framework provides the teacher an additional protection — the right to a de novo trial in the superior court. AS 14.20.205.

Linstad argues that the superior court erred in its interpretation and application of section 205. Citing the explicit statutory guarantee of de novo review, Linstad argues that the trial court erred in forcing her to elect between a de novo trial and a review of the Board record. Linstad further argues that the court erred in holding that the Board could deviate from the original bill of particulars if Linstad chose to have a de novo trial. In essence, Linstad argues that the bill of particulars requirement binds the District not only before the Board, but also before the superior court if the teacher exercises her right to a de novo trial under AS 14.20.205.⁵

We agree that the superior court erred in making Linstad choose between a de novo trial and a review of the record. The statute provides tenured teachers the right to a de novo trial, and makes no mention of other available levels of review. AS 14.20.205. Further, we have previously-held that the de novo requirement of AS 14.20.205 is not satisfied by “a de novo review on the evidence presented in the administrative hearing.” Asevedo v. Anchorage Sch. Dist., 843 P.2d 1209 (Alaska 1992). The superior court thus erred in forcing Linstad to choose between a de novo trial and a review of the record.⁶

We must now determine the scope of the de novo trial to which Linstad was entitled. In Asevedo, we discussed the de novo trial under AS 14.20.205: “[T]he most common meaning of the term de novo trial is a proceeding where there is both a new evidentiary hearing and original fact finding. It is our view that the legislature contemplated such a proceeding in enacting AS 14.20.205.” Id. Asevedo did not address, however, whether the Board could deviate from the original bill of particulars during the trial before the superior court. Accordingly, this question is one of first impression for this court.⁷

Pursuant to section 205, the superior court reviews the Board’s nonretention decision de novo, i.e., “as if the proceeding had been originally brought in the reviewing court.” 2 Am.Jur. Administrative Law 2d § 698, at 597 (1962). Consistent with Asevedo, this means that new evidence may be presented and that the superior court must engage in original fact finding. Asevedo, 843 P.2d at 1209. It does not mean, however, that the school district can change the allegations which form the basis for its nonretention decision. The bill of particulars requirement under section 180 prevents a district from changing tactics or bolstering its case during the middle of the administrative process. So too should it protect the teacher who chooses to have the Board’s decision reviewed de novo in the superior court.

We therefore hold that the bill of particulars provision of section 180 operates as a limitation on the scope of the de novo trial guaranteed by section 205.⁸ Although- section 205 was enacted for the benefit and protection of tenured teachers, the superior court’s interpretation of AS 14.20.205 could actually work to a teacher’s detriment. The court’s ruling would provide a district with a fresh opportunity to bolster its nonretention decision, and would make it likely that a teacher would have to spend more time, effort and money to meet any additional charges. Since the superior court essentially supplants the Board and redecides the case, it makes sense to apply the bill of particulars limitation to the de novo trial in the superior court. Furthermore, this decision is supported by the policies underlying both the statutory framework generally, and the teacher’s right to de novo review specifically.

We have previously noted the importance of both the tenured teacher’s interest in a nonretention decision, and the mandatory right to de novo review of that decision:

The decision not to retain a tenured teacher may have an enormous impact on that teacher’s career. This consideration must have weighed heavily in the minds of the legislature when they granted the unusual right to trial de novo. There is no question that a judicial body, often further removed from the political pressures involved in a teacher nonretention dispute, will provide a more objective perspective of the proceedings.

Jerrel v. Kenai Peninsula Borough Sch. Dist., 567 P.2d 760, 766 (Alaska 1977).⁹ Because sections 180 and 205 were enacted for the benefit and protection of tenured teachers, we interpret these sections to give effect to this goal.

III. CONCLUSION

We hold that the superior court erred in making Linstad choose between a de novo trial and review of the record. Further, we conclude that the court erred in ruling that the Board could deviate from the original bill of particulars if Linstad chose de novo trial. Accordingly, we REVERSE and REMAND for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

BURKE, J., dissents in part.

1 . Coon included with the evaluation forms detailed critiques of Linstad’s performance. He cited problems with punctuality and classroom discipline, as well as continued problems with lesson planning and working relationships.

2 . The record contains numerous interoffice memoranda displaying a breakdown of communication and a complete lack of mutual respect or professional esteem between Linstad and Coon.

3 .The statute provides that "[a]n employer shall include in a notification of ... nonretention or dismissal of a tenured teacher, a statement of cause and a complete bill of particulars." AS 14.20.180(a) (emphasis added).

4 . Because Linstad elected to have an independent review of the record, the court limited the scope of its review to those allegations included in the bill of particulars. However, noting that Linstad herself had introduced evidence dealing with events occurring before the 1989-90 school year, the court did not limit its review to that year alone. Instead, it examined "all evidence presented to the board at the hearing that relates to the allegations raised in the ‘Bill of Particulars.’ ”

Linstad claims that the trial court erred in giving her an "intermediate level” of review. If the election itself was proper, the court did not err in giving Linstad the precise level of review which she requested in her notice of election, an "independent review of the evidence before the school board.” The court conducted original fact finding based on the administrative record. See Asevedo v. Anchorage Sch. Dist., 843 P.2d 1209 (Alaska 1992) (describing this type of review as a de novo trial "in part”).

5 . The District does not squarely address Lin-stad’s argument, but instead argues that the court allowed the District to go beyond the bill of particulars because Linstad had raised new allegations in her wrongful termination action. The District claims that the court simply "reminded Linstad about how a jury trial works when a party files a civil complaint and what rules apply.” The District mischaracterizes the court's ruling.

6 . Linstad originally requested a de novo trial in accordance with her statutory right. Despite this request, however, the superior court gave Linstad a choice between a de novo trial and an appeal on the record. Further, the court made clear that the Board would be allowed to deviate from the bill of particulars if Linstad chose a de novo trial. In so doing, the superior court failed to follow the dictates of AS 14.20.205, and improperly influenced Linstad to forego the right to a de novo trial guaranteed by AS 14.20.-205. We do not suggest, however, that an independent review of the record would be inappropriate where a new evidentiary hearing is not sought.

7 . Because questions of law and statutory construction are presented here, this court will apply its independent judgment to resolve the issue. Forest v. Safeway Stores, Inc., 830 P.2d 778, 780 n. 3 (Alaska 1992).

8 .This limitation does not undermine the de novo nature of the trial court’s review. "A trial or hearing 'de novo’ means trying the matter anew the same as if it had not been heard before and as if no decision had been previously rendered.” 2 Am.Jur.2d Administrative Law § 698, at 597 (1962). While a de novo trial may be different in many respects from the original administrative hearing, the essential aspect of such a trial is the authority of the reviewing court to exercise its independent judgment. In other words, the reviewing court must be authorized to make an entirely independent determination, unencumbered by any presumptions regarding the administrative decision. Id. at 598. Our decision today protects this essential element.

9 . In Matanuska-Susitna Borough v. Lum, 538 P.2d 994 (Alaska 1975), we also noted several policy reasons underlying the mandatory right to a de novo trial. For example, we stated that "[i]t is well known that the composition of many school boards is not such as to endow them with fact-finding expertise in matters of teacher nonretention." Id. at 1001. We also noted that the teacher is faced with the loss of a very important right — the teacher’s source of income. Id.