Newsome v. Batavia Local School District

656 F. Supp. 147, 38 Educ. L. Rep. 963, 1986 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 15958

• Court: District Court, S.D. Ohio
• Decided: December 29, 1986
• Docket: Civ. C-1-86-1228
• Status: Published

Opinion

FINDINGS OF FACT, OPINION AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

CARL B. RUBIN, Chief Judge.

This matter is before the Court on an application for preliminary injunction and upon hearing held in open court on December 15, 1986 at which time counsel for plaintiff and for defendants presented argument. 1

Plaintiff asserts that he was expelled from the Batavia Local School District in violation of his rights to due process. Since there is no factual dispute, the Court in accordance with Rule 65(a)(2) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure intends that this Order be not only a determination of the Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, but likewise a determination of this matter on the merits.

In accordance with Rule 52 of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, the Court does submit its Findings of Fact, Opinion and Conclusions of Law.

I.

FINDINGS OF FACT

1. Plaintiff Arthur Nickolas Newsome is a Junior at Batavia High School in Clermont County Ohio. On November 3, 1986 he was informed by Dan Swart, Principal of Batavia High School of allegations that Newsome had offered to sell marijuana to other students on school premises. New- some was given an opportunity at that time informally to respond to such charges.

2. On November 6,1986 Principal Swart gave notice of an intended suspension for ten days for the stated reason of “possession — offering for sale — marijuana”. The notice of intended suspension is included herein as Attachment 1. It contained the following language: “You will have the chance to meet with me at an informal hearing, to ask questions, tell me your side of what happened, question my reasons for the suspension and explain what you did or what happened.” On the same date a notice of suspension was given to Linda Lee Newsome, parent of Plaintiff, with the same reason listed and with the following statement: “You have the right to appeal this decision to the Board of Education (or its designee), to be represented in the appeal by a representative of your choosing and to request that the appeal hearing be held in an executive session. Please notify me immediately if you intend to appeal so a hearing can be scheduled.” (Attachment 2)

3. On November 7,1986 School Superintendent James Fite advised Linda Lee New-some of his intent to expel the Plaintiff for the balance of the current semester. The Notice of such intent was based upon a violation of Board of Education Policy 4060, Guideline 4062, paragraph C, item # 16 (Board Policy Concerning Drugs). That notice also set a meeting on November 14, 1986 at 9:00 a.m. (Attachment 3). Both the Plaintiff and his mother and a representative of the Probation Department of the Clermont County Juvenile Court were present at that meeting.

4. On November 17, 1986 Superintendent Fite expelled the Plaintiff for the balance of the school semester. The letter of expulsion included the reason therefor and advised Plaintiff of a right to appeal the decision to the Board of Education for the Batavia Local School District (Attachment 4).

5. Principal Swart and Superintendent Fite are both experienced educators and administrators and each has had experience in the disciplining of students. The decision to expel plaintiff Newsome was based upon more than the statements of two students.

6. An appeal was taken to the Board of Education. The Board met on November 24, 1986 with the Plaintiff and his mother present and represented by counsel. The Board heard evidence in favor of and against such expulsion (Plaintiffs Complaint at paragraph 27). Plaintiff’s counsel was permitted to address the Board in his behalf, but he was not permitted to question either Principal Swart or Superintendent Fite. On December 1, 1986 the Board of Education upheld the expulsion until January 21, 1987.

7. The totality of proceedings in this matter indicate that Plaintiff received four separate hearings: the first on November 3, 1986 (Plaintiff’s Complaint paragraph 14); the Second on November 10, 1986 (Plaintiff’s Complaint paragraph 20); On November 14, 1986 (Plaintiff's Complaint paragraph 23); and on November 24, 1986 (Plaintiff’s Complaint paragraph 27). The first meeting was held with Principal Swart and a Probation Officer present. The next two hearings were held before Superintendent Fite with a Probation Officer present and the last before the Board of Education with legal counsel present.

II.

OPINION

Any inquiry by a Court into the basic question of Due Process of Law must involve a consideration of what may be conflicting interests. On the one hand there is an individual charged with an offense for which he can be punished. On the other, there is an institution charged with obligations by the entire community. The communitywide concern with drug associated problems needs no review by this Court. The pervasive availability to children of Controlled Substances is such a danger that a Board of Education which did not vigorously pursue a policy of eliminating it from the schools would be derelict in its duty. The balancing equation is simple to state but exceedingly difficult to apply. Mr. Newsome is entitled to his constitution al protections, but Mr. Newsome has no constitutional right to sell or possess with intent to sell marijuana on public school grounds.

There is a judicial temptation to act as a “super” Board of Education and make the decision that the Court deems to be appropriate. To do so is contrary to an admonition of the Supreme Court of the United States cautioning trial judges from substituting their judgment for that of the institution charged with exercising such judgment. Then Justice Rehnquist writing in Bell v. Wolfish, 439 U.S. 816, 99 S.Ct. 76, 58 L.Ed.2d 107 (1979) pointed out the following: “Judges after all are human. They no less than others in our society have a natural tendency to believe that their individual solutions to often intractable problems are better and more workable than those of the persons who are actually charged with and trained in the running of the particular institution under examination. But under the Constitution the first question to be answered is not whose plan is best, but in what branch of the government is lodged the authority initially to devise the plan____

Wolfish has nothing to do with education, but it has everything to do with the manner in which this Court must approach the problem. The question is not whether the Board of Education was correct in its ultimate decision, but whether constitutional rights of the Plaintiff were infringed in reaching its conclusion.

Rights under the Due Process Clause have been the subject of searching inquiry by the Supreme Court of the United States. In Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 70 S.Ct. 652, 94 L.Ed. 865 (1950), the statement is made: “Many controversies have ranged about the cryptic and abstract words of the due process clause, but there can be no doubt that at a minimum they require the deprivation of ... property by adjudication be proceeded by notice, [and] an opportunity for hearing appropriate to the nature of the case.” The fundamental requisite of due process of law is the opportunity to be heard. Grannis v. Ordean, 234 U.S. 385, 34 S.Ct. 779, 58 L.Ed. 1363 (1914).

Relating the general principle to a specific student right the Supreme Court has stated that: .“At the very minimum therefore students facing suspension and the consequent interference with a protected property interest must be given some kind of notice and afforded some kind of hearing____ Goss v. Lopez, 419 U.S. 565, 579, 95 S.Ct. 729, 738, 42 L.Ed.2d 725 (emphasis not added). 2

The majority opinion in Goss also makes the following statement: “... Requiring effective notice and informal hearing permitting the student to give his version of the events will provide a meaningful hedge against erroneous action. At least the disciplinarian will be alerted to the existence of disputes about facts and arguments about cause and effect. He may then determine himself to summon the accuser, permit cross-examination and allow the student to present his own witnesses. In more difficult cases he may permit counsel. In any event, his discretion will be more informed and we think the risk of error substantially reduced.” Goss, supra at 583, 584, 95 S.Ct. at 740-41.

It cannot be seriously asserted that Plaintiff herein was denied notice or an opportunity to be heard. The attachments to this opinion indicate clearly that both Plaintiff and his mother knew the nature of the charge from the beginning. He was given an opportunity to be heard four separate times. At all times he was accompanied by an adult, either his mother or a Probation Officer of the Juvenile Court or counsel of his choosing.

In terms of Due Process, plaintiff does not assert a notice or lack of notice or a lack of hearings. He claims only an inability to cross examine either Principal Swart or Superintendent Fite. But Due Process does not confer on Plaintiff the right to cross-examine his accuser in a school disciplinary proceeding. Boykins v. Fairfield Board of Education, 492 F.2d 697 (5th Cir.1974) cert. denied 420 U.S. 962, 95 S.Ct. 1350, 43 L.Ed.2d 438 (1974). Frumkin v. Board of Trustees of Kent State University, 626 F.2d 19 (6th Cir.1980).

The need for anonymity of student accusers who might otherwise be the victims of reprisals from fellow students could prevail over the right to confrontation. Dillon v. Pulaski County Special School District, 468 F.Supp. 54 (E.D.Ark.1978), aff'd 594 F.2d 699 (8th Cir.1979).

Upon consideration of the foregoing the Court holds the minimums of notice and opportunity to be heard have been observed. Plaintiff Newsome has received adequate due process. The complaint herein should be dismissed.

III.

CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

A. This Court has jurisdiction pursuant to Title 42 U.S.C. 1983.

B. In a school suspension hearing a student does not have a constitutional right to confront and cross examine his accuser. Boykins v. Fairfield Board of Education, 492 F.2d 697 (5th Cir.1974) cert. denied 420 U.S. 962, 95 S.Ct. 1350, 43 L.Ed.2d 438 (1974). Frumkin v. Board of Trustees of Kent State University, 626 F.2d 19 (6th Cir.1980).

C. Due Process of Law requires notice and an opportunity to be heard. Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co., 339 U.S. 306, 70 S.Ct. 652, 94 L.Ed. 865 (1950); Grannis v. Ordean, 234 U.S. 385, 34 S.Ct. 779, 58 L.Ed. 1363 (1914).

D. Where a student and his parents have received written notice of charges against him and he has been given four separate opportunities to be heard, minimum Due Process of Law has been satisfied.

E. In accordance with Conclusions of Law B through D inclusive, the Complaint herein is hereby dismissed at plaintiff’s costs.

IT IS SO ORDERED.

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ATTACHMENT 3

BATAVIA LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 800 Bauer Avenue Batavia, Ohio 45103

November 7, 1986

CERTIFIED MAIL Linda Lea Newsome 2086 Erion Road Batavia, Ohio 45103 Dear Ms. Newsome,

Please be advised that it is my intent to expelí your son, Nick Newsome, for the remainder of the current semester. The reason for this intended expulsion is that Nick allegedly violated Board of Education Policy 4060, Guideline No. 4062, paragraph C item # 16 (Board policy concerning drugs).

You and/or Nick and/or your representative may meet with me to discuss the reasons for this intended expulsion. I have scheduled the date and time of Friday, November 14 at 9:00 a.m. to meet with you regarding this matter. The meeting will be held in my office located in Batavia High School.

If you are unable to attend the scheduled meeting, please call my office (732-2343) so that we may make other arrangements.

Sincerely,

/s/ James Fite James Fite Superintendent

cc Dan Swart, High School Principal ATTACHMENT 4

BATAVIA LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICT 800 Bauer Avenue Batavia, Ohio 45103

November 17, 1986

CERTIFIED MAIL Linda Lea Newsome 2086 Erion Road Batavia, Ohio 45103 Dear Ms. Newsome,

Please be advised that I have decided to expelí your son, Nick Newsome, for the remainder of the current semester. The reason for this expulsion is that Nick violated Board of Education Policy 4060, Guideline No. 4062, paragraph c, item # 16 (Board policy concerning drugs). Nick is not permitted to return to school until January 21, 1987.

You and/or Nick and/or your representative may appeal this decision to the Board of Education. You may request that the hearing before the board be held in executive session. Please contact me (732-2343) if you desire to appeal this decision to the Board.

cc Terry W. Stephen, Treasurer Dan Swart, Principal Larry Vaughn, Administrative Assistant

1 . A second hearing was held on December 22, 1986, for the sole purpose of obtaining information from the school Principal Dan Swart and School Superintendent James Fite. Limited cross examination was permitted.

2 . Goss dealt with suspensions of less than 10 days. It is cited here in part because it affirmed a decision of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Ohio. Lopez v. Williams, 372 F.Supp. 1279.