Reports recently issued by the Office of the State Comptroller

Reports recently issued by the Office of the State Comptroller

Click on text highlighted in color to access the entire report

Recent reports issued by the Office of the State Comptroller

Click on text highlighted in color to access the entire report

Special Education
The Unadilla Valley Central School District saved more than $300,000 in special education costs over a two-year period, according to an auditissued by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli.

http://www.osc.state.ny.us/press/releases/apr16/041916.htm?utm_source=weekly+news&utm_medium=email&utm_term=school+audit&utm_content=20160424&utm_campaign=fiscal+oversight

School Audits issued

Campbell-Savona Central School District - Liquidating the accumulated deficit in the District’s general fund

Gilboa-Conesville Central School District – Internal controls to safeguard portable devices such as laptop computers, tablets and cameras

Hicksville Union Free School District – Purchasing

Highland Falls-Fort Montgomery Central School District - Financial Condition

Madrid-Waddington Central School District - Financial Condition

Yorkshire-Pioneer Central School District - Financial Management

A probationary employee employee may not be terminated in bad faith, for a constitutionally impermissible or an illegal purpose, or in violation of statutory or decisional law

A probationary employee employee may not be terminated in bad faith, for a constitutionally impermissible or an illegal purpose, or in violation of statutory or decisional law

Johnson v County of Orange, 2016 NY Slip Op 02821, Appellate Division, Second Department

Supreme Court granted the Orange County Sheriff’s motion to dismiss Janine Johnson's Article 78 petition challenging her termination from her position while she was still serving her probationary period “for failure to state a cause of action.” Johnson had filed a “notice of appeal” that the Appellate Division deemed to be an application for leave to appeal, granted the “application” and then affirmed the Supreme Court’s ruling with costs.

The Appellate Division explained that a probationary employee “may be terminated without a hearing and without a statement of reasons in the absence of a demonstration that the termination was in bad faith, for a constitutionally impermissible or an illegal purpose, or in violation of statutory or decisional law." 

In addition, it should be noted that Rules promulgated by a civil service commission may set out administrative procedures and standards that control the termination of a probationary employee.* For example, in Scherbyn v Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, 77 NY2d 753, the Court of Appeals held that where the rules of a civil service commission specifically set out the reasons for which a probationary employee may be dismissed, the appointing authority's broad discretion with respect to terminating the services of probationers is subject to the limitations imposed by those standards. 

Further, as the court held in Yan Ping Xu v New York City Dept. of Health and Mental Hygiene, 121 AD3d 559,  a  department policy does not trump the probationary period established by law or by a rule or regulations having the force and effect of law. 

Another element to consider in the context of terminating a probationary employee is the "probationary status" of the individual. Case law indicates that a probationary employee may be terminated at any time after the completing his or her minimum period of probation prior to completing his or her maximum period of probation [see Gray v Bronx Developmental Center, 65 NY2d 904] unless otherwise provided by a collective bargaining agreement negotiated pursuant to the Taylor Law [Civil Service Law Article 14]. 

In contrast, if the probationer has not yet completed his or her minimum period probation, he or she is entitled to “notice and hearing” as a condition precedent to termination on the theory that the individual is entitled to a minimum period of service to demonstrate his or her ability to satisfactorily perform the duties of the position [see McKee v. Jackson, 152 AD2d 54]. 

In Johnson's case the Appellate Division found that the allegations in her petition were insufficient to state a cause of action that her employment was terminated “in bad faith, for a constitutionally impermissible or an illegal purpose, or in violation of statutory or decisional law.”

The Appellate Division also held that:

1. Johnson’s claims that the Orange County Sheriff's Office tolerated other relationships such as the one in which she was involved and did not have a formal anti-fraternization policy were inadequate to state a cause of action alleging that she was terminated in bad faith; and

2. Johnson was not entitled to a statement of the reason for the termination of her probationary employment, citing York v McGuire, 63 NY2d 760.

Accordingly, said the court, Supreme Court properly granted the appointing authority’s motion to dismiss Johnson’s petition.

* See, for example, 4 NYCRR 4.5(b) of the Rules of the State Civil Service Commission. Many local civil service commissions have adopted similar rules. 

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2016/2016_02821.htm

Lack of prior misconduct not sufficient to mitigate imposing the penalty of dismissal given the fraudulent nature of the individual’s misconduct

Lack of prior misconduct not sufficient to mitigate imposing the penalty of dismissal given the fraudulent nature of the individual’s misconduct

Ronga v New York City Dept. of Educ., 2016 NY Slip Op 02921, Appellate Division, First Department

In an earlier decision, Ronga v New York City Department of Education, 114 AD3d 527, the Appellate Division sustained the findings of the Disciplinary Hearing Officer that Ronga, a probationary principal at a New York City public school, [1] improperly directed subordinates to create fabricated teacher observation reports and professional development plans for which he himself was personally responsible, and [2] submitted those reports and plans to the superintendent.  

That court, however, had dismissed certain other charges and specifications filed against Ronga on due process grounds, vacated the penalty of termination imposed by the Hearing Officer, and then remanded the matter to the Hearing Officer for consideration of the appropriate penalty to be imposed based on the surviving charges and specifications.

The Hearing Officer, in accordance with the Appellate Division’s directive, reconsidered the penalty to be imposed and reimposed the penalty of termination. Again Ronga appealed but this time the Appellate Division affirmed the penalty the Hearing Officer had determined – dismissal from the position.

The Appellate Division explained that “[d]espite [Ronga’s] long-standing work history and lack of prior misconduct, given the fraudulent nature of his misconduct, the fact that he coerced subordinates into being complicit in his malfeasance, and the fact that his misconduct deprived teachers of important observations and evaluations, the penalty of termination does not shock [its] sense of fairness.”

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

http://www.nycourts.gov/reporter/3dseries/2016/2016_02921.htm

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Challenging Adverse Personnel Decisions - A 752-page volume focusing on New York State court and administrative decisions addressing an appropriate disciplinary penalty to be imposed on an employee in the public service found guilty of misconduct or incompetence. For more information click on http://nypplarchives.blogspot.com/

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