ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE IS NOT USED, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN THE SUMMARIES OF JUDICIAL AND QUASI-JUDICIAL DECISIONS PREPARED BY NYPPL

January 10, 2018

Municipal and school district audits released by State Comptroller DiNapoli on January 9, 2018



Municipal and school district audits released by State Comptroller DiNapoli on January 9, 2018

Click on text highlighted in color to access the full report
 

Aurora-Colden Fire District No. 6 – Financial Activity (Erie County)
Officials generally provide adequate oversight to ensure financial activity is properly recorded and district money is safeguarded. The district, however, did not solicit competition, or retain evidence of soliciting competition, for 97 purchases totaling $171,013 that were subject to its purchasing policy.

Columbia-Greene Community College – Information Technology (2017M-213)
The board has not adopted comprehensive written procedures for managing system access. The college did not adopt a breach notification policy and has never tested its disaster recovery plan; therefore, information may not be adequately safeguarded.

Village of Croton-on-Hudson – Payroll (Westchester County)
Auditors found that timesheets did not have employees’ signatures or show actual hours worked. Payroll records for the Department of Public Works revealed five employees were overpaid a total of $902. In addition, the village under-budgeted for overtime in the 2016-17 fiscal year by $284,608 or 43 percent.

Town of Dannemora – Part-Town Activities (Clinton County)
The town’s accounting records did not include a part-town (PT) general fund. General fund PT revenues and expenditures were not properly allocated. As a result, the town unnecessarily taxed town residents residing within the village which subsequently lowered tax rates for town residents living outside of the village.

East Islip Public Library – Cash Receipts (Suffolk County)
Cash was not always properly collected or deposited in a timely manner. Library staff did not issue adequate receipts for all collections and did not properly account for attraction tickets purchased in bulk and sold at a discount to cardholders. The library’s account clerk performed incompatible financial duties.

County of Franklin Solid Waste Management Authority – Solid Waste and Recycling Charges and Host Community Fees (2016M-418)
Officials had not established adequate procedures over solid waste and recycling charges to ensure customers were accurately charged and the corresponding amounts collected were deposited in a timely manner. Auditors found customers were charged varying rates for disposal of the same type of waste.

Town of Greece – Information Technology (Monroe County)
Town officials did not adopt a comprehensive online banking policy or adequately segregate online banking duties. In addition, the board did not adopt a comprehensive disaster recovery plan. As a result, the town has an increased risk that its IT data and components may be lost or misused and that the town will be unable to resume critical operations if a system failure occurs.

Johnsonville Fire District – Claims Processing (Rensselaer County)
Except for minor exceptions which we discussed with district officials, all of the claims reviewed by auditors were supported by sufficient documentation and for appropriate purposes.

Town of Nanticoke – Financial Condition Management (Broome County)
The town board did not effectively manage fund balance. From 2014 through 2016, budgeted appropriations exceeded expenditures, resulting in the accumulation of excess fund balance in the general fund. As of Dec.31, 2016, the fund balance in the general fund had increased 75 percent, to over $482,000, from approximately $275,000 in 2014. The board has not developed a fund balance policy or comprehensive multiyear financial and capital plans specifying the town’s objectives and goals for using the accumulated funds.

Town of Marbletown – Financial and Capital Planning (Ulster County)
The board does not have a comprehensive multiyear financial and capital plan or reserve policy to address the town’s operational and capital needs, including the replacement of vehicles and equipment, infrastructure or the aging highway garage. The board also has not adopted an adequate fund balance policy, which resulted in the town accumulating excessive fund balance in the general fund.

Municipal Parking Structures (2017MS-3)
The local governments reviewed have varying processes in place to inspect and monitor their parking structures. Although available reports indicate that the structures do not have any urgent repair needs, most units could improve their internal controls over parking structures and elevators. For example, the lack of periodic inspections has resulted in three Buffalo, two White Plains and possibly two Ithaca parking structures not having inspections conducted by structural engineers within the last 10 years.

City of Sherrill – Payroll and Community Activity Center Cash Receipts (Oneida County)
City officials accurately paid employees’ salaries and wages. However, officials need to improve controls over payroll preparation and processing. There is no independent certification of payroll prior to the distribution of payroll checks. In addition, city officials have not formalized policies and procedures over the community activity center’s cash collections.

Walden Fire District #2 – Purchasing (Erie County)
District officials did not obtain quotes in accordance with the district’s procurement policy during the audit period for 27 purchases totaling $77,044.

West Niles Fire Company – Financial Activities (Cayuga County)
The board has not established written policies and procedures for cash receipts, cash disbursements and fundraising activities or adopted a code of ethics to guide officers and members regarding expected standards of conduct, as required. Additionally, the bylaws provide limited guidance on the board’s responsibilities and the company treasurer’s duties.

Aloma D. Johnson Charter School – Leave Accruals (Erie County)
School officials did not maintain accurate, complete and supported leave accrual and use records. Auditors compared the 2015-16 leave balances for all 62 employees to the 2016-17 beginning leave balances recorded in the employee leave records and found that 12 of these employees’ leave carryover amounts were overstated by 47 days.

Center Moriches Union Free School District – Medicaid Reimbursements (Suffolk County)
The district did not claim $117,670 in costs for individual education plan-related services provided to Medicaid-eligible students because it did not obtain prescriptions, parental consent was not obtained or service providers did not meet certain qualifications for reimbursement or did not provide the proper documentation for claiming reimbursement.

Colton-Pierrepont Central School District – Financial Duties (St. Lawrence County)
Salaries and wages were accurately calculated and paid. However, the district clerk’s duties are not adequately segregated because she processes all non-payroll and payroll disbursements with limited oversight.

Kendall Central School District – Capital Project (Orleans County)
Officials did not present a district-wide capital improvement project to the public in a transparent manner. Because the project’s actual cost ended up being below the maximum amount authorized by the voters, officials had an opportunity to spend significantly less than anticipated. However, district officials decided to complete additional work and expand the project scope without informing the voters.

Madison-Oneida Board of Cooperative Educational Services (2017M-239)
Employee salaries and wages were accurately paid. However, payroll access rights were not adequately restricted to employees based on job duties. In addition, duties related to the payroll certification process were not properly segregated.

South Country Central School District – Information Technology Inventory (Suffolk County)
The district does not have a complete and accurate inventory of information technology (IT) equipment. District officials have not adequately accounted for IT assets and they have no assurance that the assets have been adequately protected from loss, theft or misuse. Further, in the event of a disaster, district officials would be unable to provide its insurance company with an accurate list of IT assets to replace.

Ticonderoga Central School District – Transportation State Aid and Extra-Classroom Activity Funds (Essex County)
The district did not apply for all transportation state aid for new bus acquisitions. As a result, the district was in danger of potentially losing $194,852 in state aid. In addition, club collections were not supported by adequate documentation and were not always deposited in the amounts received.

Wellsville Central School District – Financial Management (Allegany County)
The district’s unrestricted fund balance has exceeded the statutory limit for the past three fiscal years by amounts ranging from $1.5 million to nearly $3 million. District officials have also allowed the unemployment reserve balance to accumulate to an excessive level and have not used funds from the retirement contribution reserve as budgeted.

Westmoreland Central School District – State Transportation Aid (Oneida County)
District officials did not apply for state transportation aid within one year of purchase for 18 buses purchased during our audit period. During the audit, the district business manager prepared and submitted state aid forms to the New York State Department of Education for the 18 buses, and the district should receive approximately $1.3 million in transportation aid for these buses through 2021-22.

January 09, 2018

Making an appointment to a position to take effect on a specified date in the future

Making an appointment to a position to take effect on a specified date in the future
Farrell v City of
Kingston, 2017 NY Slip Op 09214, Appellate Division, Third Department

In 2015, Shayne Gallo, the City of Kingston's then-Mayor, appointed Robert Farrell to the position of sergeant, effective January 10, 2016, and Kirk Strand to the position of lieutenant effective January 3, 2016.

On January 1, 2016, Steve Noble was sworn in as the City's new mayor and on January 2, 2016, the City's Police Citizens Advisory Board [PCAB] met and voted to rescind the Strand and Farrell appointments as invalid.

On January 9, 2016, Noble appointed three other officers, Richard Negron, Andrew Zell and Brian Lowe, as sergeants but did not make an appointment to the lieutenant position.*

In April 2016, Strand and Farrell [Petitioners] commenced this combined CPLR Article 78 proceeding and plenary action, contending, among other things, that the PCAB's rescission of their respective appointments should be vacated. Petitioners alleged that the Gallo  appointments should be deemed valid on the ground that Mayor was the appointing authority pursuant to the City of Kingston Charter and thus the PCAB  action was, in effect, ultra virus, without lawful authority, to rescind those appointments.**

Supreme Court granted the City's motion in its entirety, dismissing Petitioners' first three causes of action for failure to join certain necessary parties and dismissing Petitioners' employment discrimination cause of action for failure to file a notice of claim. Petitioners appealed.

Citing Morgan v de Blasio, 29 NY3d 559, the Appellate Division held that Supreme Court ruling that Negron, Zell, Lowe, Robertson and Burkert were necessary parties to the subject proceeding, explaining that  "any individual or entity who might be inequitably affected by a judgment in a proceeding, or who ought to be a party if complete relief is to be accorded between those who are parties to the proceeding, shall be named as a necessary party." The Appellate Division pointed out that were Farrell to obtain an annulment of the rescission of his appointment as sergeant and be reinstated to that position, either Negron, Zell or Lowe stand to be displaced from their promotion to sergeant.

By the same token, the Appellate Division opined that should Strand prevail with respect to his appointment to lieutenant and be reinstated to that position, Burkert and Roberston, as two of the top three candidates listed for promotion to the position of lieutenant "would lose their right to consideration for that post" and thus they are necessary parties with respect to an appointment to the position of lieutenant.

The Appellate Division also ruled that because Negron, Zell, Lowe, Robertson and Burkert are necessary parties and are subject to Supreme Court's jurisdiction insofar as they were employees of the City of Kingston Police Department at the time of commencement of this proceeding, the court should have ordered them joined and remitted the matter to Supreme Court to order Negron, Zell, Lowe, Robertson and Burkert to be joined as necessary parties.

It should be noted that [1] Robert Farrell was appointed to the position of sergeant effective January 10, 2016, and [2] Kirk Strand was appointed to the position of lieutenant effective January 3, 2016 and [3] that these Petitioners contend that City's Police Citizens Advisory Board's [PCAB] vote to rescind the Strand and Farrell appointments was invalid.

On February 9, 2016, Noble appointed three other officers, Richard Negron, Andrew Zell and Brian Lowe, as sergeants. Assuming that there were only three vacancies of Sergeant on February 9 and appointments to these vacancies were made prior to the effective date of Farrell's appointment, it could be argued that Farrell's appointment effective January 10 was rescinded by Noble's actions appointing  Negron, Zell and Lowe sergeants effective February 9.

In Remus v Tonawanda City School Dist., 277 A.D.2d 905, affirmed, 96 N.Y.2d 271, the court held that a Board of Education resolution that grants tenure to a teacher effective on a specified future date does not entitled the teacher to the benefits of tenure until the effective date specified in the resolution. See, also, Shaffer v Schenectady City School Dist., 96 N.Y.2d 271, to the same effect.

Strand's appointment to the position of lieutenant effective January 3, 2016, however,  raises a different issue.

If, as he contends, the City's Police Citizens Advisory Board's  [PCAB] vote to rescind his appointment was invalid, and Strand was otherwise eligible for permanent appointment to the position of lieutenant from the appropriate eligible list for Lieutenant, his appointment to the vacancy matured on January 3 as it appears that no valid substitute appointment to the position was made prior to January 3 by the appointing authority, nor was the appointment cancelled or withdrawn by the new mayor, Steve Noble.

Assuming, but not deciding, that such is the case, Strand was permanently appointed to the position of lieutenant subject to his satisfactory completion of any required probationary period effective January 3. If, on the other hand, Strand's appointment was initially made as a contingent permanent appointment, as a provisional appointment or as a temporary appointment by the former mayor, Shayne Gallo, Strand's appointment and  continuation in the lieutenant position would be controlled by the relevant provision or provisions of the Civil Service Law.

* Strand and two other officers, Brian Robertson and Anthony Burkert, were the only three officers on a certification of eligibles for appointment to the lieutenant position. However, although the appears to be a mandatory eligible list for appointment to the vacant lieutenant position, the appointing authority is not mandated to fill such a vacancy but only required to make an appointment to the vacancy from the eligible list if the position is to be filled absent other lawful appointment opportunities  for the appointing authority to appoint an eligible individual to the vacancy.

** Petitioners also alleged that they had been subjected unlawful discrimination within the meaning of Labor Law §201-d "for politically supporting Gallo."

The decision is posted on the Internet at:

January 08, 2018

Withdrawing a resignation delivered to an appointing authority


Withdrawing a resignation delivered to an appointing authority
Buffolino v New York City Dept. of Educ., 2017 NY Slip Op 09231, Appellate Division, First Department

The New York City Department of Education [DOE] accepted* a letter of resignation submitted by Christine Buffolino dated December 2, 2015 and allegedly to take effect December 14, 2015. Buffolino subsequently denied having sent the letter of resignation to the Superintendent of the school [sic] and on December 17 and 18, 2015, sought to withdraw and, or, rescind the letter.

DOE terminated Buffolino from her teaching position effective December 14, 2015 and she initiated a "hybrid proceeding" pursuant to CPLR Article 78 and 42 USC §1983 in Supreme Court seeking a court order annulling DOE action. Supreme Court dismissed the Article 78 petition and Buffolino appealed.  

The Appellate Division modified Supreme Court's ruling "on the law" with respect to the Article 78 action but vacated Supreme Court's dismissal of Buffolino's 42 USC §1983 claim and converted the proceeding into a "plenary action."

With respect to the §1983 claim, the court held that "[i]n the absence of a motion to dismiss the 42 USC §1983 claim, conversion of this proceeding to a plenary action is warranted."

Turning to the Article 78 action, the Appellate Division, citing Matter of Gil v Department of Educ. of the City of N.Y., 146 AD3d 688, explained that the Article 78 petition was properly dismissed by Supreme Court as premature, as it was brought prior to the conclusion of the grievance procedure set forth in the collective bargaining agreement entered into between Buffolino's union and her employer

* Some comments and observations concerning an individual's effort to withdraw a resignation:

Except as otherwise provided by law, rule or regulation, or by the terms of a collective bargaining agreement, a resignation need only be delivered to the appointing authority, or the appointing authority's designee, prior to receipt of a notice that the individual has rescinded or withdrawn it to be effective. Acceptance of the resignation is not required for it to be operative [Hazelton v Connelly, 25 NYS2d 74]. 

Courts, however, typically rule that the receipt of a withdrawal of a resignation by the appointing authority [or designee] before the resignation itself is delivered effectively voids the resignation [see Grogan v Holland Patent CSD, 262 AD2d 1009].

An example of a situation where acceptance of a resignation is mandated by statute: §2111 of the Education Law provides that an officer of a school district may "resign at a district meeting" or, in the alternative, the officer "shall also be deemed to have resigned if he filed a written resignation with the district superintendent of his district and such superintendent endorses thereon his approval and files the same with the district clerk" [emphasis supplied].

In contrast to an individual's efforts to withdraw his or her resignation, an appointing authority may elect to ignore a lawfully delivered resignation. 

For example, 4 NYCRR 5.3(b), which applies to employees of the State in the classified service as the employer,  provides that in the event “… charges of incompetency or misconduct have been or are about to be filed against an employee, the appointing authority may elect to disregard a resignation filed by such employee and to prosecute such charges and, in the event that such employee is found guilty of such charges and dismissed from the service, his [or her] termination shall be recorded as a dismissal rather than as a resignation" [emphasis supplied]. Many political subdivisions of the State have adopted a similar provision.

Presumably an appointing authority could elect to disregard an employee's “retirement” from his or her position under similar circumstances [See Mari v Safir, 291 AD2d 298, leave to appeal denied, 98 NY2d 61].

Another possible situation that may triggered in a "resignation situation" concerns §1133.1 of the State Education Law. §1133.1 provides that “[a] school administrator or superintendent shall not make any agreement to withhold from law enforcement authorities, the superintendent or the commissioner, where appropriate, the fact that an allegation of child abuse in an educational setting on the part of any employee or volunteer as required by [Article 23-B of the Education Law] in return for the resignation or voluntary suspension from his or her position of such person, against whom the allegation is made."

The decision is posted on the Internet at:


January 07, 2018

Independent contractor not an “employee” within the meaning of Title VII


Independent contractor not an “employee” within the meaning of Title VII
Isom v Valey Forge Insurance Co., USCA, 5th Circuit, No. 17-60014
Source: Selected reports posted by WK Workday

The full summary of this decision by Lorene D. Park, J.D. is posted on the Internet at:
http://www.employmentlawdaily.com/index.php/news/title-vii-plaintiff-not-employee-under-liability-policy-so-4m-settlement-not-covered/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+CCH-Workday+%28WK+WorkDay%29

A “contract employee” physician who worked as an anesthesiologist claimed a surgeon and the medical practice of which he was CEO refused to work with the physician because he is black. The EEOC’s investigation of his charge ended after the agency concluded he was an independent contractor. He filed a Title VII race discrimination suit and the defendants filed claims with their insurers under policies providing employment practices liability (EPL) coverage and Businessowners liability coverage. The insurers refused to defend or indemnify, arguing the claims were not covered by the policies. The parties settled the discrimination suit for $4 million, but instead of paying damages, the surgeon and his practice assigned the physician their right to sue the liability insurers for indemnity.

The physician filed suit alleging a breach of contract claim against the insurers for breaching their duty to defend and indemnify under the policies and a claim for breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The insurers moved for summary judgment, arguing that the claims in the underlying suit were not covered by any policy which they issued and, because there was no breach, there could not have been a breach of implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing. The district court granted the insurer's motion for summary judgment and the Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed.

The 5th Circuit's decision is posted on the Internet at


January 06, 2018

Competing directive force required teachers to decide whether they should obey the superintendent or the school board



Competing directive force required teachers to decide whether they should obey the superintendent or the school board

Appeal of [School Superintendent] Nicole Williams from action of the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Poughkeepsie regarding teacher transfers 
Decisions of the Commissioner of Education, Decision No. 17,298

Law Office of Stanley J. Silverstone, attorneys for petitioner, Stanley J. Silverstone, Esq., of counsel

Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC, attorneys for respondents, Howard M. Miller, Esq., of counsel

ELIA, Commissioner.--Petitioner appeals from a July 14, 2017 resolution of the Board of Education of the City School District of the City of Poughkeepsie (“respondent board”) which placed a moratorium on all involuntary transfers of teachers and administrators for the 2017-2018 school year, as well as board directives issued on September 1, 2017 and actions taken by two tenured teachers, Shereen Cader (“respondent Cader”) and John Sammon (“respondent Sammon”) in conformity therewith.  The appeal must be sustained in part.

At all times relevant to this appeal, petitioner was the superintendent, and respondents Cader and Sammon were tenured teachers within respondent board’s district. 

On July 16, 2015, Poughkeepsie Middle School (“PMS” or the “receivership school”) in respondent’s district, was designated a “struggling school” pursuant to Education Law §211-f(1)(a).[1]  Petitioner was vested with the authority of superintendent receiver with respect to PMS pursuant to Education Law §211-f(2) and continues to exercise such duties as of the time of this decision.[2]

On June 15, 2017, respondent Cader was informed by her building principal that she would be transferred from Krieger Elementary School to Warring Elementary School in respondent’s district for the 2017-2018 school year.  On the same day, respondent Sammon was informed by his building principal that he would be transferred from teaching fourth grade at Warring Elementary School to teaching fifth grade at Krieger Elementary School in respondent’s district.  Both teachers objected to their reassignments and did not comply with these directives.

On July 14, 2017, respondent board adopted Resolution 18-0013 which “place[d] a moratorium on all involuntary transfers of teachers and administrators for the 2017-2018 school year pending further study by the Board.” 

On August 28, 2017, petitioner issued six directives transferring teachers in respondent board’s district to different school assignments.  While respondents Cader and Sammon were informed in June 2017 that they would be transferred to different elementary schools, petitioner’s August 28, 2017 directives transferred respondents Cader and Sammon to PMS.  Four teachers complied with petitioner’s directives; respondents Cader and Sammon did not.

Also on August 28, 2017, petitioner wrote to respondent board, informing it of the six transfers including those of respondents Cader and Sammon, and affirmatively stated that she was “exercising [her] authority” pursuant to Education Law §211-f to “[s]upersede a decision [i.e., the July 14, 2017 resolution] made by the Board of Education.”  Petitioner further explained, in her view, “why the [July 14, 2017] Board directive ... [wa]s legally impermissible.”  Attached to this letter was a document explaining, among other things, the reasons why petitioner ordered the involuntary transfers.[3]

On August 30, 2017, respondent board’s president emailed petitioner on behalf of the board at 10:28 a.m., objecting to petitioner’s directives and requesting that petitioner provide answers to five questions relating to each teacher’s transfer by 5:00 p.m. that same day and reminded petitioner that the July 14 board resolution remained in effect.  The questions included queries as to why petitioner ordered the August 28, 2017transfers and why the transfers were proposed so close to the beginning of the school year.  Petitioner responded to each of respondent board’s questions within the requested timeframe.  In her response, petitioner stated that she had ordered the transfers “[t]o support the Receivership school/Struggling school.”  With specific respect to respondent board’s query as to why the transfers were proposed so close to the beginning of the school year, petitioner answered that the “[b]oard issued a moratorium.”

On September 1, 2017, respondent board issued separate letters to respondents Cader and Sammon advising them “to disregard the letter[s] [they] may have received” from petitioner “and report to the same school building that you served in during the 2016-2017 school year that is NOT in ‘Receivership’” (emphasis in original).[4],[5]  This appeal ensued.

Petitioner contends that respondent board’s July 14, 2017 Resolution, imposing a moratorium on involuntary transfers for the 2017-2018 school year, interfered with her authority as superintendent receiver of PMS.  She further asserts that the July resolution violates Education Law §§1711 and 2508 because those provisions give a superintendent authority to transfer teachers in the first  instance.  Petitioner also asserts that the six directives issued by respondent board in September 2017 violate her receivership authority under Education Law §211-f.  Petitioner seeks a determination that respondent board’s July 14, 2017 resolution and its September directives are null and void and petitioner requests that I confirm the validity and enforceability of all teacher transfers.  Petitioner also seeks a determination that Board Policy 9420 is null and void to the extent it grants the board power to approve or disapprove teacher transfers beyond the authority granted by the New York State Education Law.

Respondents contend that respondent board’s actions were “lawful and necessary to protect its students and staff.”  Respondents further argue that petitioner’s August 28, 2017transfers did not represent the best interests of the district; that petitioner did not immediately report the transfers to respondent board; and that petitioner acted with retaliatory or otherwise improper motives.[6]  In their answer, respondents waived any defense as to timeliness and instead, requested a “‘swift’ determination on the merits.”

First, I must address a procedural matter.  Respondents’ memorandum of law contains newly raised assertions.  A memorandum of law should consist of arguments of law (8 NYCRR §276.4) and may not be used to add belated assertions or exhibits that are not part of the pleadings (Appeal of Bruning and Coburn-Bruning, 48 Ed Dept Rep 84, Decision No. 15,799; Appeal of Wright, 47 id. 202, Decision No. 15,668).  Therefore, I have not considered any arguments which respondents raise for the first time in their memorandum of law.

Further, to the extent the parties dispute the validity of the June 2017 transfers of respondents Cader and Sammon, such claims must be dismissed as moot.  The Commissioner will only decide matters in actual controversy and will not render a decision on a state of facts which no longer exist or which subsequent events have laid to rest (Appeal of a Student with a Disability, 48 Ed Dept Rep 532, Decision No. 15,940; Appeal of M.M., 48 id. 527, Decision No. 15,937; Appeal of Embro, 48 id. 204, Decision No. 15,836).  The June 2017 orders transferring respondents Cader and Sammon to Warring Elementary School and Krieger Elementary School, respectively, have been superseded by petitioner’s August 28, 2017 directives which transferred respondents Cader and Sammon to PMS.  Therefore, to the extent the parties raise claims or defenses with respect to the June 2017 transfers, this issue has been rendered academic by petitioner’s August 28, 2017 directives and need not be addressed.

Additionally, in their answer respondents request that petitioner be removed as superintendent and receiver pursuant to Education Law §306.  However, respondents have not filed a removal application pursuant to that section or cited any authority or basis for petitioner’s removal “as receiver” in an appeal pursuant to Education Law §310 and, therefore, I need not address respondents’ contentions in this regard.[7]

Turning to the merits, in an appeal to the Commissioner, a petitioner has the burden of demonstrating a clear legal right to the relief requested and the burden of establishing the facts upon which petitioner seeks relief (8 NYCRR §275.10; Appeal of Aversa, 48 Ed Dept Rep 523, Decision No. 15,936; Appeal of Hansen, 48 id. 354, Decision No. 15,884; Appeal of P.M., 48 id. 348, Decision No. 15,882).

Petitioner first contends that respondent board’s July 14, 2017 resolution prohibiting involuntary transfers in the 2017-2018 school year violates Education Law §2508.  I agree.  With specific respect to city school districts with less than one hundred twenty-five thousand inhabitants, pursuant to Education Law §2508(5), a superintendent within such a district has the authority: to transfer teachers from one school to another, or from one grade of the course of study to another grade in such course, and to report immediately such transfers to such board for its consideration and action.

The plain language of Education Law §2508 bestows the superintendent with the authority “to transfer teachers from one school to another.”  Moreover, the authority of a superintendent to assign teachers “has been held to be absolute in the absence of contractual provision otherwise or of malice, bad faith, gross error or prejudice” (Alderstein v. Bd. of Educ. of the City of New York, 64 NY2d 90).  Although such decisions must be “report[ed] immediately” to the board “for its consideration and action,” a board may not circumvent this procedure by removing the superintendent’s authority to make such transfers in the first instance.  While respondent board argues that the resolution was “lawful and necessary to protect its students and staff,” respondent board has not explained how it was prohibited from “protect[ing]” its students and staff under the existing statutory procedure, where it retained ultimate authority to disallow any such transfer.  Therefore, I find that the July 14, 2017 “moratorium on all involuntary transfers of teachers and administrators” conflicts with the superintendent’s general authority to transfer teachers in the first instance under Education Law §2508 and must be annulled.

Moreover, I find that respondent board’s September 1, 2017 directives to these teachers unlawfully interfered with petitioner’s powers as a superintendent receiver to supersede a board’s decision pursuant to Education Law §211-f.  In April 2015, the Legislature enacted Subpart H of Part EE of Chapter 56 of the Laws of 2015 which added a new section (211-f) to the Education Law pertaining to school receivership.  Section 211-f designates a school that has been identified as a “priority school” in each applicable year of the three consecutive school year period comprising 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015,[8] as “failing schools” (referred to in §100.19[a][1] of the Commissioner’s regulations, and hereinafter, as “struggling schools”) and vests the superintendent of the district with the powers of an independent receiver.  As relevant to this appeal, PMS was designated a struggling school and petitioner, as a “superintendent receiver,” was given two years to improve student performance.  If it failed to demonstrate improvement at the conclusion of the two-year period, an independent receiver would be appointed.  On October 27, 2017, the Commissioner notified petitioner that PMS made demonstrable improvement and therefore, the school continues to operate under the authority of petitioner, as superintendent receiver. 

Education Law §211-f provides persons or entities vested with the powers of a receiver new authority to, among other things, develop a school intervention plan; convert schools to community schools providing wrap-around services; reallocate funds in the school’s budget; expand the school day or school year; establish professional development plans; replace teachers and administrators, including school leadership who are not appropriately licensed or certified; establish steps to improve hiring, induction, teacher evaluation, professional development, teacher advancement, school culture and organizational structure; order the conversion of the school to a charter school consistent with applicable state laws; remove staff and/or require staff to reapply for their jobs in collaboration with a staffing committee.

In addition, and as relevant to this appeal, a receiver, including a superintendent receiver, shall [also] be authorized to manage and operate the failing or persistently failing school and shall have the power to supersede any decision, policy or regulation of the superintendent of schools or chief school officer, or of the board of education or another school officer or the building principal that in the sole judgment of the receiver conflicts with the school intervention plan; provided however that the receiver may not supersede decisions that are not directly linked to the school intervention plan, including but not limited to building usage plans, co-location decisions and transportation of students (Education Law §211-f[2][b] [emphasis added]).

A receiver may invoke the power to supersede so long as the receiver notifies the board of education, superintendent of schools or chief school officer, and the principal in writing “not fewer than 10 business days prior to the effective date of the supersession of the specific decision, policy or regulation that the receiver plans to supersede” (8 NYCRR §100.19[g][7]; see generallyEducation Law §211-f[2][b]).  In such a written notice of supersession, the receiver must provide: [T]he reasons for supersession; the specific decision, policy, or regulation that will replace the one that shall be superseded; and the time period during which the supersession shall remain in effect (8 NYCRR §100.19[g][7]).

Petitioner asserts in an affidavit that she became “aware in August 2017 of more staff vacancies at Poughkeepsie Middle School [i.e., the receivership school] than anticipated.”  She also states that she decided to transfer two teachers out of the receivership school due to their poor performance pursuant to her receivership authority under Education Law §211-f.[9]  Petitioner further states in her reply affidavit that: Ensuring that there are effective teachers in the classrooms in [the receivership school], as well as all schools in the district is the single most important strategy I have as a superintendent receiver and the superintendent of [respondent board’s district] for increasing student learning and academic achievement.  Matching skill to the needs is critically important.

On August 28, 2017, petitioner wrote to respondent board, informing it of the six transfers, including those of respondents Cader and Sammon, and affirmatively stated that she was “exercising [her] authority” pursuant to Education Law §211-f to “[s]upersede a decision [i.e., the July 14, 2017 resolution] made by the Board of Education.”  Petitioner further explained, in her view, “why the [July 14, 2017] Board directive ... [wa]s legally impermissible.”  Attached to this letter was a document explaining, among other things, the reasons why petitioner ordered the involuntary transfers.  With respect to respondent Cader, petitioner stated: “[r]eceivership needs/skill set match for the sixth (6) grade.  Certification is aligned with the instructional needs at PMS.”  With respect to respondent Sammon, petitioner indicated: “[r]eceivership needs/skill set match for the sixth (6) grade.  Certification is aligned with the instructional needs at PMS as a former instructional ELA coach.”

In an email to petitioner dated August 30, 2017, the board president stated: “[t]his will acknowledge receipt of your letter dated August 28, 2017regarding teacher transfers.”  Petitioner’s position, as expressed in the August 28, 2017letter to the board and on appeal, is that the July 14, 2017resolution violated the Education Law. 

Petitioner also advised respondents of the “time period during which the supersession would remain in effect”; i.e., the 2017-2018 school year (8 NYCRR §100.19[g][7]).  Thus, the record demonstrates that petitioner followed the supersession procedure outlined in 8 NYCRR §100.19(g)(7). 

I also find that the August 28, 2017 transfers were “directly linked to the school intervention plan” as required by Education Law §211-f(2)(b).  The school intervention continuation plan for PMS for the 2017-2018 school year explicitly identified “excessive teacher absences and turnover” as a concern, and noted that “staffing continues to be a challenge.”  The plan also includes a summary of concerns/recommendations from the community engagement team established pursuant to 8 NYCRR §100.19(b), which included, among other things, that teachers at PMS were teaching two or more subjects.  Thus, I find that the board’s July 14, 2017 and September 1, 2017 decisions to prohibit involuntary transfers directly conflicted with the school intervention plan by prohibiting petitioner from ensuring that there was adequate staff to address shortages and staffing at the receivership school (Education Law §211-f[2][b]).

Respondents also assert that the transfers were not in the best interest of the district and did not serve any educational purpose.  However, the record reflects that petitioner became aware of more staff vacancies than expected at PMS in August 2017 and that she decided to transfer two low-performing teachers out of the receivership school.  Respondents admit in their answer that respondents Cader and Sammon are “two of the [d]istrict’s most accomplished elementary educators [and] members of their respective school’s Transformation Teams,” and it is beyond cavil that these accomplished educators’ skills would aid the receivership school.  Further, in her August 28, 2017letter, petitioner indicated that respondents Cader and Sammon were transferred based upon the “[r]eceivership needs” of PMS and the fact that their “skill set[s]” were a “match for the sixth (6) grade” and that their certifications were “aligned with the instructional needs at PMS.”  Petitioner also asserted in this letter that respondent Sammon’s experience as a “former instructional ELA coach” matched the needs at PMS.

Respondent Cader argues that petitioner’s transfer order was irrational because respondent Cader has never taught a sixth-grade classroom and has never taught at PMS.  Respondent Sammon argues that he was asked to teach a subject he had never taught before.  However, petitioner refutes these assertions.  In her reply affidavit, petitioner states as follows:

[B]oth teachers are properly certified to teach 6th grade.  In the 6thgrade, teachers receive professional development daily, so they would have been brought up to the level of competence quickly as the focus is on literacy strategies, which is across grade levels.  In the middle school, Cader and Sammon would have been part of a team with only one subject to prepare for as opposed to all the core subjects in elementary school.  We use an interdisciplinary literacy approach, so they would have been well prepared to support a humanities team approach.  Mr. Sammon, with his background and experience in academic coaching, would not have had difficulty in transferring to the middle school on short notice.

Petitioner further asserts that respondent Cader has taught “every summer in the transitional 6th grade summer program” for at least the past three years.[10]

While I acknowledge that the record contains conflicting evidence as to the benefits and appropriateness of petitioner’s transfers, this evidence does not demonstrate that petitioner acted with such malice, bad faith, gross error or prejudice which might justify setting the transfers aside (Alderstein v. Bd. of Educ. of the City of New York, 64 NY2d 90; see Matter of Woicik, 2 Ed Dept Rep 171, Decision No. 7,019).  Respondents further assert that petitioner’s August 28 transfer orders constituted retaliation for certain actions, including respondent Sammon’s declination of “a position in central administration,” which petitioner “conveyed to [him] through another administrator.”  However, petitioner denies that she offered respondent Sammon such a position, and the record contains no proof substantiating respondent Sammon’s allegations in this regard.[11]  Therefore, I find that respondents have failed to demonstrate that petitioner’s actions were committed with such malice, bad faith, gross error or prejudice which might justify setting the transfers aside.

I am similarly unpersuaded by respondents’ argument that Education Law §211-f does not permit the challenged transfers because they would “eviscerate critical resources from every other school building in the [d]istrict.”  Education Law §211-f sets forth two limitations on a receiver’s supersession powers:  (1) any supersession must be “directly linked to the school intervention plan”; and (2) a supersession cannot relate to a superintendent’s employment status (see Education Law §211-f[1][c][i], [2][b])).  Given this unambiguous language, I decline to read additional exceptions into the statute.  In any event, I note that respondents have submitted no proof to support a finding that, in fact, the transfers threatened the resources of every school building in respondent board’s district.  Therefore, I find respondents’ arguments without merit.

Petitioner additionally requests that I declare Board Policy 9420 null and void insofar as it permits the board to unilaterally effectuate teacher transfers.  Respondent board’s Policy 9420 provides, in pertinent part:

Within the provisions of the appropriate negotiated contracts and state laws, the Superintendent of Schools will assign, transfer and reclassify district personnel subject to Board of Education approval.

Since respondent board’s Policy 9420 includes language that says “[w]ithin the provisions of . . . state laws,” I find that any superintendent transfers must be conducted in accordance with Education Law §§2508 and 211-f, as well as any other applicable State laws.  Therefore, I decline to declare Board Policy 9420 null and void. 

Respondents Cader and Sammon have requested certificates of good faith pursuant to Education Law §3811.  Such certification is solely for the purpose of authorizing the board to indemnify a respondent for legal fees and expenses incurred in defending a proceeding arising out of the exercise of his or her powers or performance of duties as a board member or other title listed in §3811(1). It is appropriate to issue such certification unless it is established on the record that the requesting respondent acted in bad faith (Application of Valentin, 56 Ed Dept Rep, Decision No. 17,014; Application of Paladino, 53 id., Decision No. 16,594; Application of Lieberman, 52 id., Decision No. 16,483).  However, Education Law §3811 applies only to board members, certain school officers and “non-instructional district employees.”  Respondents Cader and Sammon are tenured teachers and, thus, do not fall within the scope of Education Law  §3811.  Accordingly, they are not entitled to the requested certificate.

Finally, I am compelled to comment on the acrimonious relationship between petitioner and respondents detailed in the record.  Although petitioner and respondent board reached differing conclusions as to the permissibility of the teacher transfers, it is troubling that the parties resorted to issuing competing directives, thereby forcing the affected teachers to decide whether they should obey the superintendent or the board.  Further, the nature and tenor of the serious accusations made as part of this appeal reveal an unacceptable level of rancor that is not conducive to the effective governance of a public school district.  I admonish the parties to take all steps necessary to ensure that this controversy does not continue and that the district’s leadership and resources are focused on the paramount goal of providing successful outcomes for students.  To this end, I am directing my Office of Innovation and School Reform to provide guidance and technical assistance to the district in order to ensure that all parties understand, and are in compliance with, the requirements related to the receivership school.

In light of the above disposition, I need not address the parties’ remaining contentions.

THE APPEAL IS SUSTAINED TO THE EXTENT INDICATED. 

IT IS ORDERED that respondent board’s July 14, 2017 resolution is hereby annulled; and

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that respondent board’s September 1, 2017 directives are hereby annulled; and

IT IS FURTHER ORDERED that petitioner’s August 28, 2017 transfer orders by given full legal force and effect.
 


[1]With respect to the takeover and restructuring of schools, the Education Law refers to “failing” and “persistently failing” schools while the Commissioner's regulations refer to such schools as “struggling” and “persistently struggling” schools.  All references herein conform to the Commissioner’s regulations.

[2]On or about October 26, 2017, the Commissioner notified petitioner that the Poughkeepsie Middle School made demonstratable improvement pursuant to Education Law §211-f. 

[3] Petitioner and respondents have submitted different versions of this document.  Specifically, petitioner’s version contains two notes with respect to respondents Cader and Sammon indicating that they “did not transfer” in June or August.  These typed notations are not included in respondents’ version.  Respondents have submitted an affidavit from the district’s director of technology attesting that the letter and attachment were sent via email, and that respondents’ version represents what was received by respondents.  Counsel for petitioner, in a submission which I have accepted pursuant to 8 NYCRR §276.5, indicates that the version of the document which he submitted was a digital version maintained by petitioner.  Counsel for petitioner further admits that petitioner added the additional notations after she submitted the document to respondent board, but denies any wrongdoing in connection therewith.  Therefore, I accept respondents’ affidavit and evidence pursuant to 8 NYCRR §276.5 and have relied solely on the version submitted by respondents.

[4] A substantially identical copy of this letter was sent to another of the six teachers who was transferred by petitioner.  However, that teacher complied with petitioner’s directive and, thus, is not the subject of this appeal.

[5] On September 13, 2017, respondent Cader received an email from petitioner’s secretary stating that she was suspended immediately and that her actions could result in potential charges under Education Law §3020-a.  On September 14, 2017, respondent board rescinded the suspension and returned respondent Cader to Krieger Elementary School

[6] Respondent Cader also summarily asserts in her affidavit that she was transferred involuntarily and that her teaching location preference was disregarded in violation of a collective bargaining agreement (“CBA”) between the Poughkeepsie Teachers’ Association and respondent board.  Respondents did not raise this claim in their answer.  Accordingly, this claim is not before me for review.  But even assuming, arguendo, that respondents had raised this claim in their answer, I would decline to address this claim because the Civil Service Law vests exclusive jurisdiction over complaints involving collective bargaining in the Public Employment Relations Board (Civil Service Law §205(5)(d); seeNew York City Transit Authority v. New York State Public Employment Relations Board, et al., 19 NY3d 876).  Although the Commissioner has assumed jurisdiction over a CBA which explicitly contemplated an appeal pursuant to Education Law §310 as part of its grievance procedure, neither party has asserted that the CBA here includes such a provision (Appeal of Eastern Suffolk Bd. of Cooperative Educ. Svcs. Administrative/Supervisory Unit, 52 Ed Dept Rep, Decision No. 16,413).  Therefore, the effect of the CBA on the challenged actions is not before me and will not be addressed herein.  Moreover, Education Law §211-f(8) provides that, in order to maximize the rapid achievement of students at the applicable school, the receiver may request that the collective bargaining unit(s) representing teachers and administrators and the receiver, on behalf of the board of education, negotiate a receivership agreement that modifies the applicable collective bargaining agreement(s) with respect to any struggling schools in receivership applicable during the period of receivership. Neither party has addressed whether such a receivership agreement was in effect for PMS.

[7] Additionally, there is no basis in the record to, as respondents request, initiate a proceeding pursuant to Part 83 of the Commissioner’s regulations regarding petitioner’s moral character.

[8] The law provides an exception for one school year in which the school was not identified because of an approved closure plan that was not implemented.

[9] Petitioner asserts in her reply affidavit that it is not uncommon to transfer teachers in August because circumstances may change after the end of the school year. 

[10] Respondent also submits an affidavit from the principal of Warring Elementary School, who provides that the “last minute decision to transfer Mr. Sammon makes no educational sense”.  I find this affidavit uncompelling.  The principal does not provide any reason/rationale as to why the transfer was illegal and/or how the transfer would not made for the educational benefit of the students in PMS.  On the contrary, the principal himself merely states that respondent Sammon is “Warring’s top educator” and as a result should not be transferred to PMS.

[11] Petitioner admits, however, that respondent Sammon was given an opportunity to create a teachers’ center at Warring Elementary School in the 2013-2014 school year, and that after this program was discontinued in 2015-2016, respondent Sammon returned to his position as a classroom teacher.

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