Source: http://masscases.com/cases/sjc/329/329mass370.html
Timestamp: 2019-04-19 17:01:43+00:00

Document:
EDGAR L. DEMERS vs. SCHOOL COMMITTEE OF WORCESTER.
BILL IN EQUITY, filed in the Superior Court on October 2, 1950.
The suit was heard by Sullivan, J.
Philip J. Murphy, for the plaintiff.
Archibald M. Hillman, City Solicitor, (Richard W. Mirick, Assistant City Solicitor, with him,) for the defendant.
QUA, C.J. The plaintiff, describing himself as "Director of Industrial Arts in the public school system of the City of Worcester," seeks a declaratory decree to the effect that he can be demoted from his position only after notice, charges, and a hearing in the manner set forth in G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 71, Section 42A, inserted by St. 1945, c. 330. See School Committee of Cambridge v. Superintendent of Schools of Cambridge, 320 Mass. 516, 517-518. He appeals from a decree denying that he has rights under that section.
The material parts of c. 71, Section 42A, provide that "No principal or supervisor who has served in that position for over three years shall . . . be demoted . . ." except as provided therein. The plaintiff contends that, although designated as a director, he was in truth a principal or a supervisor or both. We do not deal with this question, since in our opinion the plaintiff has failed to meet the other requirement of the section that he shall have "served in that position for over three years."
whom the superintendent of schools had sent a circular letter, dated May 29, 1950, reminding them of the need of their services "the last week in August to assist in completing plans for the reopening of schools on September 6," and stating that the superintendent expected "to find . . . [him] ready for work on and after Tuesday, August 29." Notwithstanding the failure of the committee to reelect the plaintiff, he reported for work on August 29 as director of industrial arts "and served in that position through September 8, 1950," when the committee voted to deny him election on tenure. Subsequent votes are not important, except that the plaintiff's request for a hearing was ultimately denied.
statute. But at that point his right to serve ended. He was never reelected by the committee. Instead, he "was called in and questioned by the committee." The superintendent had no authority to direct him to continue his work after his term of employment had expired. Authority to employ him was vested solely in the school committee. G. L. (Ter. Ed.) c. 71, Sections 37, 38. Leonard v. School Committee of Springfield, 241 Mass. 325. Decatur v. Auditor of Peabody, 251 Mass. 82, 88-89. Hayes v. Brockton, 313 Mass. 641, 644. School Committee of Cambridge v. Superintendent of Schools of Cambridge, 320 Mass. 516, 519. And that authority could not be delegated. O'Brien v. Pittsfield, 316 Mass. 283, 285-286. It follows that, although the plaintiff may have served for three years, he did not serve "for over three years" as was required by Section 42A as a condition precedent to the rights which he now claims.
The final decree is to be modified in respect to the reasons stated therein so that the decretal part thereof shall read, ". . . it is ordered, adjudged, and decreed that the plaintiff has no right to a hearing in accordance with the provisions of General Laws (Ter. Ed.) c. 71, Section 42A, inserted by St. 1945, c. 330, for the reason that the plaintiff has not served in the position of principal or supervisor for over three years, as required by that section." As so modified the decree is affirmed.

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