Opinion ID: 1619299
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Date of Bailey's Dismissal

Text: In order to examine the adequacy of the pre- and post-dismissal procedures provided specifically to Bailey, we must first determine his date of dismissal. Defendants contend in their reply brief to this Court that Bailey's termination was not complete . . . until [Bailey] voluntarily dismissed his appeal of the hearing officer's decision before the Blount County Board of Education. That is, they assert that Bailey was not actually dismissed until after the Full Hearing. We reject this contention. Hord's November 30 letter to Bailey states unambiguously, [y]ou [Bailey] are dismissed from employment with Blount County Schools as of this date, for improper conduct. Also, after the Full Hearing, the Personnel Hearing Authority found that, [o]n November 30, 2006, Director of Schools Alvin Hord terminated Mr. Bailey's employment for improper conduct. The record reflects no actions by Defendants to contradict, correct, or otherwise dispute this finding. Indeed, during the Full Hearing, Defendants' lawyer told the Personnel Hearing Authority that Bailey was terminated on November 30th. And, in their motion for summary judgment, Defendants assert that the hearing officer's decision  sustained the termination of Mr. Bailey's employment by Alvin Hord. (Emphasis added). Defendants will not now be heard to argue otherwise. Accordingly, we will analyze the issues before us on the basis that Bailey was dismissed on November 30, 2006, prior to the Full Hearing.