Opinion ID: 1959540
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: By Statute

Text: As stated, a director of schools has the statutory power to transfer teachers within the loyal system. Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-5-510 (2002). When so made, it need not necessarily be preceded . . . by formal written notice and la hearing, so long as it is made in good faith, in accordance with the criterion set forth in the statuteefficient operation of the school system. McKenna v. Sumner County Bd. of Educ., 574 S.W.2d 527, 534 (Tenn. 1978); see also State ex rel. Pemberton v. Wilson, 481 S.W.2d 760, 770 (Tenn.1972). If a transfer is not made in good faith and is the product of arbitrary, capricious, or improper conduct, a tenured teacher is 'entitled to present a direct legal challenge in the courts. McKenna, 574 S.W.2d at 534; Mitchell v. Garrett, 510 S.W.2d 894, 898 (Tenn.1974). Judicial review is limited to determining whether or not a transfer was made in accordance with the statutory requirements and must be conducted in light of the broad discretion which the statutes clearly give. McKenna, 574 S.W.2d at 534 (referencing Tenn.Code Ann. § 49-1411 [10] ). A shift of a tenured teacher with athletic coaching duties to a full-time teaching position, one type of work to another, has typically been classified as a transfer and not a dismissal or suspension. White, 614 S.W.2d at 334. In White , a tenured teacher who had been discharged as head basketball coach filed suit, contending that he had been demoted. This Court ruled that [r]elieving a teacher-coach of his coaching duties only . . . is equivalent to a `transfer within the system,' as authorized by statute, but denied relief. Id. Similarly, the holding in Warren v. Polk County Board of Education, 613 S.W.2d 222 (Tenn.1981) is instructive as to the historical meaning of transfer. A tenured teacher, although retained in his teaching capacity, was relieved of his duties as athletic director and coach and, in consequence, did not receive the coaching supplements that accompanied those positions. While recognizing Warren's right to directly challenge his transfer under the applicable statute, this Court held as follows: The position of athletic director and coach is an assignment that falls within the same category as principal and other administrative and supervisory assignments. Tenure cannot be acquired in that status, and there is no requirement of formal charges and a hearing prior to relieving a tenured teacher of that assignment. Id. at 225 (emphasis added). In its concluding paragraph, this Court ruled that Warren had the burden of proof, but failed to establish by a preponderance of the evidence that the action of . . . relieving him of the duties of athletic director and coach was arbitrary, capricious, or improperly motivated. Id. at 226. Subject to these constraints, Taylor, as coach, was entitled to present a direct challenge under statute questioning the propriety of his transfer from a teacher with coaching responsibilities to a full-time teaching position. [11] The determinative question is whether the transfer could be classified as for the efficient operation of the school system. There is a presumption of good faith associated with teacher transfers. McKenna, 574 S.W.2d at 530. Taylor, in order to qualify for relief beyond those years not in dispute, has the same burden Warren hadto prove the transfer was arbitrary and capricious. Id. at 534.