Opinion ID: 1334245
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: jurisdiction of budget & control board

Text: Upon her reinstatement, Authority was required to calculate Belton's full back pay as ordered by the Grievance Committee. In doing so, Authority deducted sick and annual leave which it claimed Belton would have taken due to her pregnancy and maternity leave. When Belton appealed Authority's determination, the B & C Board determined that it lacked jurisdiction to hear the appeal. Thereafter, Judge Stuckey issued an Order holding that B & C Board did have jurisdiction to hear the appeal, from which Order no appeal was taken. Judge Kinard, however, subsequently dismissed Belton's appeal, holding that the B & C Board did not have jurisdiction. When B & C Board failed to appeal Judge Stuckey's Order, it became the law of the case. Edwards v. Timmons, 297 S.C. 314, 377 S.E.2d 97 (1988). Moreover, as the question was purely a legal one, Judge Kinard was without authority to review Judge Stuckey's findings. Enoree Baptist Church v. Fletcher, 287 S.C. 602, 340 S.E.2d 546 (1986). We hold that Belton's sick and annual leave comprise an element of her reinstatement award, such that B & C Board had authority to hear her appeal. See, e.g., S.C.Code Ann. § 41-10-10 (Supp.1992) (definition of wages includes vacation, holiday and sick leave payments due). Accordingly, we remand to B & C Board with instructions that Belton be afforded an opportunity to present evidence regarding the sick leave and maternity leave setoff against her reinstatement pay.