Opinion ID: 1220147
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: the suspension

Text: In our first Rust opinion, we instructed the School District to impose a penalty consistent with our decision. Rust, supra . In response, the School District imposed a suspension of all pay and benefits for that period of time during which Rust exercised his legal right to appeal the original decision of dismissal. Rust's right to appeal is statutory. NRS 391.3194(4). The School District may not emasculate that right and penalize Rust for doing what he was lawfully entitled to do. Watson v. Housing Authority, 97 Nev. 240, 627 P.2d 405 (1981). The right to a judicial review is a substantial right. It is not a mere nominal or illusory right. I would not approve a result whereby a School District effectually penalizes an appellant for prevailing upon an appeal. Nor would I hesitate to step in when the decision of a School District is arbitrary, oppressive and an abuse of discretion. State ex rel. Johns v. Gragson, 89 Nev. 478, 515 P.2d 65 (1973). The imposition of the five year suspension of Rust's pay and benefits by the School District was both arbitrary and capricious, and an abuse of discretion. The only wrong Rust committed, after twenty years of faithful and dedicated service to the School District and to those whom he served, was to visit his son at the conclusion of his son's missionary assignment.