Opinion ID: 403610
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Appellee's Examination and Leave of Absence.

Text: 9 From September, 1964 to March, 1977, the appellee Dusanek was a tenured teacher at Schurz High School in Chicago. On March 2, 1977, Dusanek complained to the principal, Dr. James Maloney, about a student in his class. Dusanek told Dr. Maloney that a new girl in his class was there to disrupt his class and turn the other students against him. He claimed to know her purpose in his class because she had been involved in this same behavior in one of his classes sometime between 1967 and 1969. At that time, according to Dusanek, she had been accompanied by a heavy-set woman in bib overalls about six feet six inches tall. Dr. Maloney asked Dusanek to put his observations in a memorandum, which Dusanek subsequently did. Dr. Maloney also testified that he noted in the meeting that Dusanek was staring over his shoulder and appeared uneasy and apprehensive. 10 Dr. Maloney then examined the school records of the student about whom Dusanek had complained, from which he determined that she was born in 1960 and appeared to be about sixteen or seventeen years old. He also talked to two teachers about Dusanek. The information they provided about Dusanek tended to support Dr. Maloney's initial impression of Dusanek's psychological condition. As a result of his investigation, Dr. Maloney wrote the Assistant Superintendent of the Personnel Department requesting that the General Superintendent schedule a health examination for Dusanek. 11 Thereafter Principe, the Director of the Board's Bureau of Teacher Personnel, received Dr. Maloney's letter requesting an examination of Dusanek. After consulting with Dr. Maloney, he directed his secretary to prepare a form letter dated March 14, 1977, to be signed by Superintendent Hannon, directing Dusanek to report to the Board's offices on March 28, 1977, for an examination. The letter was subsequently signed by the Superintendent and sent to Dusanek. 12 The appellant, Dr. John O'Donnell, conducts psychiatric examinations for the Board. Prior to Dusanek's examination, he contacted Dr. Maloney who informed him of his conversation with Dusanek and the results of his investigation. On March 28, 1977, Dr. O'Donnell examined Dusanek and concluded that Dusanek was not in satisfactory psychological condition to continue his teaching duties. Dusanek was informed of his failure to meet the medical standard for teaching in a form letter dated March 29, 1977. It was this form letter which directed Dusanek to execute the enclosed request for a leave of absence for illness within ten days from the date of the letter, or it would be recommended that his services be terminated in accordance with the procedures of the state statute governing removal of tenured teachers. On April 5, 1977, Dusanek executed the request for a leave of absence due to illness. Dating from March 29, 1977, Dusanek was placed on a leave of absence. 13 At Dusanek's request, Dr. O'Donnell gave him a second examination in July, 1977. Dr. O'Donnell found that Dusanek was not in condition to return to his position, and concluded that Dusanek should continue in therapy with his own psychiatrist who had been treating Dusanek for several years. In a letter dated August 19, 1977, Dusanek was again informed that he did not meet the medical standard for teaching. The letter also requested that Dusanek execute the enclosed request for a leave of absence, which Dusanek did. On October 27, 1977, Dusanek filed this suit claiming the Board and its employees had deprived him of a property interest in his employment without due process. 14