Opinion ID: 1864926
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Circuit court properly awarded Eide the disputed teaching position for the upcoming school year.

Text: By affirming the Department's decision, Eide was entitled to teach the course for the 1992-93 school year. Unfortunately, the trial court's opinion was not released until May 14, 1993, thereby making it impossible for Eide to teach Chapter 1 Math during 1992-93. Anticipating this delay, rather than permitting Eide to teach the course, District had previously obtained a stay from the circuit court. Thus, Eide was prevented from teaching Chapter 1 Mathematics or receiving damages until the circuit court affirmed the Department. When affirmed, District requested and received a conditional stay pending appeal before this Court. Hence, Eide will not teach during the 1993-94 term and, depending on the date of the release of this decision, may not get to teach in 1994-95 either unless the District's dogged attitude lessens to permit this admittedly qualified instructor to teach the course during the appellate process. Nevertheless, the intent of the Department's order was to permit Eide to teach the class, for which she was qualified and unjustly denied, as soon as possible. Recognizing this intention, the circuit court ordered District to permit Eide to teach Chapter 1 Mathematics in the following school year, i.e. 1993-94. This does not constitute a modification and does not violate the precedent of Div. of Human Rights v. Miller, 349 N.W.2d 42 (S.D.1984) (if a circuit court modifies or reverses an agency's decision, it must enter Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law); rather, it is a judgment completely in sync with the Department's ruling and necessary due to the stay requested and received by District. The same holds true now: Eide is to teach Chapter 1 Mathematics in the school year following the release of this decision. See White Man v. Gunnick, 473 N.W.2d 148 (S.D.1991) (damages continue to accrue during appellate process). In Jager v. Ramona Bd. of Educ., 444 N.W.2d 21 (S.D.1989), we affirmed the reinstatement of a tenured teacher as opposed to awarding damages. In both Jager and Fries, supra, a teacher was denied a teaching position where the school board failed to properly follow its own policies. Had these school boards done so, the teacher would have been properly employed. Such is the situation here. Although these cites are not directly on point, the logic is sound and compatible with this case. Finally, Eide has requested an award of attorney fees. An itemized statement, in the form of an affidavit, to support an award of $2,320.08 was filed at the appellate level. SDCL 15-17-38 lists those instances whereby fees can be awarded. An award of attorneys fees in this case cannot be substantiated under SDCL 15-17-38. She sets forth no authorities by way of cases or statutes to support her request. Therefore, we decline to award attorneys fees. O'Connor v. King, 479 N.W.2d 162 (S.D.1991); Tri-State Auto Auction v. Ostroot, 76 S.D. 356, 78 N.W.2d 468 (1956). Affirmed. MILLER, C.J., and WUEST, SABERS and AMUNDSON, JJ., concur.