Opinion ID: 1120053
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: petersen's reassignment

Text: Petitioners next contend Petersen's reassignment violates his First Amendment rights of free speech and academic freedom. They argue the reassignment cannot stand if it was employed to moot his grievance, retaliate for his grievance, or to infringe on the exercise of his right to academic freedom. First, as indicated previously, Petersen has no right to teach Global Studies. The contention a school administration is required to perpetuate a program of team-teaching is not well taken. The allegation Petersen was reassigned as punishment for filing a grievance merits closer examination, however. [4] The Cascade High School principal said the reassignment was not related to the [student preference] procedures recommended by Mr. Treckeme. Petersen claims the principal would not explain the reassignment. Petersen's affidavit states: There were other certified staff that could have been assigned to that science lab without any problem, and also a teacher's aid was available to cover the science lab assignment. On checking the schedule I found at least two other periods where certified staff were not assigned to cover periods in the science lab. During this period only two or three students at most would come into the learning center... I also checked with the science department supervisor ... and was informed that the change in assignment which I requested could have been made with no disruption of any program. On the other hand, Petersen, a forestry teacher, does not perform a teaching function at the 1-period lab so the assignment is not incompatible with his educational background. Further, since each teacher ordinarily receives a 1-period nonacademic assignment, it is not unreasonable for the administration to require Petersen to supervise students in the laboratory. [2] In ruling on a motion for summary judgment, the court must consider the material evidence and all reasonable inferences therefrom in favor of the nonmoving party. If reasonable persons might reach different conclusions the motion should be denied. Novenson v. Spokane Culvert & Fabricating Co., 91 Wn.2d 550, 552, 588 P.2d 1174 (1979); Balise v. Underwood, 62 Wn.2d 195, 199, 381 P.2d 966 (1963). We do not believe a person would conclude the reassignment resulted from the filing of the grievance. Summary judgment on this issue was proper.