Opinion ID: 2048465
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Whether Policy GCK was binding and controlling.

Text: Schnabel v. Alcester School Dist., 295 N.W.2d 340 (S.D.1980) provides that policies of a school district have the force and effect of law and are binding upon the school district. However, as other courts have recognized, this principle applies only to rules which evince an intent of the agency to establish mandatory rules which must be followed by the agency. Golembiowski v. Madison Heights Civil Service Commission, 128 Mich.App. 682, 687, 341 N.W.2d 793, 796 (1983). Policy GCK states that The standard load for all secondary teachers, both senior high school and junior high school, shall be five (5) periods of classroom instruction[.] Kechely argues that the word shall is mandatory, and creates a binding rule upon the District. However, when read in its entirety, the policy indicates otherwise. Policy GCK states that the five-period load is the standard load, not the maximum load. Further, there is no indication that teachers carrying in excess of a five-period load should receive additional compensation or other remedy. This policy appears to be a guideline which permits deviation. Such deviation is recognized by other language in Policy GCK, which provides: [T]he Administration and the Board recognize the need for cooperation and are willing to cooperate in the development of new and better educational methods and environments which may involve departures from the traditional structure of the school, including its methods and classroom sizes which may be contrary to existing policies governing instructional load. Therefore, the policy is neither binding nor controlling in this instance. Kechely also argues that a past practice of additional compensation for a six-period schedule creates an inference that the District violated a binding policy. Kechely presented evidence of an instance in 1975 where an elementary teacher was paid an additional twenty percent for a six-period schedule. That situation differed in that the teacher taught both math and science and had to individually prepare for six classes instead of three. Further, there is no indication what policies or agreements were in effect in 1975. Policy GCK did not come into effect until 1981. Thus, we cannot say the District violated a binding policy in deviating from Policy GCK. We reverse. WUEST, C.J., and MORGAN and MILLER, JJ., concur. HENDERSON, J., concurs with a writing.