Opinion ID: 2576387
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: the board acted in conformity with its policies

Text: ¶ 8 The sole basis for the Plaintiffs' argument that the Board acted arbitrarily or capriciously in deciding to close the two schools is that the Board acted without regard to Policy FLA. However, since the trial court found that the Board did consider Policy FLA, we would have to determine that the trial court's finding on that point was clearly erroneous before we could conclude that the Board acted arbitrarily and capriciously. See Utah R. Civ. P. 52(a) (Findings of fact. . . shall not be set aside unless clearly erroneous.); 438 Main St. v. Easy Heat, Inc., 2004 UT 72, ¶ 76, 99 P.3d 801 (evaluating a challenge to the trial court's factual findings under a clearly erroneous standard). ¶ 9 The trial court's factual findings will not be considered clearly erroneous unless they are not adequately supported by the record, resolving all disputes in the evidence in a light most favorable to the trial court's determination. State v. Pena, 869 P.2d 932, 936 (Utah 1994); see also 438 Main St., 2004 UT 72 at ¶ 75, 99 P.3d 801 (holding that we will not undertake an independent assessment of the evidence presented during the course of trial and reach our own separate findings, but will instead overturn the trial court's findings only if they are against the clear weight of the evidence). ¶ 10 It is the Plaintiffs' responsibility to marshal the evidence to demonstrate that the factual findings made by the trial court were erroneous. See Utah R.App. P. 24(a)(9). Specifically, our marshaling rule requires plaintiffs to marshal all the evidence in favor of the facts as found by the trial court and then demonstrate that even viewing the evidence in a light most favorable to the court below, the evidence is insufficient to support the findings of fact. Chen v. Stewart, 2004 UT 82, ¶ 76, 100 P.3d 1177 (internal quotation omitted). We find that the Plaintiffs have failed to present sufficient evidence to overturn the factual finding made below. Because we find that the Plaintiffs failed to meet their burden, we accept the trial court's factual determination that the Board did consider Policy FLA in reaching its decision to close the two elementary schools. We repeat the facts in the record to explain our conclusion. ¶ 11 The trial court found that the Board members knew about the existence of Policy FLA, though with some degree of difference regarding the [policy's] binding effect, and agreed that no policy should be ignored. It also found that the members conceded that they did not review [the] FLA [policy] at the time the closure decision was made, and that no discussion involved any specific acknowledgment of the criteria contained within the policy. The Plaintiffs contend that this concession equates to an admission that the Board acted without regard to its own policies, and therefore acted arbitrarily and capriciously. ¶ 12 The trial court disagreed, finding instead that the Board meeting minutes, the documents drafted and circulated to the Board pertaining to the closure decision, and the instructions to subcommittees charged with assisting in the closure evaluation are replete with discussion of the factors listed in the FLA document, and demonstrate the Board's compliance with its closure policies. Further, Superintendent Robles testified that she knew of the policy and that she specifically incorporated it into the guidelines the Board used in deciding whether and which schools to close. She did not cite the FLA document as the source of the policy consideration because she felt that the factors were so obvious and basic that doing so was unnecessary. The Board members also testified that the six factors in the FLA document were important, driving concerns in the decision-making process. The trial court found the evidence to be clear that the basic factors contained in the FLA document were thoroughly discussed when the Board made the closure decision. ¶ 13 In addition, it is important to note that the language of the factors themselves portrays the discretionary nature of Board decisions. The factors are necessarily competing considerations, as there may be instances in which a newer facility that is more efficient and educationally functional may also be located slightly further away than an older, less functional school. The FLA document does not dictate a formula for deciding between schools that satisfy some but not all of the requirements. The policy itself requires the Board to exercise discretion in making these decisions. ¶ 14 For example, a preference for a newer but more distant school over a closer, older one is simply a matter of discretion itself, with no obvious answer under the FLA guidelines. Board members are to consider those factors in making their decisions; the members are not instructed as to how much weight each factor should receive. Rather, they were elected by their constituents to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of such alternatives. ¶ 15 Here, the trial court found that the Board did exactly that. Though the Board members did not have the specific FLA document in front of them during their deliberations, they did have documents that incorporated, without reference, the very factors outlined in the FLA document. Whether the Board placed increased emphasis on some of the factors over others or included additional factors in their analysis is the prerogative of the Board and is irrelevant to the determination of whether the Board acted without regard to the FLA policy. The record demonstrates that the Board considered each factor the FLA policy set forth. We hold that the trial court did not err in finding that the Board complied with its policies in making the closure decision. ¶ 16 We now address whether the trial court afforded proper deference to the Board when it sustained its decision to close the two elementary schools. We hold that it did.