Opinion ID: 2144157
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Action taken prior to Reed's hearing.

Text: Reed contends that the board did not give maximum consideration to fairness and decency by acting to retain the other two teachers before it had even heard a word from Reed. Reed argues that a decision had been made to reduce the staff in the mathematics and science areas by one teacher. Because the nonrenewal proceedings for Mrs. Aberle and Mr. Tofte were discontinued three days before Mr. Reed's nonrenewal hearing was held, Reed argues that he was given the burden of persuading the board to change its plans of nonrenewing at least one person in the mathematics and science areas. That burden, he argues, deprived him of considerations of basic fairness and decency provided by the North Dakota Century Code. A complete reading of the transcript does not support Reed's contention. The president of the Edgeley School Board, Maurus Heim, testified that although Mrs. Aberle and Mr. Tofte had assurances that their contracts would not be nonrenewed, the board did have an option to reopen the hearings on both Mrs. Aberle and Mr. Tofte. It is not our function to determine the correctness factually or legally of that statement. However, it was a matter that the trial court could consider.