Opinion ID: 2006874
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Confidentiality Issue.

Text: During Smith's cross-examination of the superintendent, he was asked about the qualifications of other teachers who were not involved in the hearing and who were not proposed to be terminated. Counsel for the district objected to this questioning as violative of the confidentiality provisions of Iowa Code section 68A.7(11). The board sustained the objection, and thereupon, Smith's attorney informed it that she was proceeding with the balance of the hearing under protest, because: they needed information about other teachers in order to assess the superintendent's opinion concerning their qualifications in relation to Smith's. She makes the same argument on appeal, in effect that it was necessary for the board to have that information before it in order to make a decision based upon a preponderance of the evidence. While Iowa Code section 68A.7(11) clothes the personal information in confidential personnel records of ... school district with confidentiality, it is also clear they may be reached by a court order, section 68A.7; Brown v. Johnston, 328 N.W.2d 510, 512 (Iowa 1983) or by an administrative subpoena, Iowa Civil Rights Commission v. City of Des Moines, 313 N.W.2d 491, 495 (Iowa 1981). See also Head v. Colloton, 331 N.W.2d 870, 876 (Iowa 1983). Here, the superintendent acknowledged that he had received a subpoena. Although it is not clear, we assume the subpoena was issued under section 279.16, which provides that [t]he board shall cause subpoenas to be issued for such witnesses and the production of such books and papers as either the board or the teacher may designate. The subpoenas shall be signed by the presiding officer of the board. We do not address Smith's argument that she was entitled to access to these confidential files through use of the subpoena, because she failed to pursue the means of enforcing the subpoena provided by statute: In case a witness is duly subpoenaed and refuses to attend, or in case a witness appears and refuses to testify or to produce required books or papers, the board shall, in writing, report such refusal to the district court of the county in which the administrative office of the school district is located, and the court shall proceed with the person or witness as though the refusal had occurred in a proceeding legally pending before the court. Iowa Code § 279.16. No application was made by Smith to require the board to obtain district court intervention to force compliance with the subpoena. Under these circumstances, she has waived her right to insist on compliance with it. We also note in this regard that the parties stipulated at the outset of the board hearing that any documentation and lists of persons to be exchanged between the parties as contemplated by Section 279.15, Code of Iowa, has been so exchanged.... The sufficiency of the evidence supporting the board's ruling is not affected by the unavailability of the records under these circumstances. The district court erred in concluding the board's action was unsupported by a preponderance of the competent evidence. We reverse and remand to the board for entry of its order terminating the contract of employment. See § 279.18. REVERSED AND REMANDED.