Court Opinion

ID: 9687095
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-24 16:15:58.652994+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:18:24.224342
License: Public Domain

SABERS, Justice
(concurring in part & dissenting in part).
I concur in Ust, # 17982, Jensen, # 17984, and Hoyer, # 17985, because the board’s decisions were clearly not illegal or erroneous, arbitrary, capricious, or an abuse of discretion. Maasjo, 489 N.W.2d at 621; Kellogg, 479 N.W.2d at 149; Shumaker, 322 N.W.2d at 872; Dale v. Bd. of Educ., 316 N.W.2d 108, 113-14 (S.D.1982); Moran, 281 N.W.2d at 599.
I dissent in Bruner, # 17983, because the board’s decision was clearly not illegal or erroneous, arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion as determined by the majority. Id. In my view, it is the majority's decision that is “erroneous, arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion.” This is clear from a reading of the majority opinion.
The basis of the majority’s reversal appears to be that “the board’s decision on Bruners’ petition fails to reflect any consideration whatsoever” of “Matt’s problems” and “special needs.” This is surprising in view of the fact that the majority had just announced that “[sjince transferring to Howard, however, it has been learned that Matt does not have a learning disability!!]” (Emphasis added).
The majority opinion also states “[m]ore-over, as in Maasjo, the circuit court made clear that it was only taking evidence concerning the legality of the board’s decision and that it did not intend to substitute itself for the board.” Would an objective reader have to say that the majority is giving lip service to Maasjo (“scope of review is limited to determining the legality of the school board’s decision[,]” Maasjo, 489 N.W.2d at 621 (citation omitted)), while overruling Dale ? (“The trial de novo required by SDCL 13-46-6 permits an independent inquiry into the facts, but only for the purpose of passing on the legality of the board’s decision. It does not mean that the court may substitute its judgment for that of the board [.] ” Dale, 316 N.W.2d at 111 (emphasis added).) All this, without even saying so.
There is sufficient evidence to support the board’s decision and we should say so. That is what the circuit court did and, in this instance, we should follow suit. (“In determining whether the school board’s decision was arbitrary, capricious or an abuse of discretion, the circuit court must ascertain whether there is substantial evidence to support the school board’s decision.... We must determine whether Board was clearly erroneous by examining the evidence supporting its decision.” Maasjo, 489 N.W.2d at 621 (emphasis omitted) (citation omitted).)
Finally, if the majority is right that “the board’s decision ... fail[ed] to reflect any consideration whatsoever of this important factor[, special needs,] [which] calls into question its finding that there is no educational hardship in denial of the boundary change[,]” then we should reverse and remand for the school board to consider the factor or factors claimed to have been overlooked. SDCL 1-26-36 provides in part:
The court shall give great weight to the findings made and inferences drawn by an agency on questions of fact. The court may affirm the decision of the agency or remand the case for further proceedings. The court may reverse or modify the decision if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the administrative findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are:
(1) In violation of constitutional or statutory provisions;
(2) In excess of the statutory authority of the agency;
(3) Made upon unlawful procedure;
(4) Affected by other error of law;
(5) Clearly erroneous in light of the entire evidence in the record; or
(6) Arbitrary or capricious or characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.
*586(Emphasis added). Obviously, we should not sua sponte grant the boundary change because, if we do, we are really substituting ourselves for the board. See Dale, 316 N.W.2d at 111.
WUEST, J., joins this special writing.