Court Opinion

ID: 9517800
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-07 00:33:11.656859+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:16:04.175941
License: Public Domain

SULLIVAN, Judge,
dissenting.
The “decision” of July 13, 1987, was contingent. The “termination” was not to become effective until August 1 because a hearing was contemplated before that date, i.e., on July 27. The notice sent to Keith quite clearly stated that “the issue of his termination would be considered” on July *55827. Record at 25. As of that date, July 13, it therefore is clear that the termination had not been effected and that no decision had been made. The termination would be self-executing on August 1 if Keith waived his right to a hearing. But at least as of July 13, no decision had been made.1
That the hearing was not conducted on July 27 is attributable to Keith himself. Furthermore, the failure to conduct the hearing as rescheduled for August 19 was again attributable to Keith, who on that date filed a Motion to Dismiss the charges against him or, in the alternative, to disqualify the Board. Such action constituted a waiver of the right to a hearing until such time as he might seek a new hearing date or seek a writ of mandate to compel a new hearing date. In any event his “suspension” (not termination) continued on a day-to-day basis and presumably remains in effect at this time. In my view he is not entitled to back pay—certainly not for the period between August 1 and August 19, and I believe not thereafter.
Here, there has never been an administrative decision with respect to the merits of the charges, nor has Keith been denied a hearing. He has not sought from the Board reinstatement with back pay. Accordingly, the LaPorte Circuit Court correctly dismissed the purported “appeal” as premature or as being sought prior to the administrative process running its course.
Under I.C. 36-8-3-4 (Burns Code Ed. Repl.1989) the indefinite suspension here could properly exceed ten days because the Board offered Keith an opportunity for a hearing, not once but twice. That the Board has not made a determination upon the merits of the charges precludes review by the LaPorte Circuit Court and it does not appear that Keith sought any such decision on the merits.
I would affirm the dismissal.

. If, as contended by Keith, the termination decision was made July 13, the statute required Keith’s appeal within thirty days thereafter. Keith’s purported appeal was not filed until September 18, 1987. I do not premise my dissent upon this arguable failure to comply with the statutory requirement.