Court Opinion

ID: 9598736
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-22 01:11:20.259024+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T14:56:53.979423
License: Public Domain

Moore, Justice,
dissenting:
I respectfully dissent. The majority holds the phrase “in the usual manner” requires the School District to issue Johnson a contract with the same terms as the previous year and employ him as an assistant principal. I do not agree.
Legislative words are to be given their plain and ordinary *345meaning. Smith v. Eagle Constr. Co., 282 S.C. 140, 318 S.E. (2d) 8 (1984). “Manner” is defined as “[a] way, mode, method of doing anything, or mode of proceeding in any case or situation.” BLACK’S LAW DICTIONARY at 868. (6th Ed. 1990). I would find the trial court erred in interpreting this phrase to mean Johnson is to be reemployed under the same contract terms as the previous year. Further, under the majority’s interpretation, the Act is expanded to protect positions other than teaching which we have previously held are not protected by the Act. Snipes v. McAndrew, 280 S.C. 320, 313 S.E. (2d) 294 (1984); see also Lexington County School Dist. One v. Bost, 282 S.C. 32, 316 S.E. (2d) 677 (1984). I would reverse.
Chandler, J., concurs.