Court Opinion

ID: 9793048
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-31 02:41:16.334731+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T08:03:09.326167
License: Public Domain

SUTIN, Judge (dissenting). I respectfully dissent. This dissent is based upon my sp'ecial concurring opinions in McAlister v. New Mexico State Board of Education, 82 N.M. 731, 487 P.2d 159, filed June 11, 1971, and Fort Sumner Municipal School Board v. Parsons, 82 N.M. 610, 485 P.2d 366, filed May 21, 1971. Plere, the State Board of Education examined the transcript of the record before the Local Board and found: ' ■' ■ Hi >{í í|í í¡í íjí 2. That the record does not disclose a substantial departure from the procedures and regulations prescribed by the New Mexico State Board of Education which is prejudicial to the appellant and that there is evidence in the record to substantiate the findings of the Bloomfield Board of Education that good cause exists for discharging Charles M. Morgan. The State Board of Education concluded that the decision of the Local Board should be affirmed. This is compliance with the powers vested in the State Board of Education in § 77-8-17(D) and (E), N.M.S.A; 1953 (Repl.Vol. 11, pt. 1). It is now obvious that when we look behind the powers vested in the State Board of Education, we impair the efficiency of school administration. Whether local boards .should or should not be seriously handicapped in its decisions is the responsibility of the State Board, not the court’s. When we grasp the power of review beyond that granted by statute, we become advocates, not judges. Section 77-2-2(T), N.M.S.A.1953 (Repl. Vol. 11, pt. 1; Supp.) provides that one of the duties to be performed by the State Board is: T. review decisions made by the governing board or .officials of any organization or association regulating any public school activity, and any decision of the state board shall be final in.respect thereto; * * [Emphasis added.] The ■ legislature has spoken. It means what it says. In order to avoid judicial “Legisputation,” we should recognize this duty granted the State Board. Cohen, Judicial “Legisputation” and the Dimensions of Legislative Meaning, 36 Ind.L.J. 414 (1961). “Legisputation” is a substitute for “judicial law-making” or “judicial legislation.” If we follow accepted standards, we curb the excesses of judicial power. The majority feeling otherwise,. I respectfully dissent.