Cathy Ritzert, Petitioner v. Board of Education of the Academy School District No. 20, Respondent

Summary

The court held that the reasonableness of a school district's order in a teacher-insubordination proceeding is an ultimate finding of fact for the school board, not a binding finding by the hearing officer. However, the board's determination must be fully warranted by the hearing officer's evidentiary findings and must account for all relevant circumstances. Because the board ignored significant findings showing that the order was pretextual and unreasonable under the circumstances, the court reversed and remanded for Ritzert's reinstatement.