ADVERSE EMPLOYMENT ACTIONS AND PUBLIC SCHOOL ...

verbatim for a deposition and review the case on the merits presented therein. Cooper was not
allowed to submit any new evidence, to which he objected to citing the limiting nature of this
type of review. The chancellor proceeded to review the case as he stated and determined in
January 1987 that the evidence was in favor of the board and dismissed Cooper’s suit. Cooper
appealed.
Issues: Was the procedure conducted by the Court Chancellor valid and in Accordance
with the Teacher Tenure Act (T.C.A. §§ 49-5-501, et seq.)?
Holding: The court held that the manner of review conducted by the Chancellor was
invalid and in violation of the Teacher Tenure Act.
Reasoning: The Teacher Tenure Act (T.C.A. §§ 49-5-501, et seq.) explicitly indicates
that a hearing must be conducted de novo with numerous stipulations such as the introduction to
new evidence. Because the Chancellor assumed the role of an appellate review rather than a
judicial review, Cooper was denied an adequate hearing in accordance with the Teacher Tenure
Act (T.C.A. §§ 49-5-501, et seq.).
Disposition: The court affirmed in part and vacated and remanded in part for a new
hearing on merits.
Citation: Mohn v. Independent School District, 416 N.W.2d 494 (1987 Minn. App.).
Key Facts: In an effort to promote fiscal stability, the Minnesota legislature created the
Interdistrict Cooperation Act (ICA) under Minn. Stat. § 122.541. ICA provided school districts
with the ability to consolidate together to stabilize budgets and broaden tax bases. In 1986, the
Eveleth, Minnesota School District and the Independent School District No. 699 of Gilbert,
Minnesota did just that. Eveleth discontinued offering Grades 7, 8, and 9 while Gilbert
discontinued Grades 10, 11, and 12. In so doing, Eveleth assumed responsibility for operating the
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