Monce v. Marshall Cnty. Bd. of Educ.
Monce v. Marshall Cnty. Bd. of Educ.
Opinion of the Court
Pending before the Court is Defendants' "Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to Marshall County Board of Education and Summary Judgment as to Jackie Abernathy" (Doc. No. 38), to which Sherry Monce has responded in opposition (Doc. No. 45), and Defendants have replied (Doc. No. 51). For the reasons set forth below, the Motion will be granted in part and denied in part.
I. Factual Background
The parties have filed their own statements of undisputed facts.
*810Monce has been a teacher for more than two decades. For the last sixteen years, she has taught at Forrest School in Marshall County, Tennessee. Abernathy served as the Marshall County Director of Schools during the period relevant to this lawsuit.
In December 2012, Monce was diagnosed with breast cancer, and underwent a double mastectomy in March of 2013. That summer, she underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatment. In October 2013, Monce had a hysterectomy.
Defendants claim that Monce was not in her designated area for Fun Day activities on May 21, 2014, and was on her computer instead of supervising students. That same evening, Monce climbed on top of the press box at the Middle Tennessee Christian School to watch a Forrest School baseball game. Monce claims that she had not been instructed where she needed to be for the "Fun Day" activities and that, once she arrived at the school, she supervised students, and assisted one student with an online computer program. Monce concedes that she climbed on top of the press box while off-duty, but claims she did so because she was "suffering from a migraine," and decided to watch her son play baseball from that vantage point. (DSOF ¶ 7). Regardless, Monce received an "Oral Reprimand" (memorialized in writing on May 23, 2014) that stated both incidents were unprofessional and reflected poorly on the school. (Pf. Exh. 8).
On August 22, 2014, Monce underwent breast reconstruction surgery. After surgery, she was out of school for the next four weeks.
In late November 2014, Monce was accidentally shot in the head by her husband while the two were bird hunting. On February 4, 2015 she asked the school trainer to use an X-acto knife Monce had in her possession to cut into her scalp to see if it was infected. When the trainer refused, a student, who was sitting nearby, volunteered. Monce allowed the student to make the incision.
As a result, Monce received a "Letter of Reprimand - Unprofessional Conduct" dated February 20, 2015 from John McClaran, the school principal, that recounted the X-acto knife incident and expressed concerns that Monce had behaved unprofessionally in the past. This included leaving the school without permission for two hours on April 2, 2014, climbing on top of the press box on May 21, 2014, and allowing her 14-year old son to drive her home after the ball game, even though she was "heavily medicated." (Pf. Exh. 11).
*811On February 24, 2015, Monce met with Principal McClaran and Robby Reasonover, another administrator. This meeting resulted in a Corrective Plan for Plaintiff to follow. Among other things, the Plan expected Monce to (1) be present to instruct and supervise students; (2) not be on her computer, except at lunch or for planning purposes; (3) notify the office when she left the premises and (4) dress and act professionally.
Defendants claim that Plaintiff left her class unsupervised on April 21, 2015, during which time a student videotaped another student climbing on top of a basketball goal. Monce claims that, at the time the incident occurred, she was in the equipment room getting supplies for class. (DSOF ¶ 16). Regardless, Monce received another reprimand because she had not followed the Corrective Action Plan, and was not present and supervising students during an assigned class.
During an April 22, 2015 meeting regarding the climbing incident, Abernathy claims that she smelled alcohol on Monce and suggested she take a drug test. Monce claims she does not drink during the day, Abernathy never made any such allegations, and the accusation is not documented in any school record. (Id. ¶¶ 19, 20). Monce also claims Abernathy demanded that she take a drug test, or face a 5-day suspension. (Id. ¶ 18).
The Marshall County Board of Education has a Policy intended to maintain a drug-free workplace. It prohibits the possession or use of alcohol or narcotic drugs on any school premises of vehicle, or at school sponsored activities or functions. (Pf. Exh. 14). The Board also has a policy that requires "trained supervisors" to observe and document "reasonable suspicion" that an employee is using drugs, is in an "[a]pparent physical state of impairment of motor functions," or exhibits "[m]arked changes in personal behavior not attributed to other factors." (Id. ). Under the policy, if any of those things are observed, an "employee may be required to submit to substance screening[.]" (Id. ).
Monce submitted to a drug test after consultation with a union representative. The result showed the presence of alcohol metabolites. Monce does not deny that those were the results, but claims that the test used-Ethyl Glucuronide (EtG) testing, commonly known as the "80 hour" test, detects EtG metabolites in urine up to 3 to 4 days after alcohol consumption, and therefore "has no value in ascertaining whether an individual is actually under the influence of alcohol at the time of testing or whether an employee used alcohol while on duty." (DSOF ¶ 26). Furthermore, the drug tests also showed the presence of prescription drugs that had been prescribed to Monce.
After receipt of the results, Abernathy notified Monce, by letter dated April 30, 2015, that she was suspended without pay for the remainder of the school year "due to violation of school board policies." (Pf. Exh. 15). The letter also attached Monce's lab report and stated that before returning for the next school year, "you must have a 10-panel clean drug screen conducted no more than five days prior to the start of school, and submit a note from your physician stating you are not impaired." (Id. ).
On May 29, 2015, a lawyer for the Tennessee Education Association ("TEA") sent a letter to Abernathy on behalf of Monce stating that the suspension letter did not comply with the requirements of Tennessee's Tenure Teachers Act ("TTA"),
Abernathy added additional conditions in August 2015, specially that Monce receive a note from her physician stating that she could "supervise her kids on her medicine." (PSOF ¶ 14). Monce also claims Abernathy required that Monce bring all of her prescriptions medications to the school for inspection, a charge which Defendants dispute. (Id. ¶¶ 9-13). When Monce brought her medications to the school, McClaran took photographs of the bottles and shared them with Abernathy.
Based upon the foregoing events, Monce filed suit in this Court alleging federal statutory and constitutional claims, and a state law claim. In the controlling First Amended Complaint, Monce alleges that her suspension violated the Americans With Disabilities Act ("ADA"),
II. Standard of Review
The standards governing summary judgment have been restated on countless occasions and, from the filings that have been submitted, are obviously understood by the parties. It suffices to note: (1) summary judgment is only appropriate where there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law, Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(a) ; (2) the facts and inferences must be construed in favor of the nonmoving party, Van Gorder v. Grand Trunk W. R.R., Inc.,
III. Application of Law
A. ADA Claim
"Congress enacted the ADA 'with the noble purpose of providing a clear and comprehensive mandate for the elimination of discrimination against individuals with disabilities." Melange v. City of Ctr. Line,
ADA claims can be proved using either direct or indirect evidence. Ferrari v. Ford Motor Co.,
1. Direct Evidence
Direct evidence is evidence which, if believed, requires the conclusion that unlawful discrimination was at least a motivating factor in the challenged employment decision. Young v. UPS, --- U.S. ----,
In support of her direct evidence case, Monce writes:
The record contains direct evidence of discrimination. The Defendants knew that Monce had undergone prolonged treatments for cancer. The Defendants had before them in April 2015, when they suspended Monce, the results of Monce's first drug test. The Defendants have tried to justify that test on an unrecorded recollection by Director Abernathy over a year later that she smelled alcohol on Monce. But the test was a ten-panel drug screen. The results showed that Monce was taking valid prescription drugs. With those results in hand, the Defendants insisted not only that Monce would have to undergo another drug test in August in order to return to work, but that she also would have to provide a physician's note or letter attesting that she was able to work. This evidence, and the reasonable inferences to be drawn from it, is sufficient to constitute direct evidence of discrimination.
(Doc. No. at 15). Contrary to Monce's assertion, this is not direct evidence of disability discrimination.
"Direct evidence proves the existence of discrimination 'without requiring any inferences.' " Golden v. Mirabile Inv. Corp., No. 17-5346,
Prototypical is the university president's alleged statement in Johnson,
*814Johnson v. Kroger Co.,
Had Abernathy told Monce that she was being suspended because she had undergone cancer treatment, or was on medication because of that treatment, this would be direct evidence. That Monce underwent a drug screen and was thereafter suspended does not directly establish that the suspension was because she had cancer, or was being treated for that condition.
2. Indirect Evidence
To make out a prima facie case of ADA discrimination, a plaintiff must show that "1) she is an individual with a disability; 2) she is otherwise qualified to perform the job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation; and 3) she suffered an adverse employment action because of her disability." Barnum v. Ohio State Univ. Med. Ctr.,
Defendants argue Monce cannot establish a prima facie case because she cannot establish that she was disabled. They also argue that Monce cannot show that the reasons for the adverse employment decisions were a pretext for discrimination in violation of the ADA. Although the latter presents a much closer question, the Court is unpersuaded by either argument.
A. Disability
Because Monce's cancer was in remission at the time of her suspension, Defendants argue that she was not disabled for purposes of the ADA. In response, Monce asserts that the fact her cancer was in remission "is actually of no moment at all" because the definition of disability under the ADA is to be construed in favor of broad coverage. (Doc. No. 45 at 12). This is confirmed by the 2008 Amendments to the ADA ("the ADAAA"), which identify certain impairments that "will, in virtually all cases, result in a determination of coverage,"
Monce's argument is a bit of an overstatement. As the Third Circuit recently observed:
[C]ancer can-and generally will-be a qualifying disability under the ADA. Nevertheless, "[t]he determination of whether an impairment substantially limits a major life activity requires an individualized assessment."29 C.F.R. § 1630.2 (j)(1)(iv). Although the ADAAA makes the individualized assessment "particularly simple and straightforward" for diseases like cancer,29 C.F.R. § 1630.2 (j)(3)(ii), an individualized assessment must still take place. To undertake that individualized assessment, courts have required some evidence of the plaintiff's substantial limitation-even *815when the limitation seems self-evident in context.
Alston v. Park Pleasant, Inc.,
Monce has provided more than "some evidence" of a substantial limitation, particularly where a plaintiff need only show a limitation "to perform a major life activity as compared to most people in the general population.' " Barlia v. MWI Veterinary Supply, Inc., No. 17-1185,
In her Declaration, Monce states that, as a result of her surgeries and subsequent radiation treatments relating to cancer, she developed osteopenia and residual pain in her hip and sciatic nerve. She was prescribed Tamoxifen, a breast cancer medication, that caused her to develop scoliosis and a Vitamin D deficiency that, in turn required supplements which lead to extreme fatigue. More generally, Monce contends that the medication that she has taken in relation to her cancer treatment has limited her ability to work, socialize, perform manual tasks, lift, bend, and concentrate. (Doc. No. 47-8). These are all limitations on a major life activity under the ADA,
"The primary object in cases brought under the ADA should be whether covered entities have complied with their obligations and whether discrimination has occurred, not whether the individual meets the definition of disability."
B. Legitimate Non-Discriminatory Reason and Pretext
Defendants insist that Monce's disability had nothing to do with her suspension. They argue that Monce was suspended without pay "due to violations of Board policies":
It is a violation of Marshall County Board of Education Policy 1.804, to use alcohol in the workplace. On February 4, 2015, Plaintiff gave a student an x-acto knife to cut into her scalp and check for infection of a recent head injury ; the student used the knife to make an incision into Plaintiff's scalp. On February 10, 2015, Plaintiff received a Formal Letter of Reprimand for her actions on February 4, 2015, and on February 12, 2015, Plaintiff received a three-day suspension for her actions on February 4, 2015. On February 24, 2015, a meeting between Plaintiff and Administrators Robby Reasonover and Davy McClaran took place to discuss expectations and consequences for Plaintiff, as well as the requirement of her position; this meeting resulted in a Corrective Plan for Plaintiff to follow. On April 21, 2015, Plaintiff left her class unsupervised, and during this time, a student videoed another student climbing on the basketball goals ten feet off the ground. The next day, April 22, 2015, Jackie Abernathy smelled alcohol on the Plaintiff while at work during a meeting to discuss her actions the previous day. The use of alcohol in the workplace is a violation of Board Policy 1.804, thus, Ms. Abernathy *816suggested the Plaintiff submit to a drug test or be suspended without pay to due violation of this policy. The Plaintiff submitted to a drug test, which was positive for alcohol metabolites. Thus, Plaintiff was suspended due to a violation of board policies, and she was not allowed to return to the 2016-17 school year without a 10-panel clean drug screen.
(Doc. No. 39 at 14-15) (internal citation to record omitted).
Clearly, an employee's failure to comply with an established, non-discriminatory employment policy regarding the use of alcohol in a school environment constitutes a legitimate reason for an adverse employment action. Russell v. Lew,
An employee may establish pretext by showing that "(1) the employer's stated reason for [the adverse employment action] has no basis in fact, (2) the reason offered for [the adverse employment action] was not the actual reason..., or (3) the reason offered was insufficient to explain the employer's action." Imwalle v. Reliance Med. Prod., Inc.,
Leaving a class unattended for a certain period of time is likely a suspendible offense, and a teacher allowing a student to cut her with an X-acto knife, while probably unprecedented, most certainly should be as well. Yet twice in the paragraph quoted above, Defendants identify the only policy violated to be that of use of alcohol in the workplace. Perhaps the X-acto knife incident and being absent from the classroom when a student climbed the backboard were alcohol related, but there is no evidence of that before the court.
Instead, Defendants rely on Abernathy's assertion that Monce smelled of alcohol during the April 22, 2015 meeting, and that the "Forrest School administration" became aware of her being "highly-medicated" at a ballgame more than a year earlier. However, Monce denies that she drank alcohol on the day of the meeting and claims this was "a story Director Abernathy did not tell until more than a year later." (Doc. No. 45 at 13). She claims that Jacob Sorrells, who was then-Assistant Director of Schools and attended the April 22, 2015, is "a habitual taker of daily notes regarding all matters of significance, yet his note from that meeting mentions nothing about alcohol." (Doc. No. 45 at 15 n. 13). If Monce's assertions are true, this raises the specter that Aberntathy's stated reason for the suspension had no basis in fact.
To the extent that Monce appeared to be "highly medicated" at the ballgame and Abernathy relied upon it for the suspension, this raises the specter that the stated reason for the suspension (i.e. use of alcohol in the workplace) was not the true reason for the dismissal. After allegedly smelling alcohol, Abernathy did not simply order a blood alcohol test: she required Monce to undergo a ten-panel drug test that showed the existence not only of alcohol, but also prescription medication. A *817reasonable jury could conclude that improper alcohol use does not explain the need for a full panel drug test, nor does it explain why Abernathy insisted on (1) another ten-panel drug test in August 2015; (2) a letter from Monce's physician attesting that she was capable of performing her job; and (3) production of Monce's medicine bottles. Instead, a jury could conclude that what does explain those requests is that Abernathy viewed Monce as being disabled and as substantially impaired in her work because she took medication as a part of her treatment for cancer.
Lest there be any misunderstanding, the Court emphasizes that the question of the legitimacy of Defendants' proffered explanation and pretext presents a very close call. On the one hand, Monce exhibited behavior that, at least on one occasion, bordered on the bizarre. "Employers need to be able to use reasonable means to ascertain the cause of troubling behavior without exposing themselves to ADA claims[.]" Sullivan,
Accordingly, summary judgment will be denied on Monce's ADA claim against the Marshall County Board of Education.
B. Fourth Amendment Claims-Unreasonable Search
Defendants concede that questions of fact exist related to Monce's Fourth Amendment drug testing claim. They do, however, argue that Abernathy is entitled to qualified immunity on Monce's claim that inspection of her medication bottles violated the Fourth Amendment.
The qualified immunity inquiry involves determining (1) whether a constitutional violation occurred and (2) whether the right infringed was clearly established. McKinley v. City of Mansfield,
Here, Defendants' assume for the sake of argument that the right to be free from an unreasonable inspection was clearly established. Their sole argument is that, "[e]ven if this action is considered to be a search, the Plaintiff herself voluntarily took her medications to Principal McClaran and demanded that they be shared with Ms. Abernathy." (Doc. No. 39). They note *818that "warrantless searches are permissible if consent is freely and voluntarily given," and that "[i]t is possible to give consent by conduct." (Id. ).
The problem with Defendants' argument is two-fold. First, there is a hotly-disputed issue of fact as to whether Abernathy demanded that the medications be brought in, or whether Monce voluntarily brought them to the school for inspection. Second, Defendants have not presented proof "by clear and positive testimony" that consent was "free[ly] and voluntar[ily]" given, "uncontaminated by any duress or coercion." United States v. Moon,
C. Fourteenth Amendment Claim-Due Process
Monce asserts that she was deprived of her property right in continued employment without due process of law. In response, Defendants argue that (1) Monce's due process claim is barred because it is inadequately pled; (2) Monce was provided all of the process to which she was due; and (3) Abernathy is entitled to qualified immunity on this claim.
1. Failure to Plead Inadequacy of State Remedies
Relying on Jefferson v. Jefferson Cty. Public School Systems.,
In Jefferson, the Sixth Circuit held that a teacher who was afforded a pre-termination hearing, suspended, and allegedly forced to retire could not seek relief under
Regardless, Monce claims that she invoked her rights under the TTA by requesting a hearing through her lawyer, but *819this was ignored by Abernathy. The requirements of Parratt do not apply where "Defendants had the opportunity to provide pre-deprivation process pursuant to an established procedure[.]" Lane v. City of Pickerington,
2. Sufficiency of Process Provided
The Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment prohibits states from depriving "any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law." U.S. Const. amend. XIV, § 1. " 'In order to establish a procedural due process claim, a plaintiff must show that (1) he had a life, liberty, or property interest protected by the Due Process Clause; (2) he was deprived of this protected interest; and (3) the state did not afford him adequate procedural rights prior to depriving him of the property interest.' " Albrecht v. Treon,
In Tennessee, "[a] tenured teacher, like other public employees, possesses a constitutionally protected property interest in continued employment, and she cannot be deprived of this right without due process." Thompson v. Memphis City Sch. Bd. of Educ.,
"[I]n the pretermination stage, the employee does not have a right to, and the Constitution does not require, a neutral and impartial decisionmaker. The "right of reply" before the official responsible for the discharge is sufficient. It is at the post-deprivation stage where a neutral decisionmaker is needed to adjudicate the evidence. Where there is a system of post-termination procedures available to the employee that includes a neutral decisionmaker and/or arbitration, coupled with a pretermination "right of reply" hearing, then the employee has received all the process due under the Constitution.
Farhat v. Jopke,
Defendants contend Monce was provided due process based upon the following:
Monce received written notification of the charges against her for leaving her students unattended and failing to follow her corrective action plan. She had a meeting with Robby Reasonver, Jacob Sorrells, and Director of Schools Jackie Abernathy. Abernathy suggested Monce take a drug test, and Monce received an opportunity to discuss it with her MCA rep. When the results came back, Defendant sent Ms. Monce a notification on April 30, 2015 of the charges against her. On her behalf, an attorney requested either: 1) a more detailed explanation of the charges; or 2) a hearing. Clearly, she received an explanation of the charges and the opportunity to resolve them; she took the requested second *820drug and, as her attorney's follow up letter indicated, she believed all would be forgiven.
(Doc. No. 39 at 19). However, just as with Monce's ADA claim and the question of the legitimacy of Defendants' proffered reason for suspension, questions of fact preclude summary judgment on Monce's due process claim.
" 'The tenured public employee is entitled to oral or written notice of the charges against him, an explanation of the employer's evidence, and an opportunity to present his side of the story.' " Mitchell,
3. Individual Liability
At a minimum, Defendants assert that Abernathy is entitled to qualified immunity. According to Defendant, "a reasonable person facing the circumstance that Abernathy faced would not have believed that her conduct violate Monce's constitutional rights." (Doc. No. 39 at 20-21). After all, "Monce clearly exhibited a change in behavior that would have provided a reasonable person with suspicion for substance abuse." (Id. at 21). This may be so, but Defendants' argument misses the mark entirely. The question here is not whether Monce should have been suspended. Rather the question is whether she was afforded due process once that decision had been made.
When the defense of qualified immunity is raised, "plaintiff has the burden of showing that a right is clearly established." Everson v. Leis,
Leaving aside that the TTA has been in existence since 1952, Loudermill, decided by the United States Supreme Court in 1985, made clear that an individual with a right to continued employment under state law cannot be denied that property right without due process of law.
D. TTA Claim
Finally, Defendants request dismissal of Monce's TTA claim on three grounds. First, relying on Sullivan v. Brown,
As for the Act's language, Defendants rely on the provision in the statute that "[a] tenured teacher who is dismissed or suspended by action of the board pursuant to § 49-5-512(c)(3), or suspended by action of the director pursuant to § 49-5-412(d)(3), may petition for writ of certiorari from the chancery court of the county where the teacher is employed."
For much the same reason, Defendants' second argument fails. They assert that Monce waived her TTA claim by failing to avail herself of its available remedies. For those rights to attach, however, a teacher need only request a hearing, and it then fall upon the director of schools to get the ball rolling by naming an impartial hearing officer. Tenn. Code Ann. 49-6-512(a)(1), (2). The hearing provision aside, Monce claims Abernathy had no authority under the TTA to suspend her for more than three days, which is itself a violation of the TTA.
Third, Defendants' argue that the TTA claim against Abernathy must be dismissed because the statute provides that "[t]he director or schools or other school official shall not be held liable, personally or officially, when performing their duties in prosecuting charges against any teacher or teachers under this part."
IV. Conclusion
For the foregoing reasons, Defendants' "Motion for Partial Summary Judgment as to Marshall County Board of Education and Summary Judgment as to Jackie Abernathy" (Doc. No. 38) will be granted solely with respect to the individual capacity claims against Abernathy under the ADA and the TTA.
An appropriate order will enter.
The Court limits its citations to those facts that are disputed. Defendants' Statement of Facts and Monce's responses thereto (Doc. No. 46) are cited as "DSOF___"; Monce's Statement of Facts and Defendants' responses thereto (Doc. No. 49) are cited as "PSOF ___". Citations to the exhibits from Monce's Deposition (Doc. No. 38-1) are identified as "Pf. Exh. ___".
The parties disagree as to Defendants' knowledge of Monce's medical conditions. Defendants admit that Marshall County School administrators knew that Monce had been treated for cancer, but they generally deny that they were aware of the full scope of her treatment, or the medications that she received for that treatment. (PSOF ¶ 1).
Both this Letter of Reprimand and the Oral Reprimand of May 23, 2014 indicate that the "Forrest administration" was made aware that Monce was "heavily medicated" at the baseball game and that she allowed her fourteen year old son to drive her home. The Oral Reprimand also states that Monce was observed "acting erratically outside the outfield fence" and "laying in the grass" the day after the baseball game. (Ex. 8). Apart from agreeing that Monce was on top of the press box, and a dispute about whether Monce was "heavily medicated," these "facts" are not included in either parties' statement and are not relied upon by the Court in reaching its conclusion.
At the time of her suspension, Monce was taking hydrocodone for both ankle pain (that preceded her cancer diagnosis ), and for hip pain that resulted from taking Tamoxifen during her cancer treatment, along with other prescription medications.
"Regardless of which rebuttal method is employed, the plaintiff retains the ultimate burden of producing 'sufficient evidence from which the jury could reasonably reject [the defendants'] explanation and infer that the defendants intentionally discriminated against him.' "
Because "[i]ndividual supervisors who do not independently qualify under the statutory definition of employers may not be held personally liable in ADA cases," Sullivan v. River Valley Sch. Dist.,
In Parratt, an inmate claimed that prison administrators deprived him of due process after losing his mail. The Supreme Court held that, where the alleged due process violation is the result of a "random and unauthorized act" of a state employee, an adequate state post-deprivation remedy is all the process that is due. Id. at 541,
The Court acknowledges Defendants' reliance on TEA counsel's letter of August 21, 2015 stating that if Monce underwent a second drug test, then "all is forgiven," and Defendants' claim that Monce waived a hearing. However, Monce denies that this letter resolved the dispute between the parties. Moreover, that letter was sent months after Monce was suspended without pay. See
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Sherry MONCE v. MARSHALL COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION and Jackie Abernathy, Director of Marshall County Schools
- Cited By
- 4 cases
- Status
- Published