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Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Jan 21, 1982

Parochial Bus Systems, Inc. v. Board of Education

Parochial Bus Systems, Inc. (Parochial) contracted with the Board of Education of the City of New York (Board) to transport students. During a wildcat strike, Parochial ceased services, citing safety concerns due to violence and picketing. The Board, however, maintained that Parochial could have provided service with police protection and found alternative transportation. Parochial sought payment under a "Cessation of Service" clause, which the Board denied, also raising an affirmative defense regarding non-compliance with Education Law § 3813. The Special Term initially dismissed the defense and denied summary judgment, but the appellate court modified this, finding that Parochial did not substantially comply with its contractual obligations to "attempt" service, despite police protection offers. Ultimately, the court granted the Board's motion, dismissing both Parochial's and co-plaintiff Local 100's complaints.

Contract DisputeTransportation ServicesWildcat StrikeBreach of ContractEducation LawNotice of ClaimSubstantial ComplianceSummary JudgmentImpossibility of PerformancePicket Line
References
5
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Chainani v. Board of Education

This consolidated appeal addresses the liability of public schools for student injuries occurring between their homes and bus stops when transportation is provided by independent bus companies. In Chainani v Board of Educ., an eight-year-old was struck by a bus after disembarking, and the Court affirmed the Appellate Division's decision to reverse the Board of Education's vicarious liability, while upholding the bus company's and driver's liability. In Bruce v Hasbrouck, a nine-year-old was injured crossing a highway to an unauthorized bus stop; the Court affirmed the ruling that the school district held no direct or vicarious liability. The Court reasoned that schools, by contracting transportation, are not primarily responsible for driver actions or injuries outside their direct custody, nor is student transportation inherently dangerous to warrant vicarious liability.

School LiabilityStudent TransportationBus AccidentIndependent ContractorVicarious LiabilityDirect LiabilityVehicle and Traffic LawNondelegable DutyInherently Dangerous ActivityProximate Cause
References
36
Case No. 2018 NY Slip Op 03854 [161 AD3d 1188]
Regular Panel Decision
May 30, 2018

Owens v. Jea Bus Co., Inc.

The plaintiff, a school bus matron, sustained injuries in a collision and subsequently filed for workers' compensation benefits. The Workers' Compensation Board determined that Jea Bus Co., Inc. was her employer, and she began receiving benefits from their insurer. The plaintiff then commenced a personal injury action against Jea Bus Co., Inc., and Tebaldo A. Sibilia, the bus driver and a Smart Pick, Inc. employee. The defendants moved for summary judgment arguing the exclusivity provision of the Workers' Compensation Law. The Supreme Court denied this motion, finding triable issues of fact. The Appellate Division modified the order, granting summary judgment to Jea Bus Co., Inc., on the grounds of workers' compensation exclusivity, as the plaintiff had accepted benefits from them. However, the court denied summary judgment for Sibilia, finding he failed to establish prima facie that he was a special employee of Jea Bus Co., Inc., and thus not entitled to co-employee immunity.

Personal InjuryWorkers' Compensation ExclusivitySummary JudgmentAppellate PracticeCo-Employee ImmunitySpecial Employee StatusGrave InjuryWorkers' Compensation Board JurisdictionEmployer LiabilityContribution and Indemnification
References
32
Case No. 2024 NY Slip Op 02521 [227 AD3d 776]
Regular Panel Decision
May 08, 2024

Dolores v. Grandpa's Bus Co., Inc.

Cleotilde Dolores, the plaintiff, sustained personal injuries when her school bus was struck from the rear by another school bus owned by Grandpa's Bus Co., Inc., and driven by Samuel Bercy. She subsequently filed a personal injury action against the defendants. The defendants sought summary judgment, contending that the parties shared a special employment relationship with nonparty Logan Bus Payroll Systems, Inc., which would invoke the exclusive remedy provisions of the Workers' Compensation Law and bar the action. The Supreme Court, Kings County, denied the defendants' motion. On appeal, the Appellate Division, Second Department, affirmed the lower court's decision, ruling that the defendants failed to meet their prima facie burden to establish the existence of such a special employment relationship.

Personal InjurySummary JudgmentWorkers' Compensation LawSpecial Employment RelationshipEmployer LiabilityBus AccidentRear-End CollisionAppellate PracticePrima Facie BurdenKings County
References
8
Case No. 03-01-00491-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 11, 2002

West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District Coppell Independent School District La Porte Independent School District And Port Neches-Groves Independent School District v. Felipe Alanis, Texas Commissioner of Education The Texas Education Agency Carol Keeton Rylander, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts And the Texas State Board of Education Alvarado I.S.D. Anthony I.S.D. Aubrey I.S.D. Bangs I.S.D.

Four Texas school districts, led by West Orange-Cove Consolidated Independent School District, appealed the dismissal of their action seeking a declaratory judgment that the state's school finance system is unconstitutional. The districts contended that the $1.50 tax cap had become a de facto floor, forcing them to tax at the maximum allowable rate to provide education, thereby constituting an unconstitutional state ad valorem tax. The appellate court affirmed the dismissal, ruling that the districts failed to state a viable cause of action because they did not allege they were forced to tax at the cap specifically to provide the constitutionally-mandated 'accredited education.' The court also found the claim unripe, emphasizing that the focus should be on whether the state's requirements forced a lack of meaningful discretion in setting tax rates for an accredited education, not on a desired level of education or the number of districts taxing at the cap.

School Finance ReformConstitutional ChallengeAd Valorem TaxationEducation FundingDeclaratory JudgmentAppellate JurisdictionRipeness DoctrineTexas Constitution Article VII, Section 1Texas Constitution Article VIII, Section 1-eProperty Tax Cap
References
30
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Volpe v. New York City Department of Education

Cheryl Volpe, a special education teacher, sued the New York City Department of Education and Principal Olivia Francis-Webber, alleging retaliation, equal protection violations, and unlawful searches stemming from her advocacy for special needs students. The defendants filed a motion to dismiss, which the court partially granted and partially denied. The court dismissed Volpe's Fourth Amendment and equal protection claims, finding no protected class or unreasonable search. However, the court allowed her Rehabilitation Act and ADA retaliation claim to proceed, specifically regarding an incident on December 18, 2013, where she was confined after attempting to speak with a student's parent.

Special Education TeacherWorkplace RetaliationDisability DiscriminationADA Title IIRehabilitation ActPublic School SystemMotion to DismissHostile Work EnvironmentFourth Amendment ViolationEqual Protection Claim
References
68
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Apr 07, 2014

B.K. v. New York City Department of Education

G.K., a child diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, faced educational challenges for the 2011-2012 school year. His parents, B.K. and Y.K., initiated legal action against the New York City Department of Education, alleging that the Department failed to provide G.K. with a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) as mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA). The parents sought tuition reimbursement for G.K.'s private special education program and direct funding for home-based therapy, appealing an administrative decision that had previously denied their claims. The Department subsequently filed a cross-motion for summary judgment. The District Court, after conducting an independent review of the administrative record and giving due weight to the state administrative proceedings, denied the plaintiffs' motion for summary judgment and granted the Department's cross-motion, concluding that the May 2011 Individualized Education Program (IEP) proposed by the Department was procedurally and substantively adequate.

Individualized Education ProgramFree Appropriate Public EducationIndividuals with Disabilities Education ActAutism Spectrum DisorderSpecial EducationTuition ReimbursementDue Process HearingBehavioral Intervention PlanFunctional Behavioral AssessmentParental Participation
References
46
Case No. 2016 NY Slip Op 01770 [137 AD3d 542]
Regular Panel Decision
Mar 15, 2016

Matter of Niang v. New York City Dept. of Educ.

Babacar Niang, a school bus driver, challenged the New York City Department of Education's (DOE) decision to permanently revoke his certification for failing to submit to a drug test on the day of an accident. The Appellate Division, First Department, found the DOE's determination arbitrary and capricious and contrary to its own regulations. The court noted that the DOE's policy (Chancellor's Regulation C-102) only requires post-accident drug tests under specific circumstances, none of which applied to Niang's first accident where no injuries occurred and no vehicle was disabled. Furthermore, Niang underwent a drug test within 24 hours, which returned negative results. Consequently, the court annulled the DOE's determination, reinstated Niang's certification, and remanded the case for a hearing to determine any incidental damages.

School bus driverCertification revocationDrug test policyArbitrary and capriciousAgency regulationPost-accident testingChancellor's Regulation C-102Incidental damagesCPLR article 78Employment dispute
References
3
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
Feb 22, 1982

In re the Arbitration between Board of Education of Connetquot Central School District & Connetquot Teachers Ass'n

This dissenting opinion argues for affirming a Special Term's order directing a board of education to arbitrate a grievance filed by a teachers union. The union's claim involves continued use of office space in school district buildings, citing a collective bargaining agreement and past practice. The dissent contends that the arbitration clause is broad and encompasses the dispute, rejecting the employer's argument that law or public policy (specifically Education Law § 414 or Civil Service Law § 209-a) prohibits arbitration of this grievance. Justice O'Connor asserts that the union's use of office space for its statutory duties as a collective bargaining agent serves a "school purpose," similar to administrative and support services, and thus is not excluded by Education Law § 414. The dissent concludes that the order compelling arbitration should be affirmed.

ArbitrationCollective Bargaining AgreementGrievanceTeachers UnionBoard of EducationOffice SpaceSchool PropertyEducation LawCivil Service LawPublic Employment Relations Board
References
15
Case No. M2005-02719-COA-R3-CV
Regular Panel Decision
Jun 30, 2010

Wilson County Board of Education v. Wilson County Education Association and Steve Johnson

An assistant principal, Steve Johnson, was transferred to a teaching position by the Wilson County Board of Education. He, along with the Wilson County Education Association, grieved the transfer under a locally negotiated agreement. After the grievance was denied through internal steps, they sought to compel arbitration in the Chancery Court for Wilson County. The trial court granted summary judgment to the Board, concluding that assistant principals are statutorily similar to principals, giving the director of schools unrestrained authority to transfer them. On appeal, the Court of Appeals of Tennessee at Nashville affirmed the trial court's judgment, but on different grounds. The appellate court held that despite the agreement mentioning "binding arbitration," it also stated that the arbitrator "may recommend" remedies, creating an inconsistency that prevented a "meeting of the minds" on the final resolution procedure, thus rendering the arbitration agreement unenforceable.

Education Professional Negotiations ActGrievance ProcedureArbitration AgreementMeeting of the MindsContract InterpretationTeacher TransferAssistant PrincipalStatutory AuthoritySchool Board PowersBinding vs. Advisory Arbitration
References
29
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