Herrera v. Union No. 39 School Dist.

School Principal Wins Case Over Suspension Without Hearing

This case involved a school principal named Herrera who was placed on paid administrative leave by Union No. 39 School District without being given a hearing first. Herrera argued that the district violated his employment contract and his right to due process by suspending him without allowing him to defend himself or explain his side of the story.

The Vermont Supreme Court ruled in favor of Herrera. The court found that the school district broke the principal's employment contract when they placed him on administrative leave without first providing a hearing. The court also said this action may have violated his constitutional right to due process - the legal principle that people must be given fair treatment before losing their job or facing discipline. The court sent the case back to a lower court to determine what damages, if any, Herrera should receive.

This decision matters for workers because it reinforces that employers must follow the procedures outlined in employment contracts, especially regarding discipline and hearings. Workers with contracts that require hearings before suspension or termination have stronger protection and can challenge employers who skip these important steps.