Bauer v. U.S.D No. 452

The opinion of the court was delivered by Appellant James M. Bauer, a tenured teacher certified to teach
social science, power mechanics, general shop, and metals, who
had taught general shop and metals for seven years for U.S.D.
452, was nonrenewed by the Board of Education (Board) due to a
reduction in force. A nontenured teacher was hired to teach
social science and physical education. Bauer claimed that,
because he was certified to teach social science, he
[244 Kan. 7]
was improperly terminated by the Board. The district court
affirmed the Board's decision and Bauer appealed. In an
unpublished opinion filed March 24, 1988, the Court of Appeals
affirmed the district court, determining that "certified" is not
synonymous with "qualified." Therefore, although Bauer was
certified, he had not shown that he was qualified to teach social
science. We granted review and reverse.