P.E.R.C. No. 2021-55, Wayne Tp B/E
NJ Public Employment Relations Commission decision P.E.R.C. No. 2021-55, issued June 24, 2021: contested transfer, Wayne Tp B/E. The Public Employment Relations Commission affirms, with certain modifications, a Hearing Examiner’s decision in a contested transfer determination filed by the Wayne Cust
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A decision of the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC), not of the Civil Service Commission.
- Decision
- P.E.R.C. No. 2021-55
- Issued
- June 24, 2021
- Employer, as PERC printed it
- Wayne Tp B/E
- Docket
- TO-2020-004
- Kind of decision
- Contested transfer
- Reported at
- 48 NJPER 39 (¶10 2021)
Synopsis
As PERC published it.
The Public Employment Relations Commission affirms, with certain modifications, a Hearing Examiner’s decision in a contested transfer determination filed by the Wayne Custodial and Maintenance Association. The Hearing Examiner’s decision recommended that Wayne Township Board of Education violated N.J.S.A. 34:13A-25 by transferring a groundskeeper to head custodian for predominately disciplinary reasons, and that the employee be returned to his former position of groundskeeper. The Board filed exceptions to the Hearing Examiner’s decision, arguing that the Hearing Examiner’s credibility determinations were arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable. The Association argues that the Hearing Examiner’s decision was based on a thorough review of the preponderance of credible evidence. The Commission finds that that the Hearing Examiner’s credibility determinations and findings of fact were not arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable because they were supported by sufficient, competent, and credible evidence in the record. However, the Commission rejects the Hearing Examiner’s finding of fact that the Board’s supervisor exercised personal preference in offering overtime opportunities because such a finding was not based on a preponderance of credible evidence, and the Hearing Examiner drawing a negative inference from the Board not producing a certain witness’s testimony because it was not established how the absent testimony would have been superior to that testimony which was already in evidence.
It also cites N.J.S.A. 34:13A-25, N.J.S.A. 34:13A-27, N.J.A.C. 19:14-6.8, which this site does not reproduce, so they are not linked.
The decision
The panel is the decision as PERC issued it; labels, links and ¶ are ours.
CaptionSTATE OF NEW JERSEY BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION In the Matter of WAYNE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION, Public Employer, -and- Docket No. TO-2020-004 WAYNE CUSTODIAL & MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION, Petitioner. ¶
SynopsisSYNOPSIS ¶
The Public Employment Relations Commission affirms, with certain modifications, a Hearing Examiner’s decision in a contested transfer determination filed by the Wayne Custodial and Maintenance Association. The Hearing Examiner’s decision recommended that Wayne Township Board of Education violated N.J.S.A. 34:13A-25 by transferring a groundskeeper to head custodian for predominately disciplinary reasons, and that the employee be returned to his former position of groundskeeper. The Board filed exceptions to the Hearing Examiner’s decision, arguing that the Hearing Examiner’s credibility determinations were arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable. The Association argues that the Hearing Examiner’s decision was based on a thorough review of the preponderance of credible evidence. The Commission finds that that the Hearing Examiner’s credibility determinations and findings of fact were not arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable because they were supported by sufficient, competent, and credible evidence in the record. However, the Commission rejects the Hearing Examiner’s finding of fact that the Board’s supervisor exercised personal preference in offering overtime opportunities because such a finding was not based on a preponderance of credible evidence, and the Hearing Examiner drawing a negative inference from the Board not producing a certain witness’s testimony because it was not established how the absent testimony would have been superior to that testimony which was already in evidence. ¶
This synopsis is not part of the Commission decision. It has been prepared for the convenience of the reader. It has been neither reviewed nor approved by the Commission. ¶
CaptionSTATE OF NEW JERSEY BEFORE THE PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS COMMISSION In the Matter of WAYNE TOWNSHIP BOARD OF EDUCATION, Public Employer, -and- Docket No. TO-2020-004 WAYNE CUSTODIAL & MAINTENANCE ASSOCIATION, Petitioner. ¶
AppearancesAppearances: ¶
For the Public Employer, Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, attorneys (John G. Geppert, of counsel) ¶
For the Petitioner, Springstead & Maurice, LLC, attorneys (Alfred F. Maurice, of counsel and on the brief; Lauren E. McGovern, on the brief) ¶
DECISION ¶
This matter comes to us by way of exceptions to a Hearing Examiner’s Report and Recommendations in a contested transfer determination filed by the Wayne Custodial and Maintenance Association (Association). H.E. No. 2021-8, __ NJPER ___ (¶ _____). The Hearing Examiner recommended that we find that the Wayne Township Board of Education (Board) violated N.J.S.A. 34:13A-25 by transferring Brian Taylor (Taylor) from groundskeeper to head custodian for predominately disciplinary reasons, and that Taylor be returned to his former position of groundskeeper. The matter is now before the Commission to adopt, reject, or modify the Hearing Examiner's recommendations. After an independent review of the record, the Hearing Examiner's Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, and the parties' submissions, we adopt the Hearing Examiner’s recommendation with the following modifications, as explained below. ¶
On November 25, 2019, the Association filed its petition for a contested transfer determination pursuant to N.J.S.A. 34:13A- 25. On January 9, 2020, the Board filed an Answer denying that the transfer was for disciplinary reasons and asserting that the transfer was a promotion where Taylor would have greater opportunities for advancement and would receive an increased stipend. On November 30, 2020, the Hearing Examiner held a hearing via ZOOM video teleconference. The parties examined witnesses, proffered evidence, and argued orally. Post-hearing briefs were filed by March 5, 2021. The Hearing Examiner engaged in mediation efforts with the parties from March 6 through 31, 2021, but a resolution was not reached. On April 22, 2021 the Hearing Examiner issued his report and recommendations. ¶
We incorporate and adopt the Hearing Examiner’s Findings of Fact as if they were reproduced herein, with certain modifications. On May 3, 2021 the Board filed the following exceptions to the Hearing Examiner’s Findings of Fact: ¶
1. The finding that “the relationship between Taylor and Rocco was less than amicable; and that Rocco was unhappy with Taylor – professionally and/or personally – and interested in having Taylor move out of the groundskeeper position” . (H.E. at 14, Finding of Fact, 35). ¶
2. The finding that “Assistant Director Blanchard, knew, or should have known, about the discord in the relationship between Taylor and Rocco based in part upon overhearing the September 25, 2018 incident/inter-personal exchange” . (Ibid.) ¶
3. The finding that Taylor’s transfer “from groundskeeper to head custodian was unsolicited – i.e., he did not apply for this particular transfer/promotion” . (H.E. at 17, Finding of Fact, 44). ¶
4. The finding that “generally speaking before COVID-19, there were more overtime opportunities within the District for grounds staff than custodial staff; and custodians assigned to the high school and junior high schools had more overtime opportunities than custodians assigned to elementary schools.” (H.E. at 22, Finding of Fact, 58). ¶
5. The finding that “District supervisors – in particular Rocco – often exercise their personal preference in terms of which employees are offered overtime opportunities. (Ibid.) ¶
6. The Hearing Officer’s decision to draw a negative inference because the District did not have John Maso testify. (H.E. at 25, Footnote 6). ¶
7. The finding that “during the late August 2019 meeting, Blanchard specified that the reasons for Taylor’s transfer were predominately disciplinary” . (H.E. at 32, Findings of Fact, 78). ¶
8. The finding that the conclusion that the transfer was disciplinary was “congruous with the record as a whole regarding the relationship between Taylor and Rocco, the fact that Taylor did not apply for this particular transfer/promotion, and the fact that being transferred from groundskeeper to head custodian may not necessarily mean an increase in total compensation” . (Ibid.) ¶
9. The finding that “the Board provided no evidence demonstrating the basis for Taylor’s transfer – e.g. contemporaneous writing, allegedly corroborating testimony of John Maso, specific staffing or operational issues necessitating same, etc.” (Ibid.) ¶
On May 7 2021, the Association filed a response to the Board’s exceptions. We summarize the pertinent facts to our analysis as follows. ¶
Taylor, the President of the Association as of 2020, has been employed by the Board for approximately 26 years and served as a groundskeeper for the 2018-2019 school year. Taylor has two disciplinary infractions during his tenure, one in September 2013 and another in September 2018, approximately one year before his transfer. On September 6, 2019, the Board provided written notification, without any explanation, of Taylor’s transfer from the position of groundskeeper to head custodian at an elementary school, which did not change his salary but did entitle him to a $1,300 stipend. On September 20, 2019, the Board transferred Taylor from head custodian at the original elementary school to a different elementary school, but again provided no explanation of the transfer in its written notification to Taylor. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 1-16, 25). ¶
Andrew Rocco (Rocco) has been employed by the Board for approximately six years and serves as a “Buildings & Grounds Supervisor” , where he supervised Taylor as a groundskeeper starting in 2018. Taylor, and two other Association witnesses, testified that Rocco and Taylor had an acrimonious relationship, which included Rocco yelling at Taylor and continuously threatening to fire or transfer him, among other negative experiences. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 29-31). The Association witnesses did not testify as to motive for the animosity from Rocco towards Taylor. (Ibid.) Rocco’s testimony denied Taylor’s and the Association witnesses’ allegations of an acrimonious personal relationship with Taylor and any inappropriate negative conduct towards Taylor. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 32). ¶
Robert Blanchard (Blanchard), who has been employed by the Board for nine years and serves as an “Assistant Director of Facilities Management, Safety & Security” , testified that he had a cordial and minimal personal relationship with Taylor with no negative interactions. However, Blanchard testified that he expressed dissatisfaction with Taylor due to a work order he claimed was completed, but was in fact, not completed. Additionally, Blanchard testified that he overheard an incident on September 25, 2018 between Taylor and Rocco, where Taylor was allegedly insubordinate, and Blanchard instructed Rocco to write up Taylor. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 33-34; 1T85:8-20). ¶
The Board’s witnesses testified that a transfer from groundskeeper to head custodian is a promotion, despite the salaries being the same, because it is s supervisory role, provides more advancement opportunities, includes an additional $1,300 stipend, and still provides overtime opportunities. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 38-43). Blanchard testified that it is rare for an employee to be transferred from groundskeeper to head custodian absent a request from the employee. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 40). Taylor testified that he had expressed interest in supervisory jobs three previous times, but none were for head custodian at a school. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 37). ¶
Taylor testified that he lost overtime opportunities as a result of the transfer from groundskeeper to head custodian. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 49). The Association’s witnesses testified that there are more overtime opportunities for grounds than for custodial staff. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 45-48). Taylor and the other Association’s witnesses testified that custodians assigned to elementary schools, like Taylor, had fewer overtime opportunities than custodians at the high school or junior high. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 48, 50). The Board’s witnesses disputed the Association’s claims and testified that overtime opportunities for groundskeepers and custodians are very similar. Rocco testified that custodians make more overtime than groundskeepers. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 52-57). ¶
The Association’s witnesses testified that in August 2019 they had a meeting with Blanchard and Rocco to discuss Taylor’s involuntary transfer, and that Blanchard provided three reasons for Taylor’s transfer - a falsified work order, insubordination, and Taylor not being in a work area where he was supposed to be. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 59-63). Blanchard testified that at the August 2019 meeting, he informed Taylor of the pending transfer and stated that the only reason for the transfer was that Taylor had expressed interest in supervisory roles in the past and had been passed over several times. Blanchard further testified that Taylor did not object to the transfer at the meeting and did not indicate that he thought it was disciplinary. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 64-66). Rocco testified that he was present at the August 2019 meeting, but it was Blanchard’s decision to transfer Taylor, not his. Rocco testified that his understanding of the reason for the transfer was an unexpected retirement that needed to be filled and Taylor was deserving of the promotion. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 71). Rocco conceded that Taylor may view the transfer as disciplinary because of a potential loss of freedom due to a head custodian being in the school all day as opposed to a groundskeeper who is in a pick-up truck. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 72). Both Blanchard and Rocco denied that Taylor was transferred for any prior disciplinary incident. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 69, 73). ¶
The Association’s witnesses testified that following the August 2019 meeting the Association sent the Board a letter, dated November 24, 2019, rebutting Taylor’s transfer, memorializing the three reasons provided at the meeting by the Board for the transfer, and providing the Association’s version of the facts. (H.E. Findings of Fact, 75). Blanchard testified that he did not recall seeing the Association’s November 24 letter. ¶
Section XV of the parties’ CNA, entitled “Transfers and Vacancies,” provides in pertinent part: ¶
A. Vacancies ¶
Approved vacancies in full-time positions in the Facilities Department which are created due to death, retirement, resignation or non-renewal will be posted and filled within 150 days of the vacancy. Vacancies, which are defined as an opening in a position which needs to be filled on a permanent basis, shall be posted for a period of not less than ten (10) school days. ¶
B. Transfers ¶
All requests for transfers or reassignments shall be submitted in writing to the Director of Facilities or his/her designee. The deciding factor in the selection of employees to other or different positions shall be performance. ¶
C. A transfer is the change of an employee's job location between buildings, and a reassignment is a change of location or shift within the same building. ¶
D. Involuntary transfers or reassignments shall be made only after a meeting between the Superintendent (or designee) and the employee so affected at which time the reasons for the transfer or reassignment shall be given. ¶
E. Involuntary transfers shall not result in an employee being reduced in compensation. ¶
The record does not show that the Board followed any formal or informal process in compliance with the parties’ CNA when transferring Taylor into the vacant head custodian position. (H.E. at 41). The Board did not post the vacant position in accordance with Section XV, A. The Board did not receive a written request for the transfer from Taylor in accordance with Section XV, B. Although the reasons for Taylor’s transfer were provided at the August 2019 meeting in accordance with Section XV, D, even if the parties dispute which reasons were provided, the Board’s written notifications to Taylor about the transfer provided no reasons - no mention of the transfer being a promotional opportunity for Taylor. The Board did not show the emergent need to fill the vacant head custodian position, requiring the position to not be posted, for interviews to not be held, and for Taylor to be the only candidate considered. ¶
The Hearing Examiner’s decision found that the preponderance of the Association’s credible evidence established that Taylor’s transfer was for predominately disciplinary reasons. The Hearing Examiner found the Association’s testimony more credible than that of the Board’s regarding: Rocco’s hostile working relationship with Taylor; that Taylor did not want or request the transfer; that the transfer resulted in less overtime opportunities for Taylor; and that three disciplinary incidents were the reason for the transfer provided at the August 2019 meeting. The Hearing Examiner’s decision further found that the Board failed to establish its affirmative defense - that Taylor was transferred for operational reasons, to promote Taylor and to immediately fill an unexpected vacancy in the head custodian position. ¶
The standard we apply in reviewing a Hearing Examiner's decision is set forth in pertinent part at N.J.S.A. 52:14B-10(c): ¶
The head of the agency, upon a review of the record submitted by the [hearing officer], shall adopt, reject or modify the recommended report and decision . . . after receipt of such recommendations. In reviewing the decision . . ., the agency head may reject or modify findings of fact, conclusions of law or interpretations of agency policy in the decision, but shall state clearly the reasons for doing so. The agency head may not reject or modify any findings of fact as to issues of credibility of lay witness testimony unless it is first determined from a review of the record that the findings are arbitrary, capricious or unreasonable or are not supported by sufficient, competent, and credible evidence in the record. In rejecting or modifying any findings of fact, the agency head shall state with particularity the reasons for rejecting the findings and shall make new or modified findings supported by sufficient, competent, and credible evidence in the record. ¶
[Emphasis added.] ¶
N.J.S.A. 34:13A-25 prohibits transfers of school employees between work sites for disciplinary reasons. The Commission has jurisdiction to determine whether a transfer is predominately disciplinary and, if so, to take reasonable action to effectuate the purposes of our Act. N.J.S.A. 34:13A-27. Where we find that a school employee was transferred for disciplinary reasons, the remedy is to return the employee to the former work site. The petitioner has the burden of proving its allegations by a preponderance of the evidence. Irvington Bd. of Ed., P.E.R.C. No. 98-94, 24 NJPER 113 (¶29056 1998). ¶
In West New York Bd. of Ed., P.E.R.C. No. 2001-41, 27 NJPER 96 (¶32037 2001), the Commission set standards for assessing whether a transfer is disciplinary under our statute. The Commission stated: ¶
Our case law does not establish a bright line test for assessing whether a transfer is disciplinary. . . . [O]ur decisions indicate that we have found transfers to be disciplinary where they were triggered by an incident for which the employee was also reprimanded or otherwise disciplined or were closely related in time to an alleged incident of misconduct. In all of these cases, we noted that the employer did not explain how the transfer furthered its educational or operational needs. ¶
By contrast, we have found transfers not to be disciplinary where they were effected predominantly to further an employer’s educational, operational, or staffing objectives. ¶
Other of our cases have found that transfers effected because of concern about an employee’s poor performance of core job duties -- as opposed to concerns about absenteeism or violation of administrative procedures -- were not disciplinary but instead implicated the employer’s right to assign and transfer employees based on their qualifications and abilities. ¶
This case law provides a framework for assessing whether a transfer is disciplinary under N.J.S.A. 34:13A-25, and is consistent with what appears to have been the Legislature’s understanding that a transfer is predominately disciplinary when it is punitive and/or is not made for educational or staffing reasons. Accordingly, in exercising our jurisdiction under N.J.S.A. 34:13A-27, we will consider such factors as whether the transfer was intended to accomplish educational, staffing or operational objectives; whether the Board has explained how the transfer was so linked; and whether the employee was reprimanded for any conduct or incident which prompted the transfer. ¶
[27 NJPER at 98; citations omitted.] ¶
The Board argues that the Hearing Examiner’s credibility determinations, which were the basis for his findings of fact, were arbitrary, capricious, and unreasonable. The Board claims the Hearing Examiner provided no specific basis for crediting the testimony of Association witnesses over that of the Boards’s witnesses. The Board further argues that the Hearing Examiner failed to apply the appropriate legal standard, erroneously shifting the burden of proof onto the Board to prove it did not transfer Taylor for disciplinary reasons. The Board takes particular issue with the Hearing Examiner making a negative inference for the Board not calling John Maso (Maso), Blanchard’s supervisor. The Board argues that the Hearing Examiner gave undue weight to that negative inference and it was not justified because the fact witness was not available to testify, and regardless, his potential testimony would have been duplicative to that of the other Board’s witnesses. ¶
The Association argues that the Hearing Examiner’s credibility determinations and findings of fact should not be disturbed because they were based on his thorough and careful review of the competent evidence as a whole. The Association argues that the Hearing Examiner properly applied the appropriate legal standard and burden of proof in finding that the Board transferred Taylor for predominately disciplinary reasons. Moreover, the Association further argues that the Hearing Examiner properly found that the Board failed to establish performance, educational, operation or staffing reasons for Taylor’s transfer. ¶
I. Board’s Exceptions 1,2,3,4,7,8,9 are Rejected. ¶
Regarding the Board’s exceptions 1,2,3,4,7,8,9, we find that the Hearing Examiner’s credibility determinations and findings of fact were not arbitrary, capricious, or unreasonable, and were supported by sufficient, competent, and credible evidence in the record. N.J.S.A. 52:14B-10 (c). It is for the trier of fact to evaluate and weigh contradictory testimony. Absent compelling contrary evidence, we will not substitute our reading of the transcripts for a Hearing Examiner’s first-hand observations and judgments. West Orange Bd. of Ed., P.E.R.C. No. 2019-10, 45 NJPER 144 (¶37 2018). This is a case rife with contradictory testimony that hinges on the first-hand credibility assessments by the Hearing Examiner, and in such cases, we will not disturb the Hearing Examiner’s findings. See Galloway Tp. Bd. of Ed., P.E.R.C. No. 2011-15, 36 NJPER 319 (¶124 2010)( “We have no basis to reject the Hearing Examiner’s findings because they were made based on her assessment of the credibility of the Board’s witnesses.” ) ¶
We reject the Board’s first and second exceptions. The Association’s witnesses, including Taylor, all consistently testified that Rocco had shown hostility towards Taylor since becoming his supervisor. Both Rocco and Blanchard denied having any personal or performance issues with Taylor. However, this is belied by several disciplinary incidents such as Taylor’s alleged falsification of a work order, at which Blanchard expressed his disappointment to Taylor. Moreover, Blanchard directly overheard Rocco reprimanding Taylor over alleged insubordination on September 25, 2018, for which Blanchard instructed Rocco to write up Taylor. ¶
We reject the Board’s third exception. The record is clear that Taylor did not apply for this transfer even if he had expressed interest in being promoted to supervisory roles in the past. Taylor had applied for previous supervisory roles, which he did not receive, but had never applied to be a head custodian. The Board did not receive a written request from Taylor to be transferred as required by the CNA. Taylor testified that the transfer cost him money on overtime opportunities, despite the $1,300 stipend. Whether the reasons Taylor did not want to be transferred was less freedom being located within a school rather than being mobile working in a pick-up truck, or simply, that he would make less money, the record clearly shows, as does the existence of this matter, that Taylor did not want to be transferred. ¶
We reject the Board’s fourth exception, and relatedly, its eighth exception. The Board argues that Taylor’s transfer was a promotion and not disciplinary because it would result in Taylor making more money, including an additional $1,300 stipend, and more career advancement opportunities. We have found that “a salary increase alone, however, does not prove that a change is not punitive.” Cty of Hudson, P.E.R.C. No. 87-20, 12 NJPER 742, at n.3, (¶17278 1986). The Association’s witnesses, including Taylor, all consistently testified that grounds staff had more overtime opportunities than custodial staff, and that high school and junior high custodians made more overtime than elementary school custodians, such as Taylor. Despite the Board’s claim that Taylor’s promotion would result in more money, Taylor’s payroll records, submitted into evidence, show that Taylor did not make much more as a head custodian than as a groundskeeper. The Hearing Examiner reasonably concluded that even if the transfer were considered a promotion it did not necessarily result in increased total compensation for Taylor. ¶
We reject the Board’s seventh exception. The Association’s witnesses, including Taylor, all consistently testified that three prior disciplinary incidents were the reason provided for Taylor’s transfer at the August 2019 meeting. While not necessarily a contemporaneous memorialization of the meeting, these disciplinary reasons were corroborated by the Association’s November 24 letter to the Board objecting to Taylor’s transfer. The Board’s witnesses claimed the reason for the transfer was a long-deserved promotion for Taylor. However, the written notices to Taylor regarding his subsequent transfers do not mention promotion as a reason. Those notices provide no explanation, where they could have, in contrast to the Association’s November 24 letter. ¶
We reject the Board’s ninth exception. The Board’s witnesses testified that Taylor was transferred to head custodian in response to an unexpected retirement and the immediate need to fill that vacancy. However, the Board did not establish why it needed to fill the vacancy in the ad hoc manner in which it did, through Taylor’s transfer. Blanchard testified that it was rare for a groundskeeper to be promoted to head custodian. The Board did not post the position, interview for the vacancy, or apparently consider any other candidates besides Taylor. The Board did not receive a written request by Taylor to be transferred as required by the CNA. Further, even if Taylor’s transfer was the only solution to the emergent need to fill the head custodian vacancy at the original school, the Board does not explain why a few weeks later Taylor was transferred again to a different school. This undermines the alleged emergent need to fill the head custodian vacancy. ¶
II. Board’s Exceptions 5 and 6 are Accepted. ¶
We accept the Board’s fifth exception and reject the Hearing Examiner’s finding that Rocco exercised personal preference in offering overtime opportunities because it was not based on a preponderance of the credible evidence. While the Association’s witnesses’ testified that custodial staff could make significant overtime because management played favorites, the Board disputed this and stated that overtime was allocated by seniority pursuant to the CNA. The Association did not present any evidence that it had grieved how overtime had been or was being allocated or that any particular employee was receiving disproportionate overtime in violation of the CNA. Nevertheless, we find that the Hearing Examiner’s conclusion that management may have given preference to certain employees regarding overtime opportunities had de minimis impact on his analysis. ¶
We also accept the Board’s sixth exception and reject the Hearing Examiner drawing a negative inference from the Board not having Maso testify. For a negative inference to be drawn, the witness must be within the power of the of the party to produce and the proffered testimony must be superior to that already in evidence with respect to the fact to be proven. State v. Clawins, 38 N.J. 162, 171 (1962); accord Torres v. Pabon, 225 N.J. 167, 181-183 (2016). While Maso was within the power of the Board to produce, particularly because the hearing was via video conference, it is not clear in the record how Maso’s testimony would have been superior to that of Blanchard’s or Rocco’s testimony. Blanchard had testified that he had suggested to his supervisor, Maso, that Taylor be transferred. Rocco had testified that it was Blanchard’s decision to transfer Taylor. Also, Maso was not in attendance at the August 2019 meeting with the Association to discuss Taylor’s transfer. Thus, we find that the Hearing Examiner’s negative inference was unfounded. However, despite the Board’s insistence that the Hearing Examiner gave undue weight to this negative inference, we find that it had de minimis impact on the analysis. ¶
In sum, all of the Board’s exceptions that we reject hinge on the Hearing Examiner’s assessment of the witnesses’ credibility and the preponderance of competent evidence. The Hearing Examiner reasonably credited the Association’s testimony over the Board’s, and we will not disturb those credibility determinations. See Galloway, supra. The two Board exceptions we accept do not alter the overall analysis of the competent evidence and the Hearing Examiner’s conclusion. Once the Association met its burden to prove, through its credible testimony, that the transfer was predominately disciplinary, the burden shifted to the Board to prove its affirmative defenses. See N.J.A.C. 19:14-6.8. The Board failed to establish that it needed to transfer Taylor to fill the unexpected head custodian vacancy, and it failed to establish that Taylor was transferred as a promotion, at his request and for his benefit. ¶
OrderORDER ¶
The Hearing Examiner’s decision is affirmed, as modified herein, and Wayne Township Board of Education is ordered to return Taylor to his to his former groundskeeper position located as assigned during the 2018-2019 school year – i.e., Wayne Hills High School and various buildings and other Board properties. ¶
BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION ¶
Chair Weisblatt and Commissioners Bonanni, Ford, Jones, Papero and Voos voted in favor of this decision. None opposed. ¶
ISSUED: June 24, 2021 ¶
Trenton, New Jersey ¶
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