Diana Massey v. Janet Womack et al.

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REL: 9/7/12 Notice: T h i s o p i n i o n i s s u b j e c t t o formal r e v i s i o n b e f o r e p u b l i c a t i o n i n t h e advance s h e e t s o f Southern R e p o r t e r . R e a d e r s a r e r e q u e s t e d t o n o t i f y t h e R e p o r t e r o f D e c i s i o n s , Alabama A p p e l l a t e C o u r t s , 300 D e x t e r A v e n u e , M o n t g o m e r y , A l a b a m a 3 6 1 0 4 - 3 7 4 1 ((334) 2 2 9 - 0 6 4 9 ) , o f a n y t y p o g r a p h i c a l o r o t h e r e r r o r s , i n o r d e r t h a t c o r r e c t i o n s may b e made b e f o r e t h e o p i n i o n i s p r i n t e d i n Southern R e p o r t e r . ALABAMA COURT OF CIVIL APPEALS SPECIAL TERM, 2012 2110422 Diana Massey v. Janet Womack e t a l . Appeal from Lauderdale C i r c u i t (CV-09-900055) Court BRYAN, J u d g e . Diana Massey appeals the Florence individual City members Board f r o m a summary of Education of the board judgment i n f a v o r o f ("the b o a r d " ) , ("the board the members"), i n 2110422 their official capacities, and t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t board ("the s u p e r i n t e n d e n t " ) , 1 i n her o f f i c i a l of the capacity. We 2 affirm. E f f e c t i v e M a r c h 10, 2004, t h e b o a r d e m p l o y e d M a s s e y , who i s a r e g i s t e r e d n u r s e , f o r t h e p o s i t i o n o f "Head S t a r t Health and Family Data E n t r y Service Center Coordinator" a t t h e Handy Head S t a r t ("Handy Head S t a r t " ) . On A u g u s t 10, 2010, the b o a r d t r a n s f e r r e d Massey t o the p o s i t i o n o f " R e g i s t e r e d N u r s e " a t Weeden E l e m e n t a r y While School. s h e was e m p l o y e d Entry Coordinator salary specified a s Head Start a t Handy Head S t a r t , f o r that position Health and Data M a s s e y was p a i d t h e on t h e b o a r d ' s s c h e d u l e f o r i t s Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t s t a f f . being transferred t o the p o s i t i o n of Registered salary Since Nurse a t Weeden E l e m e n t a r y S c h o o l on A u g u s t 10, 2 0 1 0 , M a s s e y h a s b e e n p a i d t h e s a l a r y s p e c i f i e d f o r t h e p o s i t i o n o f R e g i s t e r e d Nurse The b o a r d members a r e V i c k i K i r k m a n , Tom W i s s e r t , J o r d a n , MaLeah Chaney, L a u r a Hardeman, a n d J i m F i s h e r . 1 Bill When M a s s e y f i l e d h e r a c t i o n , t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t was D r . K e n d y B e h r e n d s . W h i l e t h e a c t i o n was p e n d i n g i n t h e t r i a l c o u r t , B e h r e n d s r e t i r e d a n d h e r s u c c e s s o r , D r . J a n e t Womack, was a u t o m a t i c a l l y s u b s t i t u t e d f o r B e h r e n d s p u r s u a n t t o R u l e 2 5 ( d ) ( 1 ) , A l a . R. C i v . P. 2 2 2110422 on the board's s a l a r y that serve ("the K-12 The children salary annual schedule f o r i t s employees at i n k i n d e r g a r t e n and e d u c a t i o n budget a c t s f o r f i s c a l schedules for school nurses M a s s e y was ("the The salary Start and Data E n t r y C o o r d i n a t o r was years 2007¬ minimum-salary paid while she was Head a t Handy Head Start l o w e r t h a n b o t h t h e s a l a r y s p e c i f i e d by t h e m i n i m u m - s a l a r y schedules for a school nurse with experience M a s s e y ' s and t h e s a l a r y s p e c i f i e d by t h e K-12 for 12 2010-2011 c o n t a i n e d minimum- schedules"). Health grades 1 through schedule"). 2008, 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and salary schools comparable salary to schedule a R e g i s t e r e d Nurse w i t h e x p e r i e n c e comparable to Massey's. On March 3, 2009, Massey sued the board, the board members, and t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t , c l a i m i n g t h a t , b e g i n n i n g w i t h fiscal y e a r 2007-2008, t h e b o a r d s h o u l d have p a i d h e r f o r h e r service Handy as Head Head S t a r t Start Health either nurse w i t h experience salary Nurse salary schedules with or Data E n t r y salary Coordinator specified for a at school c o m p a r a b l e t o M a s s e y ' s on t h e minimumthe experience schedule. the and salary specified comparable Massey stated 3 a to for a Massey's on Registered the breach-of-contract K-12 claim 2110422 s e e k i n g c o m p e n s a t o r y damages, c o s t s , a d d i t i o n , she and an attorney fee. s t a t e d a c l a i m s e e k i n g a judgment d e c l a r i n g e n t i t l e d t o b a c k pay was pay and b e n e f i t s " ) i n an amount e q u a l t o t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n the salary been p a i d the benefits she ("the c l a i m e d back w o u l d have r e c e i v e d i n accordance w i t h K-12 benefits that she and and In i f she had the minimum-salary schedules s a l a r y schedule while she s e r v e d as the Head Start Health and D a t a E n t r y C o o r d i n a t o r a t Handy Head S t a r t and salary and benefits She also stated injunction she actually received claims seeking a compelling the board, s u p e r i n t e n d e n t t o pay her the Answering, the board, writ the for that of the and an b o a r d members, and board s u p e r i n t e n d e n t d e n i e d t h a t M a s s e y was the service. mandamus c l a i m e d b a c k pay and or the benefits. members, and paid in accordance w i t h e i t h e r the minimum-salary s c h e d u l e s or the K- 12 s a l a r y schedule while and Data E n t r y she was ("§ to that A r t i c l e 14"), On Coordinator entitled asserted she barred September the Massey's 15, s e r v e d as t h e 2011, Head S t a r t Health a t Handy Head S t a r t , d e n i e d claimed I, § e n t i t l e d t o be the 14, b a c k pay or benefits, Alabama C o n s t i t u t i o n of that and 1901 claims. the 4 parties filed cross-motions 2110422 for a summary j u d g m e n t and hearing, the trial supporting evidence. Following a court, on November 9, j u d g m e n t d e n y i n g t h e summary-judgment m o t i o n and g r a n t i n g t h e summary-judgment m o t i o n 2011, entered a f i l e d by M a s s e y f i l e d by t h e board, t h e b o a r d members, and t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t . Massey postjudgment timely filed a Rule 59(e), Ala. R. Civ. P., motion, which the t r i a l c o u r t d e n i e d . Massey then t i m e l y appealed to t h i s court. "We r e v i e w a summary j u d g m e n t de novo. A m e r i c a n L i b e r t y I n s . Co. v. AmSouth Bank, 825 So. 2d 786 (Ala. 2002). "'We a p p l y t h e same s t a n d a r d o f r e v i e w t h e t r i a l c o u r t used i n d e t e r m i n i n g whether the evidence p r e s e n t e d to the t r i a l court c r e a t e d a genuine i s s u e of m a t e r i a l f a c t . Once a p a r t y m o v i n g f o r a summary j u d g m e n t establishes that no genuine issue of m a t e r i a l f a c t e x i s t s , the burden s h i f t s t o the nonmovant to present substantial evidence creating a genuine issue of material fact. "Substantial evidence" i s " e v i d e n c e o f s u c h w e i g h t and q u a l i t y t h a t f a i r - m i n d e d persons i n the e x e r c i s e of i m p a r t i a l judgment can r e a s o n a b l y i n f e r the e x i s t e n c e o f t h e f a c t s o u g h t t o be p r o v e d . " I n r e v i e w i n g a summary j u d g m e n t , we v i e w t h e e v i d e n c e i n t h e l i g h t most f a v o r a b l e t o t h e nonmovant and e n t e r t a i n s u c h r e a s o n a b l e i n f e r e n c e s as t h e j u r y w o u l d have b e e n f r e e to draw.' "Nationwide Architects, Prop. P.C.], & 792 Cas. Ins. Co.[ v. DPF So. 2d [369] a t 372 [(Ala. 5 2110422 2000)] (citations omitted), quoted L i b e r t y I n s . Co., 825 So. 2d a t 790." P o t t e r v. F i r s t R e a l Estate in American Co., 844 So. 2d 540, 545 ( A l a . 2002). Initially, we note that Massey conceded i n the trial c o u r t a n d c o n c e d e s i n h e r r e p l y b r i e f t o t h i s c o u r t t h a t § 14 bars the a l l her claims summary against judgment Massey concedes the board. Therefore, with respect i n her reply b r i e f the summary judgment affirm to the board. Moreover, to this t h a t § 14 court bars a l l her claims against the superintendent. affirm we with Therefore, respect to we the superintendent. Although M a s s e y a r g u e s t h a t § 14 does n o t b a r h e r c l a i m s a g a i n s t t h e b o a r d members i n s o f a r as h e r c l a i m s s e e k t o c o m p e l the board members to pay her the claimed back pay and b e n e f i t s , she h a s n o t a r g u e d t h a t § 14 does n o t b a r h e r c l a i m s i n s o f a r as t h e y members. brief, 89, seek o t h e r forms o f r e l i e f "When an a p p e l l a n t fails against the board t o a r g u e an i s s u e in i t s that issue i s waived." B o s h e l l v . K e i t h , 418 So. 2d 92 ( A l a . 1 9 8 2 ) . T h e r e f o r e , we a f f i r m t h e summary j u d g m e n t i n f a v o r o f t h e b o a r d members i n s o f a r as M a s s e y ' s c l a i m s any form of r e l i e f other than 6 a writ o f mandamus seek o r an 2110422 i n j u n c t i o n c o m p e l l i n g t h e b o a r d members t o p a y h e r t h e c l a i m e d back pay and b e n e f i t s . I n Ex p a r t e B e s s e m e r B o a r d o f E d u c a t i o n , 790-91 bar ( A l a . 2 0 1 1 ) , t h e supreme c o u r t h e l d t h a t § 14 d i d n o t a claim Education to 68 So. 3d 782, against t h e members o f t h e Bessemer Board of i n t h e i r o f f i c i a l c a p a c i t i e s s e e k i n g t o c o m p e l them p a y an e m p l o y e e o f t h e Bessemer Board of Education the a p p r o p r i a t e p a y i n c r e a s e she was due u n d e r a s t a t u t e b e c a u s e the members o f t h e B e s s e m e r B o a r d o f E d u c a t i o n had a legal d u t y t o pay h e r t h e a p p r o p r i a t e pay i n c r e a s e and, t h e r e f o r e , t h e payment o f t h e a p p r o p r i a t e p a y i n c r e a s e she was due u n d e r the s t a t u t e was a m i n i s t e r i a l a c t . In the present case, i f M a s s e y was e n t i t l e d t o be p a i d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h e i t h e r t h e minimum-salary schedules o r t h e K-12 s a l a r y s c h e d u l e w h i l e she was Head S t a r t H e a l t h a n d D a t a E n t r y C o o r d i n a t o r Start, the board would have a legal duty a t Handy Head t o pay h e r the c l a i m e d b a c k p a y a n d b e n e f i t s a n d , t h e r e f o r e , t h e payment o f the be c l a i m e d b a c k p a y a n d b e n e f i t s b y t h e b o a r d members w o u l d a m i n i s t e r i a l a c t . I d . A c c o r d i n g l y , we c o n c l u d e t h a t § 14 does n o t b a r M a s s e y ' s c l a i m s the board members t o pay i n s o f a r as t h e y her 7 the claimed seek t o compel back pay and 2110422 benefits, and, therefore, we will Massey's argument r e g a r d i n g t h o s e she was entitled to be the merits w i t h the paid at 2007-2008 least fiscal the s p e c i f i e d on t h e m i n i m u m - s a l a r y s c h e d u l e s with she salary for a school experience comparable Head S t a r t H e a l t h and to hers Data Entry S t a r t b e c a u s e , she s a y s , she was she was was an e m p l o y e e o f t h e b o a r d w h i l e and nurse. Data Entry The with s a l a r y schedule was not the provided, April she at served as Head S t a r t Handy Head Start; n o t e n t i t l e d t o be p a i d i n minimum-salary a "school nurse" 21, 2009, she b o a r d members a g r e e t h a t M a s s e y Coordinator the p e r t i n e n t s e c t i o n s of the the therefore, schedules or the w h i l e she s e r v e d i n t h a t p o s i t i o n b e c a u s e s e r v i n g as Before as a t Handy Head and Handy Head S t a r t i s a s c h o o l and, h o w e v e r , t h e y a s s e r t t h a t she was accordance served nurse an e m p l o y e e o f t h e b o a r d , a nurse, Health while Coordinator was a school of claims. Massey argues t h a t , b e g i n n i n g year, consider as K-12 she t h a t term i s used i n Code. § 16-22-16, Ala. Code in pertinent part: "(a) The S t a t e B o a r d o f E d u c a t i o n s h a l l r e q u i r e t h e employment o f r e g i s t e r e d n u r s e s i n e a c h l o c a l s c h o o l s y s t e m .... 8 1975, 2110422 II " ( e ) T h e r e s h a l l be a minimum s t a t e w i d e s a l a r y s c h e d u l e f o r s c h o o l n u r s e s w h i c h s h a l l be i n c l u d e d i n the annual budget a c t f o r the p u b l i c s c h o o l s . "(f) The amounts necessary to meet the r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h i s s e c t i o n s h a l l be a p p r o p r i a t e d i n the annual budget a c t f o r the p u b l i c s c h o o l s . " (Emphasis added.) Effective amended, April 21, 2009, § 16-22-16 was amended. § 16-22-16 now p r o v i d e s , i n p e r t i n e n t p a r t : "(a) The S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n ... s h a l l r e q u i r e t h e employment o f s c h o o l n u r s e s i n e a c h l o c a l s c h o o l system. II " ( f ) A t a minimum, a l l s c h o o l n u r s e s s h a l l be p a i d according t o the statewide s a l a r y schedule f o r s c h o o l n u r s e s w h i c h s h a l l be i n c l u d e d i n t h e a n n u a l budget a c t f o r the p u b l i c s c h o o l s . "(g) The amounts necessary to meet the r e q u i r e m e n t s o f t h i s s e c t i o n s h a l l be a p p r o p r i a t e d i n the annual budget a c t f o r the p u b l i c schools " (Emphasis added.) S e c t i o n 16-11-16, A l a . Code 1975, p r o v i d e s : "(a) The c i t y b o a r d o f e d u c a t i o n s h a l l h a v e power t o e s t a b l i s h and m a i n t a i n a s y s t e m o f p u b l i c s c h o o l s i n c l u d i n g k i n d e r g a r t e n s and p l a y g r o u n d s f o r t h e b e n e f i t o f c h i l d r e n who a r e b o n a f i d e r e s i d e n t s o f and l i v i n g w i t h i n t h e c o r p o r a t e l i m i t s o f s u c h city. 9 As 2110422 "(b) Such c h i l d r e n who a r e s i x y e a r s o f age and l e s s t h a n 19 y e a r s o f age on t h e d a t e s c h o o l opens s h a l l be e n t i t l e d t o a d m i s s i o n t o t h e e l e m e n t a r y , j u n i o r and s e n i o r h i g h s c h o o l s . "(c) I f a k i n d e r g a r t e n i s e s t a b l i s h e d and m a i n t a i n e d , c h i l d r e n f r o m f i v e t o e i g h t y e a r s o f age may be a d m i t t e d on s u c h t e r m s and c o n d i t i o n s as t h e c i t y b o a r d o f e d u c a t i o n may p r e s c r i b e . " (Emphasis added.) In support members f i l e d , of t h e i r summary-judgment m o t i o n , the board among o t h e r t h i n g s , an a f f i d a v i t s i g n e d by Kendy B e h r e n d s . I n p e r t i n e n t p a r t , t h a t a f f i d a v i t states: "2. I was t h e S u p e r i n t e n d e n t o f t h e F l o r e n c e C i t y B o a r d o f E d u c a t i o n ('the B o a r d ' ) f r o m J a n u a r y 2001 through June 2010. Prior to becoming S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , I was e m p l o y e d by t h e B o a r d as an A s s i s t a n t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t f r o m 1999 t o J a n u a r y 2001. P r i o r t o b e c o m i n g A s s i s t a n t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , I was employed by the Board as Federal Programs C o o r d i n a t o r f r o m 1993 t o 1999. " "4. T h r o u g h my s e r v i c e f o r t h e B o a r d as F e d e r a l P r o g r a m s C o o r d i n a t o r , A s s i s t a n t S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , and S u p e r i n t e n d e n t , I became k n o w l e d g e a b l e a b o u t t h e E a r l y Head S t a r t and Head S t a r t p r o g r a m s . " "6. Head S t a r t i s a f e d e r a l l y f u n d e d p r o g r a m d e s i g n e d t o a s s i s t u n d e r p r i v i l e g e d 3 and 4 y e a r o l d children and their families with academic preparedness b e f o r e the c h i l d r e n begin s c h o o l . E a r l y Head S t a r t i s a f e d e r a l l y f u n d e d p r o g r a m where e m p l o y e e s go t o t h e homes o f e l i g i b l e c h i l d r e n ages 10 Dr. 2110422 0-3 a n d p r o v i d e s e r v i c e s Head S t a r t p r o g r a m . similar t o those i n the "7. Head Start and E a r l y Head Start are a d m i n i s t e r e d b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d Human Services. The D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d Human Services issues grants to local agencies to administer t h e Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head Start p r o g r a m s l o c a l l y . The D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d Human S e r v i c e s i s s u e s r e g u l a t i o n s w h i c h g o v e r n t h e Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t p r o g r a m s . F o r i n s t a n c e , these regulations require that decisions a f f e c t i n g a l o c a l Head S t a r t o r E a r l y H e a d S t a r t p r o g r a m be approved by a P o l i c y C o u n c i l which i s comprised o f p a r e n t s a n d community l e a d e r s . "8. Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t a r e n o t K i n d e r g a r t e n t h r o u g h t w e l f t h g r a d e ('K-12') p r o g r a m s r e q u i r e d b y t h e S t a t e o f A l a b a m a . Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t a r e n o t g o v e r n e d o r f u n d e d b y t h e S t a t e B o a r d o f E d u c a t i o n . R a t h e r , Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t a r e f u n d e d b y a g r a n t f r o m t h e [ D e p a r t m e n t o f ] H e a t h a n d Human S e r v i c e s . The Head Start and E a r l y Head Start programs follow regulations p r o m u l g a t e d by t h e [Department o f ] H e a l t h a n d Human S e r v i c e s i n concert with i t s Atlanta office. "9. The d u t i e s o f t h e e m p l o y e e s i n t h e Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t p r o g r a m s a r e d i c t a t e d b y these f e d e r a l r e g u l a t i o n s . "10. P r i o r t o 1997, t h e Community A c t i o n A g e n c y o f N o r t h w e s t A l a b a m a ('Community A c t i o n A g e n c y ' ) a d m i n i s t e r e d t h e Head S t a r t g r a n t . D u r i n g t h i s t i m e , t h e B o a r d a l l o w e d Community A c t i o n A g e n c y t o u s e t h e Handy Head S t a r t C e n t e r f o r t h e Head S t a r t p r o g r a m . "11. A f t e r t h e B o a r d r e c e i v e d t h e Head S t a r t grant, i t continued to administer t h e Head S t a r t p r o g r a m a t t h e Handy Head S t a r t C e n t e r . However, t h e r e a r e a few Head S t a r t c l a s s e s i n t h e b u i l d i n g s 11 2110422 w h i c h a l s o c o n t a i n Weeden Harlan Elementary School. Elementary School and "12. W h i l e t h e B o a r d ' s K-12 s c h o o l s o n l y s e r v e t h e c h i l d r e n i n t h e c i t y o f F l o r e n c e , t h e Head S t a r t and E a r l y Head S t a r t p r o g r a m s s e r v e a p p r o x i m a t e l y 280 eligible c h i l d r e n , a g e s 0-4, i n L a u d e r d a l e County. "13. O t h e r t h a n t h r e e i n s t r u c t o r s who r e c e i v e a supplement from t h e O f f i c e o f School R e a d i n e s s ('OSR'), t h e i n s t r u c t o r s i n t h e E a r l y Head S t a r t a n d t h e Head S t a r t p r o g r a m s a r e n o t r e q u i r e d t o be c e r t i f i e d b y t h e S t a t e . T e a c h e r s i n K-12 must be c e r t i f i e d by t h e S t a t e . [ 3 ] "14. Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t p r o g r a m s a r e g o v e r n e d d i f f e r e n t l y t h a n K-12. Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t a r e g o v e r n e d i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h [Department of] Health and Human Services regulations a n d d e c i s i o n s must be a p p r o v e d b y a P o l i c y C o u n c i l . Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t a r e not governed by t h e S t a t e Department o f E d u c a t i o n . K-12 s c h o o l s , on t h e o t h e r h a n d , a r e r e g u l a t e d b y the Alabama S t a t e Department o f E d u c a t i o n . "15. As Head S t a r t H e a l t h and Data Entry C o o r d i n a t o r , D i a n a M a s s e y ' s j o b p e r f o r m a n c e was r e v i e w e d p u r s u a n t t o a M o n i t o r i n g and P r o t o c o l Guide d e v e l o p e d b y t h e D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d Human S e r v i c e s . The M o n i t o r i n g a n d P r o t o c o l G u i d e i s b a s e d on f e d e r a l r e g u l a t i o n s a n d s t a n d a r d s w h i c h g o v e r n t h e Head S t a r t p r o g r a m . ... " (Emphasis added.) The b o a r d members a l s o filed an a f f i d a v i t s i g n e d by Dr. The Office of School Readiness administers p r e k i n d e r g a r t e n p r o g r a m . See § 26-24-23, A l a . Code 1975. 3 12 a 2110422 J a n e t Womack, who h a s b e e n t h e s u p e r i n t e n d e n t 2010, in support of their pertinent part that a f f i d a v i t summary-judgment since July 1, motion. In states: "6. The B o a r d owns a n d o p e r a t e s 7 s c h o o l s . I t operates three elementary schools, Forest Hills E l e m e n t a r y , Weeden E l e m e n t a r y a n d H a r l a n E l e m e n t a r y . The B o a r d h a s two m i d d l e s c h o o l s , F l o r e n c e M i d d l e S c h o o l a n d H i b b e t t M i d d l e S c h o o l . The B o a r d a l s o o p e r a t e s t h e F l o r e n c e Freshman C e n t e r and F l o r e n c e High School. "7. The B o a r d a l s o owns t h e Handy Head S t a r t F a m i l y S e r v i c e C e n t e r ('Handy Head S t a r t C e n t e r ' ) . The Handy Head S t a r t C e n t e r was an e l e m e n t a r y s c h o o l u n t i l 1972. Now, i t i s a f a m i l y s e r v i c e c e n t e r w h i c h h o u s e s t h e L a u d e r d a l e C o u n t y Head S t a r t a n d E a r l y Head S t a r t p r o g r a m s . "8. The B o a r d r e c e i v e s g r a n t s f r o m t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s D e p a r t m e n t o f H e a l t h a n d Human S e r v i c e s t o a d m i n i s t e r t h e E a r l y Head S t a r t a n d Head S t a r t programs t o the c h i l d r e n of Lauderdale County. 9. The Head S t a r t p r o g r a m i s n o t a K i n d e r g a r t e n t h r o u g h t w e l f t h g r a d e ('K-12') p r o g r a m r e q u i r e d b y t h e S t a t e o f A l a b a m a . Head S t a r t i s n o t g o v e r n e d o r f u n d e d by t h e S t a t e B o a r d o f E d u c a t i o n . R a t h e r , Head S t a r t i s funded by a g r a n t from t h e [Department o f ] H e a t h a n d Human S e r v i c e s . The Head S t a r t p r o g r a m f o l l o w s r e g u l a t i o n s p r o m u l g a t e d by t h e Department o f H e a l t h and Human S e r v i c e s . " (Emphasis added.) In motion, opposition to the board members' summary-judgment M a s s e y f i l e d , among o t h e r t h i n g s , an a f f i d a v i t by h e r . I n p e r t i n e n t p a r t , t h a t a f f i d a v i t 13 states: signed 2110422 "16. Handy Head S t a r t s e r v e s Head S t a r t c h i l d r e n who a r e P r e - K / H e a d S t a r t . I n a d d i t i o n , Head S t a r t children with special needs and F l o r e n c e City c h i l d r e n t h a t do n o t q u a l i f y f o r Head S t a r t a n d a r e not age a p p r o p r i a t e f o r the s c h o o l system are s e r v e d . The S t a t e [ O f f i c e of School Readiness ] c h i l d r e n a r e a l s o a t Handy S c h o o l . Non-Head S t a r t c h i l d r e n a r e r e f e r r e d t o as 'community c h i l d r e n . ' W h i l e a t Handy I was c a l l e d upon a n d r e q u i r e d t o treat 'community c h i l d r e n , ' [Office of School R e a d i n e s s ] s t u d e n t s a n d c h i l d r e n w i t h s p e c i a l needs who a r e n o t e l i g i b l e f o r Head S t a r t . " 4 (Emphasis added.) The p l a i n l a n g u a g e o f § 16-22-16 r e q u i r e s of s c h o o l nurses i n l o c a l p u b l i c - s c h o o l that "amounts necessary t o meet the t h e employment systems and p r o v i d e s requirements of this s e c t i o n s h a l l be a p p r o p r i a t e d i n t h e a n n u a l b u d g e t a c t f o r t h e public to schools." establish Section 16-11-16 g r a n t s t h e b o a r d and m a i n t a i n a system of p u b l i c authority schools s e r v e c h i l d r e n i n k i n d e r g a r t e n a n d i n g r a d e s 1 t h r o u g h 12 12"). I t i s undisputed that Head S t a r t a l l the c h i l d r e n that ("K- s e r v e d b y Handy a r e u n d e r t h e age o f 5, w h i c h i s t h e minimum age f o r a c h i l d t o e n t e r k i n d e r g a r t e n , see § 1 6 - 1 1 - 1 6 ( c ) , and t h a t Handy Head S t a r t d o e s n o t s e r v e c h i l d r e n i n K-12. M o r e o v e r , i t is undisputed that 4 no f u n d s were a p p r o p r i a t e d S e e s u p r a n o t e 3. 14 for a school- 2110422 n u r s e p o s i t i o n a t Handy Head S t a r t i n t h e a n n u a l b u d g e t a c t s for the public s c h o o l s . Thus, S t a r t i s n o t a p u b l i c K-12 of the local neither § conclude s c h o o l and, public-school Consequently, we t h a t Handy Head t h e r e f o r e , i s not p a r t system i n the 16-22-16 nor City the of F l o r e n c e . minimum-salary s c h e d u l e s a p p l y t o Handy Head S t a r t . M o r e o v e r , b e c a u s e n e i t h e r § 16-22-16 n o r the minimum-salary Head S t a r t , M a s s e y was schedules apply n o t e n t i t l e d t o be p a i d i n to Handy accordance w i t h t h e m i n i m u m - s a l a r y s c h e d u l e s w h i l e she s e r v e d as t h e Head S t a r t H e a l t h and D a t a E n t r y C o o r d i n a t o r a t Handy Head Massey accordance says, argues with the that she was minimum-salary the State Superintendent d a t e d A u g u s t 26, entitled to schedules be paid because, of Education i s s u e d a 2008, i n w h i c h he Start. " [ T ] h e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n ' s p o s i t i o n on p a y i n g n u r s e s a l a r i e s i s as f o l l o w s : 15 she letter stated: "'Any l i c e n s e d n u r s e e m p l o y e d by a l o c a l b o a r d o f e d u c a t i o n i n A l a b a m a s h o u l d be p a i d , a t a minimum, t h e amount l i s t e d i n t h e F [ i s c a l ] Y [ e a r ] 2009 E d u c a t i o n B u d g e t . A p e r s o n p e r f o r m i n g LPN [ L i c e n s e d P r a c t i c a l N u r s e ] d u t i e s and h i r e d f o r s u c h a p o s i t i o n s h o u l d be p a i d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e N u r s e S a l a r y M a t r i x f o r LPNs. A p e r s o n p e r f o r m i n g RN [ R e g i s t e r e d N u r s e ] d u t i e s and h i r e d f o r s u c h a p o s i t i o n s h o u l d be p a i d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e N u r s e S a l a r y M a t r i x f o r RNs " in 2110422 However, t h e S t a t e D e p a r t m e n t o f E d u c a t i o n i s responsible for "the d i r e c t i o n and s u p e r v i s i o n o f p u b l i c k i n d e r g a r t e n through t w e l f t h g r a d e s c h o o l s . " A l a b a m a A d m i n i s t r a t i v e Code ( S t a t e Bd. of E d u c a t i o n ) , R u l e 2 9 0 - 0 1 0 - 0 1 0 - . 0 1 . Handy Head S t a r t i s n o t a p u b l i c K-12 s c h o o l . C o n s e q u e n t l y , t h e p o l i c i e s o f t h e S t a t e Department o f E d u c a t i o n therefore, Health do do n o t a p p l y t o Handy Head S t a r t and, not apply t o Massey's s e r v i c e and D a t a E n t r y C o o r d i n a t o r Moreover, children because i n K-12 Handy as Head a t Handy Head Head Start Start. does and i s n o t p a r t o f t h e l o c a l Start not serve public-school s y s t e m i n t h e C i t y o f F l o r e n c e , M a s s e y was n o t e n t i t l e d t o be paid i n accordance w i t h served as Head t h e K-12 Start Health s a l a r y schedule and Data Entry while Coordinator she at Handy Head S t a r t . A c c o r d i n g l y , we a f f i r m t h e summary j u d g m e n t with respect t o Massey's c l a i m s seeking t o compel t h e b o a r d members t o p a y h e r t h e c l a i m e d b a c k p a y a n d b e n e f i t s . AFFIRMED. Thompson, concur. P . J . , and Pittman, 16 Thomas, and Moore, J J . ,

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