Jefferson

This appeal is from a judgment denying appellant Henry Jefferson’s petition for peremptory writ of mandate in which he sought reinstatement to his position as a principal in Compton Unified School District, respondent (District). The District reassigned appellant from principal to classroom teacher.

At the time of the events leading to this action, appellant had been employed by the District since 1965, including 13 years as an elementary school principal and 5 years as the principal of Centennial High School. On May 26, 1988, appellant was suspended from his duties by the District’s superintendent, Ted Kimbrough. On June 16, 1988, the superintendent sent appellant a letter informing him of Kimbrough’s decision to recommend to the board of trustees that appellant be reassigned as a classroom teacher. The letter also contained a statement of charges. This statement accused appellant of “1. Poor administrative judgment that ranges from [sic] [f] 2. Willful conduct in knowingly and repeatedly violating District rules and policies and State laws; 3. Immoral conduct and dishonesty[.]” There followed a number of factual assertions in support of the charges, including:…