Spanner

George Spanner appeals from the denial of his petition for a writ of administrative mandamus, by which he sought reversal of his employer’s decision to impose permanent demotion as punishment for his misconduct. He claims the governing board of his employer, Rancho Santiago Community College District, should not have imposed a harsher punishment than recommended by the hearing officer without reviewing the evidentiary record. The trial court found the governing board did not abuse its discretion. We agree and affirm.

FACTS

George Spanner is a long-time classified employee of Rancho Santiago Community College District (District). In January 2002, Spanner was employed as the chief custodian, which was a supervisory position. Late that month, one of Spanner’s subordinates filed a complaint alleging that Spanner had discriminated against him by subjecting him to racial and ethnic slurs and vulgar language. The District placed Spanner on paid administrative leave while it investigated the complaint. On February 27, Spanner was notified that the complaint was “found to have merit.” He was immediately relieved of his supervisory duties and demoted to custodian. “However, you…