Gilliam

Plaintiff and appellant Edward Gilliam appeals after the trial court denied his petition for writ of mandate (Code Civ. Proc., § 1085), seeking reinstatement as principal of Canyon Springs High School, a school administered by defendant and respondent Moreno Valley Unified School District (District). We affirm.

Facts

Plaintiff was hired as principal of Canyon Springs High School for the 1993-1994 academic year. This was plaintiff’s first employment by the District. He was therefore a probationary employee.

On March 11, 1994, the school board sent a letter to plaintiff notifying him that it had determined not to reelect him for the 1994-1995 school year. Thus, plaintiff’s employment would be terminated at the end of the 1993-1994 academic year.

In a separate letter, dated March 16, 1994, the District notified plaintiff that his assignment was transferred from principal of Canyon Springs High School “to the new assignment of Principal on Assignment.” The new assignment was to be effective as of March 16, 1994.

Plaintiff immediately reported to the District that he was sick. A letter from his doctor stated that plaintiff was disabled and would be unable to return to…