State v. Erasmo Montalvo ( 2015 )

TEXAS COURT OF APPEALS, THIRD DISTRICT, AT AUSTIN
NO. 03-13-00370 -CV
The State Board for Educator Certification, Appellant
v.
Erasmo Montalvo, Appellee
FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF TRAVIS COUNTY, 200TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT
NO. D-1-GN-12-002991, HONORABLE TIM SULAK, JUDGE PRESIDING
MEMORANDUM OPINION
The State Board for Educator Certification appeals the district court’s judgment
reversing the Board’s decision revoking the teaching certificate of Erasmo Montalvo. The Texas
Education Agency (TEA), as the administrative arm of the Board, filed a petition with the State
Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) alleging that Montalvo was “unworthy to instruct or
supervise the youth of this state” and had violated the Educators’ Code of Ethics. The administrative
law judge (ALJ) found that the evidence failed to support the allegations and recommended that no
sanction be assessed against Montalvo. The Board issued a final decision finding Montalvo
unworthy to instruct and revoking his teaching certificate. Montalvo sought judicial review of the
Board’s decision. The district court reversed the decision and issued a permanent injunction
enjoining revocation pending resolution of any appeal. For the reasons that follow, we reverse the
district court’s judgment, dissolve the permanent injunction, and render judgment affirming the
Board’s decision.
FACTUAL AND PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND
Montalvo was an elementary physical education teacher and high school track and
field coach in the Rio Grande City Consolidated Independent School District. As high school track
coach, Montalvo sometimes gave the female athletes massages or rub downs before practices and
performed stretching exercises on them, including hamstring exercises.1 V.S. was a female high
school student on the track team coached by Montalvo. During the 2008 track season, V.S. suffered
a hamstring injury. V.S. did not see a trainer for her injury but underwent stretching and rub downs
by Montalvo and under his direction and ice baths and whirlpool therapy under his direction. After
graduating in 2008, V.S. told her college counselor that Montalvo had sexually assaulted her. The
counselor filed a complaint with the Starr County District Attorney’s office, which indicted
Montalvo on two counts of second-degree felony improper relationship between educator and
student. Following a jury trial, Montalvo was acquitted. In 2011, TEA opened a disciplinary
complaint against Montalvo and filed a petition with SOAH alleging that Montalvo is unworthy to
instruct or supervise the youth of this state and seeking to revoke his educator certificate. See
19 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 249.3(45) (State Bd. for Educator Certification, Definitions) (defining
“unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state” as “the determination that a person is unfit
1
The record reflects that hamstring stretches involve putting one hand on the athlete’s inner
thigh, pushing the athlete’s other leg up so that the legs come apart, and looking down into the
vicinity of the athlete’s groin.
2
to hold a [teaching] certificate . . . .”),2 .15(a)(4), (b)(2) (Disciplinary Action by State Board for
Educator Certification) (authorizing Board to revoke teaching certificate on satisfactory evidence that
the person is unworthy to instruct or to supervise youth of state).
The Board also alleged that Montalvo had violated Standards 1.7, 3.2, 3.5, and 3.6
of the Educator’s Code of Ethics. See id. §§ 247.2(1)(G) (Code of Ethics and Standard Practices for
Texas Educators) (requiring educator to comply with state regulations, board policies, and other state
and federal laws), (3)(B) (prohibiting educator from knowingly treating student in manner that
adversely affects or endangers student’s learning, physical or mental health, or safety), (3)(E)
(prohibiting educator from engaging in physical mistreatment, neglect, or abuse of student), (3)(F)
(prohibiting educator from soliciting or engaging in sexual conduct or romantic relationship with
student). The specific conduct alleged included Montalvo’s allowing V.S., both alone and with other
students, to use the Jacuzzi in the master bath of his home; asking V.S. to lie on the bed in his master
bedroom so he could massage her injured leg; engaging in sexual relations with V.S. on school
property; exchanging approximately 480 phone calls with V.S. over a four month period, including
many late at night; and engaging in inappropriate sexual contact with V.S. The ALJ found that there
was insufficient evidence to support a finding that Montalvo had committed the alleged Code of
Ethics violations and concluded that the findings of fact did not support a conclusion that he was
unworthy to instruct. Accordingly, the ALJ concluded that the Board was not authorized to
sanction Montalvo.
2
Unless otherwise indicated, all citations to 19 Tex. Admin. Code are to rules promulgated
by the Board and are to the versions in effect at the time of the conduct at issue.
3
The Board issued its Final Decision and Order revoking Montalvo’s teaching
certificate. It adopted all of the ALJ’s findings of fact and six of the conclusions of law without
change. It modified conclusions of law Nos. 7 and 8 and added a ninth conclusion of law.
Conclusion of law No. 7 was changed from concluding that the findings did not support a conclusion
that Montalvo is unworthy to instruct to a conclusion that, based on specified findings, Montalvo
exceeded the bounds of the proper educator-student relationship and is unworthy to instruct.
Conclusion of law No. 8 was changed from the conclusion that the Board is not authorized to take
disciplinary action against Montalvo to the conclusion that the Board is authorized to do so. The
Board added a ninth conclusion of law—that Montalvo’s certificate should be sanctioned.
After exhausting his administrative remedies, Montalvo sought injunctive relief from
and judicial review of the Board’s decision. The district court reversed the Board’s Final Decision
and Order and issued a permanent injunction, to remain in effect until resolution of any appeal,
enjoining the Board from treating as revoked or revoking Montalvo’s educator certificate. The
district court issued findings of fact and conclusions of law, including conclusions that the Board’s
decision was not supported by substantial evidence, was arbitrary and capricious, and was
characterized by a clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion. This appeal followed.
STANDARD OF REVIEW
We review a state agency’s decision under the “substantial evidence” standard. See
Tex. Gov’t Code § 2001.174. This standard requires that we reverse or remand a case for further
proceedings “if substantial rights of the appellant have been prejudiced because the administrative
findings, inferences, conclusions, or decisions are (A) in violation of a constitutional or statutory
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provision; (B) in excess of the agency’s statutory authority; (C) made through unlawful procedure;
(D) affected by other error of law; (E) not reasonably supported by substantial evidence considering
the reliable and probative evidence in the record as a whole; or (F) arbitrary or capricious or
characterized by abuse of discretion or clearly unwarranted exercise of discretion.” Id.
§ 2001.174(2). In reviewing fact-based determinations under this standard, we may not substitute
our judgment for that of the agency but rather must determine whether, considering the reliable and
probative evidence in the record as a whole, some reasonable basis exists in the record for the
agency’s action. See id. § 2001.174(2)(E); Texas Indus. Energy Consumers v. CenterPoint Energy
Hous. Elec., LLC, 324 S.W.3d 95, 105 n.60 (Tex. 2010). “Thus, the agency’s decision will be
sustained if the evidence is such that reasonable minds could have reached the conclusion the agency
must have reached in order to justify its action.” Texas Health Facilities Comm’n v. Charter
Med.-Dallas, Inc., 665 S.W.2d 446, 453 (Tex. 1984). We presume that the agency’s findings,
inferences, conclusions, and decisions are supported by substantial evidence, and the burden is on
the contestant to demonstrate otherwise. See Froemming v. Texas State Bd. of Dental Exam’rs,
380 S.W.3d 787, 790 (Tex. App.—Austin 2012, no pet.); Pierce v. Texas Racing Comm’n,
212 S.W.3d 745, 751 (Tex. App.—Austin 2006, pet. denied). We must affirm the agency’s findings
if they are supported by more than a scintilla of evidence. Mireles v. Texas Dep’t of Pub. Safety,
9 S.W.3d 128, 131 (Tex. 1999) (per curiam).
The parties’ issues also require us to construe applicable statutes and rules. Statutory
construction is a question of law that we review de novo. See Railroad Comm’n of Tex.
v. Texas Citizens for a Safe Future & Clean Water, 336 S.W.3d 619, 624 (Tex. 2011). Our
5
primary concern is the express statutory language. See Galbraith Eng’g Consultants, Inc.
v. Pochucha, 290 S.W.3d 863, 867 (Tex. 2009). We apply the plain meaning of the text unless a
different meaning is supplied by legislative definition or is apparent from the context or the plain
meaning leads to absurd results. Marks v. St. Luke’s Episcopal Hosp., 319 S.W.3d 658, 663 (Tex.
2010). We construe administrative rules in the same manner as statutes. TGS-NOPEC Geophysical
Co. v. Combs, 340 S.W.3d 432, 438 (Tex. 2011).
DISCUSSION
Substantial Evidence
In its first issue, the Board argues that the district court erred in failing to find
substantial evidence in the record to support its Final Decision and Order. We agree. The Board is
authorized to regulate educator conduct and issue sanctions. See Tex. Educ. Code §§ 21.031(a)
(authorizing Board to regulate all aspects of certification and standards of conduct of public school
educators), .041(b)(1) (requiring Board to propose rules providing for regulation of educators), (7)
(requiring Board to propose rules providing for disciplinary proceedings, including revocation of
educator certificate); 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 249.5(a)(3) (Purpose: Policy Governing Disciplinary
Proceedings) (one purpose of chapter 249 is to regulate and enforce standards of conduct of
educators). The Board has adopted and is charged with enforcing the Educators’ Code of Ethics and
may sanction educators for violations. See Tex. Educ. Code § 21.041(b)(8) (requiring Board to
adopt and enforce Code of Ethics); 19 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 247.1(c) (Board is solely responsible
for enforcing Code of Ethics for purposes related to certification disciplinary proceedings), .2 (Code
of Ethics), 249.5(a)(5) (one purpose of chapter 249 is to enforce Code of Ethics), 249.15(a)(4), (b)(3)
6
(authorizing Board to revoke certificate based on satisfactory evidence that educator has violated
Code of Ethics). In addition, the Board is authorized to sanction an educator if he is found to be
unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state. 19 Tex. Admin. Code § 249.15(a)(4), (b)(2)
(authorizing Board to revoke certificate based on satisfactory evidence that educator is unworthy to
instruct or supervise the youth of this state); see also id. §§ 247.1(d)(2) (a primary goal of Board is
to ensure educators are worthy to instruct or supervise youth of state), 249.5(a)(2) (one purpose
of chapter 249 is to ensure educators are worthy to instruct or supervise youth of state). At the
time relevant to this appeal, “[u]nworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state” was
defined as “the determination that a person is unfit to hold a [teaching] certificate . . . .” Id.
§ 249.3(45) (Definitions).
In its Final Decision and Order, the Board adopted the ALJ’s findings of fact. In
modifying conclusion of law No. 7 to conclude that Montalvo is unworthy to instruct, the Board
cited the following findings of fact, which Montalvo did not challenge:
11. District protocol required that injured students be sent to the trainer.
14. V.S. did not visit the trainer about her injury.
18. Following her injury, V.S. underwent stretching, rub downs, ice baths, and
whirlpool use under Mr. Montalvo’s direction.
20. Mr. Montalvo gave V.S., and other students, rub downs.
22. On two or three occasions, student athletes visited Mr. Montalvo’s home to
use his Jacuzzi in the master bath. The athletes wore sports bras or bathing
suit tops, and brief “bikers” shorts.
23. On one occasion, V.S. went alone to Mr. Montalvo’s house to use
the Jacuzzi.
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26. From February through June 2008, Mr. Montalvo engaged in approximately
480 phone calls with [V.S.] with over 80 of the calls placed after 10:00 p.m.
There was also testimony concerning these matters. The athletic director for the school district
testified that he believed it was not appropriate for a coach to allow a student athlete to use a Jacuzzi
in the master bath of his home and that more than 400 phone calls between a teacher and a student
was “a little excessive” and not appropriate. Similarly, the head athletic trainer at the high school
testified that it had always been school district policy to report injuries to the athletic trainer and that
Montalvo was not a licensed athletic trainer and could not practice athletic training. He stated that,
although he had never seen Montalvo stretch female athletes, at one point he talked to Montalvo
about stretching female athletes after two assistant coaches told him that it looked inappropriate. He
also stated that while it is fine for a coach to rub down an athlete before a competition, it is not
appropriate for a coach to massage or rub down an injured area as a form of therapy. He testified
that treating student injuries at a trainer’s home is “not an ethical thing to do” and “your house is an
inappropriate place to do treatment.” He also testified that there were whirlpools available at the
stadium field house for Montalvo to use at all times.
On this record, we conclude that there was substantial evidence to support the Board’s
conclusions that Montalvo was unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state, that the
Board was authorized to take disciplinary action against him, and that Montalvo’s educator
certificate should be sanctioned. See Tex. Admin. Code §§ 249.3(45), .15(a)(4), (b)(2); Texas Indus.
Energy Consumers, 324 S.W.3d at 105 n.60; Charter Med.-Dallas, Inc., 665 S.W.2d at 453.
Montalvo argues that the term “unworthy” is unconstitutionally vague and did not give him notice
8
that the conduct in which he was found to have engaged is proscribed. However, Montalvo neither
asserted a challenge to the rules containing the term at the SOAH hearing nor raised this complaint
in the district court, and he has therefore waived this argument. See Tex. R. App. P. 33.1.
Moreover, the term “unworthy to instruct” has been held to be “sufficiently definite” “in stating what
shall constitute a disqualification for holding a teacher’s certificate.” Marrs v. Matthews, 270 S.W.
586, 587 (Tex. Civ. App.—Texarkana 1925, writ ref’d).3 Faced with a challenge to the term on the
ground that it was “too vague and indefinite,” the Marrs court stated that the term means “lack of
‘worth’; the absence of those moral and mental qualities which are required to enable one to render
the service essential to the accomplishment of the object which the law has in view.” Id. at 588. The
court concluded that:
[d]ifferent minds might reach different conclusions as to what qualities of character
should render one unworthy to hold a certificate to teach. But there can be no
difference of opinion about the fact that an unworthy person should not be permitted
to teach in the public schools. What qualities, or lack of qualities, should render one
unworthy would be difficult for legislative enumeration. They are so numerous, and
their combinations so varied in different individuals, that a statute which undertakes
to be more specific would either be incomplete, or so inflexible as to defeat the ends
sought. In the very nature of the subject there must be lodged somewhere a personal
discretion for determining who are the “unworthy.”
3
At the time of the Marrs decision, the unworthy-to-instruct standard was contained in the
Texas Revised Civil Statutes 1911, article 2814, which authorized the state superintendent of schools
to cancel a certificate upon “satisfactory evidence” that the holder was “unworthy to
instruct the youth of this State.” See Act of Mar. 30, 1917, 35th Leg., R.S., ch. 157, sec. 1,
1917 Tex. Gen. Laws 366, 366. The quoted language was statutory until 1995 and still appears in
the Board’s regulations. See 19 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 247.1(d)(2), 249.3(59), 249.5(b)(2)(E),
249.15(b)(2) (2015).
9
Id. The court went on to observe that a certificate to teach in public school is a license granted by
the state that is accepted and held subject to then-existing and future laws providing for its forfeiture
and that by accepting the certificate, an educator impliedly agrees to submit to tribunals the state has
created for determining his fitness to continue to enjoy the privilege granted. Id. at 589. Though
these conclusions were reached some years ago, had Montalvo not waived this argument, we would
find them applicable today.
Montalvo also argues that none of the individual findings of fact shows “actual
wrongdoing” on his part and that the Board therefore had no authority to revoke his certificate.
Although he does not specify what he contends constitutes “actual wrongdoing,” Montalvo cites to
findings of fact that the evidence was insufficient to show that he violated the Code of Ethics
provisions as alleged by the Board. He also argues that his conduct did not violate any rules or
established policies and, at most, violated only protocol or guidelines. However, Rule 249.15
provides a basis for revocation independent of any violation of the Code of Ethics, and the definition
of “unworthy to instruct” includes no requirement that the educator violate any rule or policy. See
19 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 249.3(45), .15(a)(4), (b)(2); Marks, 319 S.W.3d at 663 (we apply plain
language of rule). Montalvo further contends that his conduct did not cross the bounds of a proper
educator-student relationship because nothing “improper” or of a sexual or romantic nature occurred.
But the plain language of Rule 249.15 does not require an “improper” event or actual harm, and it
is the duty of the Board to protect the safety and welfare of Texas schoolchildren, which includes
assessment of potential harm. See 19 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 247.1(d)(1) (a primary goal of board is
to protect safety and welfare of Texas schoolchildren), 249.5(a)(1) (one purpose of chapter 249 is
10
to protect safety and welfare of Texas schoolchildren); Marks, 319 S.W.3d at 663; see also Whalen
v. Rocksprings Ind. Sch. Dist., No. 065-R1B-284, 1985 TX Educ. Agency LEXIS 61, at *14–17
(Tex. Educ. Agency July 10, 1985) (discussing factors school district should consider in determining
whether teacher’s conduct is potentially harmful).
We are also unpersuaded by Montalvo’s argument that the unworthy-to-instruct
standard was somehow usurped by the enactment of the Code of Ethics, which did not exist at the
time of the Marrs decision. The Board is given broad discretion to carry out its duties to regulate
educators, including the discretion to determine who is unworthy to instruct. See Tex. Educ. Code
§§ 21.031(a), .041(a), (b)(1), (7), (8); 19 Tex. Admin. Code §§ 247.1(d)(2), .5(a)(2), .15(a), (b)(2);
see also Marrs, 270 S.W. at 588 (there can be no dispute that unworthy person should not be
permitted to teach, and nature of subject dictates discretion for determining “unworthy”). We agree
with the Board that, based on the totality of the evidence of Montalvo’s conduct, it was
reasonable—not arbitrary and capricious or an unwarranted exercise of discretion—for the Board
to conclude that Montalvo crossed the bounds of a proper educator-student relationship even in the
absence of any violations of the Code of Ethics or other rules or policies. See Tex. Gov’t Code
§ 2001.174(F); Texas Indus. Energy Consumers, 324 S.W.3d at 105 n.60; Charter Med.-Dallas, Inc.,
665 S.W.2d at 453; SWEPI LP v. Railroad Comm’n of Tex., 314 S.W.3d 253, 265 n.13 (Tex.
App.—Austin 2010, pet. denied) (concluding commission’s orders were not unwarranted exercise of
discretion where commission properly interpreted and applied applicable rule and interpretation was
reasonable); Judson Indep. Sch. Dist. v. Ruiz, No. 04-13-00706-CV, 2015 Tex. App. LEXIS 3055,
at *20 (Tex. App.—San Antonio Mar. 31, 2015, pet. filed) (mem. op.) (where school district’s
11
decision to terminate educator manifested rational connection to facts and reflected reasoned
decision making, decision was not arbitrary and capricious); see also Marrs, 270 S.W. at 588;
cf. State of Texas’ Agencies & Insts. of Higher Learning v. Public Util. Comm’n of Tex., 450 S.W.3d
615, 654 (Tex. App.—Austin 2014, pet. filed) (holding it was arbitrary and capricious for
commission to reach incongruous conclusions); Ford Motor Co. v. Motor Vehicle Bd.,
21 S.W.3d 744, 766 (Tex. App.—Austin 2000, pet. denied) (where board’s action was inconsistent
with regulatory scheme, it was unwarranted exercise of discretion). We therefore conclude that there
is more than a scintilla of evidence to support the Board’s decision to revoke Montalvo’s educator
certificate based on a determination that he was unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this
state. See Mireles, 9 S.W.3d at 131. We sustain the Board’s first issue.
Amendment of PFD
In its second issue, the Board argues that it properly amended the ALJ’s PFD. The
ALJ concluded that:
7. The foregoing Findings of Fact do not support a conclusion that Mr.
Montalvo is a person unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.
8. [The Board] is not authorized to take disciplinary action against Respondent’s
Texas Educator Certificate.
The Board modified these conclusions and added a ninth, as follows:
7. Based on Findings of Fact 11, 14, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 26, Respondent
exceeded the bounds of the proper educator–student relationship and is a
person unworthy to instruct or supervise the youth of this state.
12
8. [The Board] is authorized to take disciplinary action against Respondent’s
Texas Educator Certificate.
9. Respondent’s educator certificate should be sanctioned.
The Board contends that these changes were not arbitrary and capricious and that its changes were
reasonable given the findings of fact. Montalvo argues that the changes “fly in the face of the
Findings of Fact it adopted as its own.” Having concluded that it was reasonable for the Board to
determine that Montalvo crossed the bounds of the proper educator-student relationship and that
there was substantial evidence to support the Board’s decision that Montalvo is unworthy to instruct
and its order revoking his educator certificate, we also conclude that the Board’s changes to the
ALJ’s conclusions of law were not arbitrary or capricious. Cf. Public Util. Comm’n of Tex. v. Gulf
States Utils. Co., 809 S.W.2d 201, 211 (Tex. 1991) (“Agency decisions that are not supported by
substantial evidence are deemed arbitrary and capricious.”).
The Board also contends that its changes were made in compliance with section
2001.058 of the Administrative Procedure Act. See Tex. Gov’t Code § 2001.058. Section 2001.058
provides that a state agency may change an ALJ’s conclusion of law if it determines that the ALJ
misinterpreted or misapplied the applicable law and states in writing the specific reason and legal
basis for the change. See id. § 2001.058(e). In its Final Decision and Order, the Board stated that
the ALJ failed to appropriately interpret and apply Board policies and rules, specifically the policy
to ensure that educators are worthy to instruct and supervise the youth of the state, as articulated in
Rule 249.15(b)(2) and upheld in Marrs. The Board explained that protecting the safety and welfare
of Texas schoolchildren is a primary purpose of the Board, that educators must be held to the highest
13
standard, that an educator’s fitness is determined by all relevant conduct, not just criminal violations,
and that educators must understand the boundaries of the educator-student relationship that they are
trusted not to cross. The Board cited Montalvo’s conduct involving female students using his home
Jacuzzi, approximately 480 phone calls, rub downs, ice baths, and failure to send an injured athlete
to the trainer as conduct the Board considers to have crossed the bounds of the appropriate educator-
student relationship, making Montalvo not presently worthy to hold a Texas educator certificate.
Although Montalvo challenges the Board’s contention in its briefing that his “poor judgment”
rendered him unworthy to instruct, he does not argue that the Board’s Final Decision and Order does
not meet the requirements of section 2001.058(e). We conclude that the Board provided a specific
reason and legal basis for its modifications in compliance with section 2001.058(e). See id.;
Froemming, 380 S.W.3d at 793 (concluding that board’s explanation of how ALJ failed to apply or
interpret applicable law, rules, and policies met requirements of Board of Dental Examiners Rule
107.51(a)(1), which adopts requirements of section 2001.058(e)); Pierce, 212 S.W.3d at 751
(holding agency met requirements of section 2001.058(e) where it provided comprehensive
explanation). We sustain the Board’s second issue.
Permanent Injunction
In its fourth issue, the Board argues that the district court abused its discretion in
issuing a permanent injunction prohibiting the Board from revoking or treating as revoked
Montalvo’s educator certificate “until, in the case of any appeal taken by [the Board], a ruling from
the appellate court issues.” Because we reverse the district court’s judgment and render judgment
affirming the Board’s decision, we dissolve the permanent injunction. We therefore do not reach
14
the Board’s fourth issue.4 See Tex. R. App. P. 47.1 (opinions must be as brief as practicable while
addressing every issue raised and necessary for final disposition).5
CONCLUSION
We reverse the district court’s judgment, dissolve the permanent injunction ordered
by the district court, and render judgment affirming the Board’s Final Decision and Order.
__________________________________________
Melissa Goodwin, Justice
Before Justices Puryear, Goodwin, and Bourland
Reversed and Rendered
Filed: November 24, 2015
4
We also do not reach the Board’s third issue, in which it argues that its standard of
unworthy to instruct is not unconstitutionally vague. There is no indication in the record that this
issue was presented to the ALJ or to the district court, and the district court’s order does not include
a finding that the standard is unconstitutionally vague. Therefore, this matter is not before us. See
Tex. R. App. P. 33.1(a)(1) (complaint to trial court is prerequisite to presenting complaint for
appeal); Cantey Hanger, LLP v. Byrd, 467 S.W.3d 477, 484 n.9 (Tex. 2015) (in appeal of summary
judgment, where party did not move for summary judgment on plaintiffs’ claims, whether plaintiffs
raised fact issue as to elements of those claims was not before court).
5
All pending motions are dismissed as moot.
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