CPLR 7511 Review of Compulsory Arbitration Under the Education Law

The First Department explained and applied the principles of a CPLR 7511 review of a hearing officer’s determination after compulsory arbitration pursuant to the Education Law. The case concerned allegations of inappropriate touching of students by a tenured school librarian.  In affirming the hearing officer’s findings and penalty, the Court noted that “ ‘ where the parties have submitted to compulsory arbitration, judicial scrutiny is stricter than that for a determination rendered where the parties have submitted to voluntary arbitration’ … . [T]he determination must be in accord with due process and supported by adequate evidence, and must also be rational and satisfy the arbitrary and capricious standards of CPLR article 78’ …”.  In re Ash v New York City Board/Dept of Education, 8655, 108528/10 1st Dept. 3-5-13