Grounds v. Tolar Independent School District

OPINION

CORNYN, Justice.

In this case we consider whether the legislature conferred upon public-school teachers in Texas a constitutionally protected property interest1 by virtue of the Term Contract Nonrenewal Act (TCNA). Tex. Educ.Code §§ 21-201-211. For the reasons set out below, we hold that the legislature did grant teachers a property interest. We, therefore, reverse the court of appeals’ judgment and remand this cause to that court for consideration of points of error relating to damages and attorney’s fees not previously addressed.

I

Petitioner, Gary Grounds, was a teacher and a coach for…