Burks v. Zeanah

This matter arises from a petition for writ of mandamus to compel respondent judge to vacate a judgment. The original judgment was entered in favor of the Lawrence County School Board in an action in which the petitioner was a named defendant, but was never served with notice of the proceeding.

On April 27, 1973, petitioner, a tenured teacher, received a letter from the Superintendent of Education of Lawrence County. The letter advised petitioner that her “contract as principal” would not be renewed for the 1973-1974 school year.

On May 21, 1973, petitioner received a second letter from the…