Board of Public Education of the School District v. Thomas

Opinion by

Judge Blatt,

In this case the Board of Public Education of the School District of Pittsburgh (Board) has appealed *492from a decision of the Secretary of Education (Secretary) reinstating Eleanora Thomas (respondent) to her position as training specialist. Three issues are raised by the Board: did the Secretary improperly consider an issue not raised in the respondent’s petition for appeal; was the Secretary justified in finding that the respondent’s demotion was arbitrary; and may the Secretary reinstate an employee to a position in a department which has been abolished?

The respondent…