Grand Prairie Independent School District v. Vaughan

This is a summary judgment case. In May 1986, Joe E. Vaughan entered into a contract for a teaching position for the 1986-87 school year with Grand Prairie Independent School District that required him to file with the Personnel Director all certificates mandated under state law “either before the opening of school if appropriate and/or before the first payroll check is issued.” The contract further provided that failure to file these certificates within the prescribed time period would render the contract void. Under state law, Vaughan was required to file a certificate showing he had passed…