Tatter v. Board of Education

Louis G. Tatter appeals from an adverse judgment in a suit brought by him under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 and several pendent state law claims. The district court, The Honorable Edward J. Devitt, held that Tatter had no property interest that is protected by the due process clause.1 We affirm.

In August 1977 Tatter, an experienced school administrator, was hired by the Board of Education as superintendent for School District No. 306 in LaPorte, Minnesota. Tatter and the Board signed a one-year contract that expired in August 1978. During that year, Tatter was a probationary employee.

In its January…