Chicago Board of Education v. Smith

The issue in this case centers on whether the proper procedures were observed in the dismissal of respondent Vashti Smith. Smith, a teacher in the Chicago public schools since 1969, was dismissed near the end of the 1990-91 school year. During that year, Smith’s principal, Robert A. Kellberg, observed deficiencies in her teaching performance which resulted, on March 6, 1991, in his serving her with an "E-3” notice, informing her that her performance was unsatisfactory.

Some of the deficiencies listed in the "E-3” notice included: failure to record grades in her gradebook; failure to follow the…