Lee v. Paulsen

The plaintiff teacher brought this defamation action against the defendants who are school officials and school board members. The trial court granted defendants’ motion for an involuntary nonsuit upon the ground that the publication was absolutely privileged.

The plaintiff was a nontenured teacher. He was notified his contract was not going to be renewed. Plaintiff’s attorney wrote the school district’s attorney asking to be provided with the specific reasons for the nonrenewal of the contract and for a public hearing. The district’s attorney replied by letter furnishing the specific reasons.…