Matter of Biondo v. New York City Bd. of Educ., 56 N.Y.2d 971 (1982)

For a determination to be final and trigger the statute of limitations for an Article 78 proceeding, it must be clear that the petitioner seeking review has been aggrieved by it.

Summary

This case concerns the statute of limitations for Article 78 proceedings in New York. The petitioner, Biondo, was terminated from his position with the New York City Board of Education due to issues with his teaching license. He argued that the statute of limitations should not bar his claim because of misstatements regarding his license and his attempts to seek reconsideration and file a grievance. The Court of Appeals held that the statute of limitations began to run when Biondo was initially informed of his termination and that his subsequent actions did not toll or revive the limitations period. The Court emphasized that the key inquiry is when the petitioner was clearly aggrieved by the administrative determination.

Facts

Biondo’s employment with the New York City Board of Education was based on a teaching license he obtained in 1972.

On April 21, 1976, Biondo was informed that his services were being terminated because he did not meet the requirements of his 1972 license.

Biondo directed correspondence to the respondents, which the court viewed as, at most, a request for reconsideration.

Biondo also attempted to invoke a grievance proceeding under the United Federation of Teachers collective bargaining agreement, but it was determined that this avenue was not available to him.

Procedural History

Biondo commenced an Article 78 proceeding to challenge his termination.

The lower courts dismissed the proceeding as time-barred.

The Court of Appeals affirmed the dismissal, holding that the four-month statute of limitations had expired.

Issue(s)

Whether the four-month statute of limitations for commencing an Article 78 proceeding began to run when Biondo was initially notified of his termination based on issues with his teaching license.

Whether respondents’ misstatements and subsequent clarification concerning petitioner’s 1973 license should be viewed as relevant to respondents’ decision, in 1976 to rescind petitioner’s 1972 license and terminate his services.

Whether Biondo’s correspondence, viewed as a request for reconsideration, tolled or revived the statute of limitations.

Whether Biondo’s attempt to invoke a grievance proceeding tolled the statute of limitations.

Holding

1. No, because the statute of limitations begins to run when the petitioner is clearly aggrieved by the determination being challenged.

2. No, Inasmuch as petitioner’s appointment was based on his 1972 license, respondents’ misstatements and subsequent clarification concerning petitioner’s 1973 license cannot be viewed as relevant to respondents’ decision, in 1976 to rescind petitioner’s 1972 license and terminate his services.

3. No, because a request for reconsideration does not toll or revive the statute of limitations.

4. No, because the invocation of a grievance proceeding that is ultimately deemed unavailable does not toll the statute of limitations.

Court’s Reasoning

The Court relied on CPLR 217, which states that an Article 78 proceeding must be commenced within four months after the determination becomes final and binding.

The Court stated, “For a determination to be final it must be clear that the petitioner seeking review has been aggrieved by it.” Matter of Martin v Ronan, 44 NY2d 374, 380.

The Court reasoned that Biondo was clearly aggrieved when he was informed of his termination on April 21, 1976. Therefore, the statute of limitations began to run from that date.

The Court further reasoned that the Board of Education’s alleged misstatements and subsequent clarifications regarding Biondo’s 1973 license did not affect the initial determination to terminate him based on his 1972 license.

The Court cited Matter of De Milio v Borghard, 55 NY2d 216, in support of its holding that a request for reconsideration does not toll or revive the statute of limitations.

The Court also held that Biondo’s attempt to invoke a grievance proceeding, which was ultimately deemed unavailable under the collective bargaining agreement, did not toll the statute of limitations.