Gary Grounds, Petitioner v. Tolar Independent School District, Respondent

Summary

The Texas Supreme Court held that the Term Contract Nonrenewal Act creates a constitutionally protected property interest for public‑school teachers, that the district’s failure to give notice and a hearing violated Grounds’ due‑process rights, and therefore reversed the Court of Appeals and remanded for the lower court to address damages and attorney‑fee issues. Justice Hecht dissented and Justice Gonzalez concurred, noting that coaches lack such a property interest and raising questions about nominal damages.