[Federal Register: August 11, 1998 (Volume 63, Number 154)] [Notices] [Page 42834-42835] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr11au98-71] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Arbitration Panel Decision Under the Randolph-Sheppard Act AGENCY: Department of Education. ACTION: Notice of arbitration panel decision under the Randolph- Sheppard Act. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that on March 31, 1998, an arbitration panel rendered a decision in the matter of Herbert E. Brown v. Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired (Docket No. R-S-/97-6). This panel was convened by the U.S. Department of Education pursuant to 20 U.S.C. 107d-1(a), upon receipt of a complaint filed by petitioner, Herbert E. Brown. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A copy of the full text of the arbitration panel decision may be obtained from George F. Arsnow, U.S. Department of Education, 600 Independence Advance, S.W., Room 3230, Mary E. Switzer Building, Washington, DC 20202-2738. Telephone: (202) 205-9317. Individuals who use a telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD) may call the TDD number at (202) 205-8298. Individuals with disabilities may obtain this document in an alternate format (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, or computer diskette) on request to the contact person listed in the preceding paragraph. Electronic Access to This Document Anyone may also view this document, as well as all other Department of Education documents published in the Federal Register, in text or portable document format (pdf) on the World Wide Web at either of the following sites: http://ocfo.ed.gov/fedreg.htm http://www.ed.gov/news.html To use the pdf you must have the Adobe Acrobat Reader Program with Search, [[Page 42835]] which is available free at either of the previous sites. If you have questions about using the pdf, call the U.S. Government Printing Office toll free at 1-888-293-6498. Anyone may also view these documents in text copy only on an electronic bulletin board of the Department. Telephone: (202) 219-1511 or, toll free, 1-800-222-4922. The documents are located under Option G-Files/Announcements, Bulletins and Press Releases. Note: The official version of this document is the document published in the Federal Register. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Randolph-Sheppard Act (20 U.S.C. 107d-2(c)) (the Act), the Secretary publishes in the Federal Register a synopsis of each arbitration panel decision affecting the administration of vending facilities on Federal and other property. Background Complainant Herbert E. Brown, a blind vendor, operated a snack bar facility with vending machines at the headquarters of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) in Columbus, Ohio from 1989 until his removal from the facility in January 1995. This dispute concerns complainant's removal as the manager of the ODNR snack bar vending facility. In December 1994, Mr. Brown requested and received permission from the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission, Bureau of Services for the Visually Impaired, the State licensing agency (SLA), to take a vacation from December 20, 1994 to January 5, 1995 outside the State of Ohio. In accordance with the operator's agreement and the SLA's rules and regulations governing the Randolph-Sheppard Vending Facility Program, complainant designated his employee to operate the facility in his absence. Complainant did not leave a telephone number where he could be reached during his vacation with either his employee or the SLA. On December 21, 1994, complainant's employee fell and broke her leg en route to open the vending facility. The employee was hospitalized until January 2, 1995. A member of the SLA staff visited the employee in the hospital on December 21, 1994 and obtained the keys to the snack bar. On December 22, 1994, the SLA secured a substitute vendor to operate the vending machines that were a part of the facility. However, the over-the-counter food service of the snack bar remained closed. Mr. Brown learned on December 23 that his employee had broken her leg and was not operating the vending facility. Complainant thereafter attempted to reach the SLA staff but was unsuccessful. Complainant left a message with an SLA staff member that he was unable to return to Ohio due to illness. However, complainant again did not leave a telephone number where he could be reached. On January 4, 1995, the SLA took possession of the vending facility and prepared a closing inventory. Mr. Brown was not present, and, according to the closing inventory, he owed the SLA $621.15. On January 5, 1995, Mr. Brown returned to Ohio and met with the SLA staff. The staff provided complainant with written notification of his removal as manager of the vending facility and the termination of his operator's agreement. The SLA alleged that Mr. Brown had violated the SLA's rules and regulations and vendor operator's agreement by failing to have the facility open at specific times, failing to find an immediate replacement for the employee who had been hospitalized, not leaving a telephone number where complainant could be reached, and abandoning his facility. Complainant gave the SLA a handwritten note on January 5, 1995 contesting the closing inventory amount of $621.15. However, the SLA did not treat Mr. Brown's note as a first step in the grievance process under its rules and regulations, and it considered the matter closed. Pursuant to the SLA's rules and regulations, a vendor is ineligible to apply for operation of another vending facility if there is an outstanding closing inventory balance. Mr. Brown requested and received a State fair hearing on the issue of his removal from the ODNR vending facility and the termination of his operator's agreement. The hearing officer affirmed the SLA's decision to remove complainant and to terminate his operator's agreement. It was that decision that Mr. Brown sought to have reviewed by a Federal arbitration panel. A hearing was held on October 31, 1997. Arbitration Panel Decision The issues before the arbitrator panel were whether the actions by the SLA to remove Mr. Brown from managing his vending facility and to terminate his operator's agreement were in accordance with the Act, implementing regulations, and State rules and regulations. Regarding the issues of removal of complainant from his vending facility and termination of his operator's agreement, the panel was unanimous in finding that, given the unique facts and circumstances of the matter, the SLA's actions were improper. The panel concluded that, while complainant was not blameless in the matter, Mr. Brown had not abandoned his facility and so completely abrogated his duties as to merit removal and termination of his operator's agreement. The panel ruled that complainant should be reinstated to the first available vending facility in the Columbus, Ohio area, which is defined as Franklin County, Ohio. The panel declined to award Mr. Brown any monetary damages. The panel directed the SLA to immediately begin the grievance process permitting Mr. Brown to contest the closing inventory amount. The arbitration panel further directed that the closing inventory issue be resolved before Mr. Brown is reinstated to a vending facility in compliance with the panel's decision and award. The views and opinions expressed by the panel do not necessarily represent the views and opinions of the U.S. Department of Education. Dated: August 6, 1998. Judith E. Heumann, Assistant Secretary for Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. [FR Doc. 98-21542 Filed 8-10-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4000-01-M