Bognoli, Maruzella

Applicant Maruzella Bognoli, a school psychologist, sought reconsideration of a December 18, 2025 Minutes of Hearing (served January 2, 2026) in which the PWCJ took the matter off calendar, finding no petition for change of venue on file and no good cause to change venue. The Appeals Board dismissed the petition as one for reconsideration because the order taking the matter off calendar was an interlocutory, non-final decision, but treated it as a petition for removal and granted removal. The Board disagreed with the PWCJ's conclusion that applicant failed to file a venue petition under section 5501.6 and that defendant was deprived of due process, finding instead that applicant's informal pleadings (including a DOR filed January 10, 2025 requesting venue change) provided adequate notice, and that defendant in fact opposed the venue change on the record on September 15, 2025. The Board rescinded the order taking the matter off calendar and returned the matter to the trial level so the PWCJ could set the matter for trial on the change of venue issue with all parties afforded an opportunity to make a record.