SUPERIOR COURT of the STATE OF DELAWARE
Susan C. Del Pesco JUDGE
Submitted: November 24, 2004 Decided: January 25, 2005
Shyra L. Dennis
Karen V. Sullivan, Esquire
Oberly, Jennings & Rhodunda, P.A.
Mary Page Bailey, Esquire
Department of Justice Carvel State Building, 6th Floor
Re: Shyra L. Dennis, Appellant-Claimant Below v. Kingswood Community Center, Appellee-Employer Below
and Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board - Civil
Action No. 04A-03-013 SCD Upon appeal from the decision of the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board
denying certain unemployment benefits--AFFIRMED
Dear Counsel:
On or about November 30, 2003, Claimant Shyra L. Dennis ("Dennis") filed a claim with the Department
of Labor, Division of Unemployment Insurance, seeking unemployment compensation benefits pursuant to
19 Del. C. $ 3301 et seq. On December 11, 2003, a Claims Deputy determined Dennis was disqualified from the
receipt of benefits. On December 19, 2003, Dennis appealed the Claims Deputy's determination.
A hearing was held before a Referee on January 8, 2004. The Referee found that Dennis voluntarily
quit her employment without good cause and was disqualified for receipt of unemployment compensation benefits.
On January 16, 2004, Dennis appealed the Referee's decision to the Unemployment Insurance Appeal Board
("Board"). The Board held a hearing on February 11, 2004. During the hearing, Dennis again testified
that she voluntarily quit. Dennis further admitted that Kingswood has an appeal process for employee
grievances and that she quit prior to pursuing the employee grievance appeal process. The Board affirmed
the Referee's decision finding that by failing to exhaust her administrative remedies, Dennis had voluntarily
quit without good cause.
On March 29, 2004, Dennis filed this appeal. Dennis filed a document entitled "Opening Brief" on July 13, 2004.
Kingswood filed a response August 4, 2004. No reply brief has been filed.
This Court has limited appellate review of a decision from an administrative agency. On appeal, this Court
determines whether the agency's decision is supported by substantial evidence and is free from legal error.1
Substantial evidence is such relevant evidence that a reasonable mind would accept it as adequate to support
a conclusion.2 This Court does not act as the trier of fact nor does it have authority to weigh the 1Devine v. Advanced Power Control, Inc., 663 A.2d 1205, 1209 (Del. Super. 1995) (citing General Motors Corp. v. Freeman, 164 A.2d 686, 688 (Del. 1960); Johnson v. Chrysler Corp., 213 A.2d 64, 66 (Del. 1965); General Motors Corp. v. Jarrell, 493 A.2d 978, 980 (Del. Super. 1985)).
evidence, weigh issues of credibility, or make factual conclusions.3 Therefore, given an agency's specialized
competence, this Court merely reviews whether the findings made by that agency are adequately supported by the
evidence.4
I find there is sufficient evidence in the record to support the Board's finding that Dennis voluntarily left
her work without good cause attributable to the work.5 The Board's Decision is supported by substantial evidence,
the testimony of the claimant herself. The Decision of the Board is AFFIRMED.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
Very truly yours,
Susan C. Del Pesco Original to Prothonotary
2 Oceanport Ind. v. Wilmington Stevedores, 636 A.2d 892, 899 (Del. 1994); Battista v. Chrysler Corp., 517 A.2d 295, 297 (Del. Super. 1986). 3 Johnson, 213 A.2d at 66.