OPINION AND ORDER

SHIRA A. SCHEINDLIN, District Judge:

I. INTRODUCTION

Robert Grasson alleges that defendants1 terminated his pupil transportation contract without just cause, failed to provide him with notice and a hearing before doing so, and damaged his reputation by stating or implying that he was a pedophile.2 Grasson brings claims against the Board for breach of contract and, under section 1983, deprivation of his substantive and procedural due process rights; and against the individual defendants for deprivation of his due process rights and for various common law torts.3 Defendants now move for summary judgment on all claims. For the following reasons, defendants' motion is GRANTED in part and DENIED in part and the remaining state law claim is remanded to the Superior Court of Connecticut, Judicial District of New Haven.

II. BACKGROUND4

1. The Transportation Contract

On May 15, 2004, the Board and Grasson entered into a contract for the transportation of elementary and kindergarten school children in the Town of Orange.5 Section C of the contract provides that:

Grasson claims, but defendants dispute, that the contract was automatically renewable upon expiration.7

2. The Incident

On September 17, 2007, Grasson was driving three female kindergarten students from school to their homes.8 At some point Grasson had a conversation with one or more of the students on the bus during which he said that the bus was a "magic bus" that could turn into a house and asked whether the students could "keep a secret."9 However, Grasson claims that he has never initiated a conversation with a student by asking if he or she could keep a secret.10 According to Grasson, the bus he was driving in September 2007 had a unique appearance, which prompted children to ask him if it was a "magic bus," referring to a children's book and television series about a bus that transformed into different objects to take children on educational field trips.11

3. James's Investigation

Superintendent James spoke with one of the parents of the children on the day of the incident, and the parents of the other two children the following day.12 Coincidentally, James had attended a meeting with superintendents from nearby towns on September 18, 2007, where he "learned that one statement that nearly all child predators will initiate conversations with children is, `Can you keep a secret?'" and that "[i]f in later conversations, the child reports that s/he has kept the secret, contact often escalates."13 On September 19, 2007, based on his belief that Grasson worked for the Winkle Bus Company ("Winkle"), James asked Pullo to contact Lori Winkle to arrange for a substitute driver until the matter could be further investigated.14 Pullo said that there had been complaints about inappropriate comments on the bus, but did not elaborate.15 Within minutes of Pullo's call to Winkle, Grasson called James.16 James told Grasson that he had received complaints that Grasson had asked the students to keep a secret and told the students that the bus was a magic bus that turned into a house with various rooms.17 Grasson did not explain to James why he had engaged in the conversation with the kids.18 Grasson and James agreed to meet the next day.19

Grasson and James met on September 20, 2007, and three members of the Winkle family appeared at the meeting in support of Grasson.20 Grasson claims, but defendants dispute, that James "referred to [him] as a pedophile and talked about [him] in the context of priests and boy scout leaders who prey upon children."21 At the conclusion of the meeting, James suspended Grasson, with pay, pending a review and decision by the Board.22 James told Grasson that he would likely be recommending suspension or termination of the parties' contract.23 After the meeting on September 20, 2007, James spoke with the children's parents again and asked them if they would be willing to submit a statement in writing explaining what their children had told them.24 The parents agreed and submitted statements.25

4. The Board Meetings

On September 26, 2007, the Board held a special meeting to discuss Grasson's transportation contract and his future as a bus driver in the district.26 Neither Grasson nor his attorney were present at the special meeting, although Grasson admits that he had notice of the meeting.27 At the meeting, the Board discussed, in executive session, the parents' complaints, James's conversations with Grasson, and the Board's options under the contract.28 The Board adjourned the meeting so that it could discuss the matter with its attorneys.29

The Board met again on October 9, 2007.30 Neither Grasson nor his attorney were present,31 and Grasson had no notice of the meeting. The minute entry relating to Grasson's contract provides that:

The minutes indicate that the vote passed 9-0.33

On October 11, 2007, James sent Grasson "notice of the termination of the Contract."34 The Termination Letter states that:

The letter describes James's investigation, and asserts that during the telephone conversation on September 19, 2007, Grasson "admitted to having made inappropriate comments to students ..., including asking said students if they could, `keep a secret.'" It further states that "[b]ased on your inappropriate comments to students on or around September 17, 2007, the Board unanimously voted on October 9, 2007 to cancel the Contract, effective at the end of the ninety (90) day notice period, or January 10, 200[8]."

According to Grasson:

Following his termination, the Winkles, as well as the Amity school district, continue to permit Grasson to drive for them, despite knowing why his contract with the Board was cancelled.36

III. LEGAL STANDARDS

A. Summary Judgment

"Summary judgment is appropriate `only where, construing all the evidence in the light most favorable to the non-movant and drawing all reasonable inferences in that party's favor, there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and ... the movant is entitled to judgment as a matter of law.'"37 "A genuine dispute exists `if the evidence is such that a reasonable jury could return a verdict for the nonmoving party.'"38 "`A fact is material if it might affect the outcome of the suit under the governing law.'"39

"The burden is on the moving party to demonstrate that no genuine issue respecting any material fact exists."40 Nevertheless, to defeat a motion for summary judgment, the non-moving party "`must do more than simply show that there is some metaphysical doubt as to the material facts,'"41 and "`may not rely on conclusory allegations or unsubstantiated speculation.'"42

In deciding a motion for summary judgment, "[t]he role of the court is not to resolve disputed issues of fact but to assess whether there are any factual issues to be tried."43 "`Credibility determinations, the weighing of the evidence, and the drawing of legitimate inferences from the facts are jury functions, not those of a judge.'"44

Whether contract language is plain or ambiguous is to be determined by a court as a matter of law.45 When a moving party relies on contract language, he must prove that the language "is not susceptible to at least two fairly reasonable meanings."46 However, "[i]f the moving party cannot establish unambiguous contract language, a material issue of fact exists concerning the parties' intent, which is a question of fact, thereby rendering summary judgment inappropriate."47

IV. APPLICABLE LAW

A. Breach of Contract

Under Connecticut law, the elements of a breach of contract claim are: "(1) formation of an agreement; (2) performance by one party; (3) breach of the agreement; and (4) damages."48 "A contract is to be construed as a whole and all relevant provisions will be considered together."49 A contract "is to be construed according to what may be assumed to have been the understanding and intention of the parties."50

B. Section 1983

"To prevail on a claim under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, a plaintiff must allege (1) `that some person has deprived him of a federal right,' and (2) `that the person who has deprived him of that right acted under color of state ... law.'"51 Section 1983 "does not create a federal right or benefit; it simply provides a mechanism for enforcing a right or benefit established elsewhere."52 "The purpose of [section] 1983 is to deter state actors from using the badge of their authority to deprive individuals of their federally guaranteed rights and to provide relief to victims if such deterrence fails."53

A plaintiff asserting a section 1983 claim must show the defendant's "personal involvement ... in [an] alleged constitutional deprivation[]."54 "Because vicarious liability is inapplicable to ... [section] 1983 suits, a plaintiff must [prove] that each Government-official defendant, through the official's own individual actions, has violated the Constitution."55

C. Substantive and Procedural Due Process Claims

1. Substantive Due Process

"[T]he Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment embodies a substantive component that protects against certain government actions regardless of the fairness of the procedures used to implement them."56 To prevail on substantive due process claim, a plaintiff must prove that "(1) it had a valid property interest ...; and (2) `defendants infringed on that property right in an arbitrary or irrational manner.'"57 "[O]nly the most egregious official conduct can be said to be `arbitrary in the constitutional sense.'"58 Indeed, "for executive action to violate substantive due process, it must be `so egregious, so outrageous, that it may fairly be said to shock the contemporary conscience.'"59

2. Procedural Due Process

"Procedural due process requires that `a deprivation of life, liberty, or property be preceded by notice and opportunity for hearing appropriate to the nature of the case.'"60 To establish a procedural due process claim, a plaintiff must prove (1) he has a property or liberty interest protected by the Constitution61 and (2) that government deprived him of that interest without due process.62 Analysis of the second prong requires consideration of what process was due and whether the constitutional minimum was provided by the government.63

Notice must be "`reasonably calculated, under all the circumstances, to apprise interested parties of the pendency of the action and afford them an opportunity to present their objections.'"64 With respect to a hearing, the Supreme Court "consistently has held that some form of hearing is required before an individual is finally deprived of a property interest."65 For example, in the context of termination of a public employee, "[t]he pretermination process `need not be elaborate' or approach the level of a `full adversarial hearing.'"66 Nonetheless, "due process does require that before being terminated such an `employee be given oral or written notice of the charges against him, an explanation of the employer's evidence, and an opportunity to present his side of the story.'"67 Finally, a plaintiff cannot claim a procedural due process violation when the government provides procedural remedies and the plaintiff does not take advantage of those remedies.68

3. Stigma-Plus Claims

A "stigma-plus" claim is a subset of procedural due process. It is "brought for injury to one's reputation (the stigma) coupled with the deprivation of some `tangible interest' or property right (the plus), without adequate process."69 A stigma-plus claim has three elements: (1) statements by the government that call into question plaintiff's "good name, reputation, honor, or integrity" or "denigrate [his] competence as a professional and impugn [his] professional reputation in such a fashion as to effectively put a significant roadblock on [his] continued ability to practice [his] profession;" (2) that were public;70 and (3) that "were made concurrently in time to [his] dismissal from government employment."71

V. DISCUSSION

A. Breach of Contract

Grasson argues that the Board breached the transportation contract in three different ways: (1) terminating it without "just cause;" (2) suspending it in the absence of a "serious safety violation" or "material breach;" and (3) terminating it without first providing him with 90-days notice of intent to cancel.72 Defendants argue that under the contract's unambiguous terms and undisputed facts, the contract claim fails as a matter of law.

1. Just Cause

Defendants first claim that "a plain reading of the contract establishes that either party could cancel the contract so long as" 90-days written notice is provided.73 According to defendants, the "just cause" language in section C applies only to terminations that occur within the 90-day notice period.74 However, the contract provides that "[t]he Board of Education agrees that no Owner-Driver's contract will be cancelled except for just cause as voted by a majority of the" Board.75 Indeed, James's Termination Letter and the Board's Minutes both state that cancellation was based on a finding of just cause by the Board.76 Thus, I reject defendants' contention that Grasson's contract was cancelled without a finding of just cause.

Defendants' fallback argument is that even if just cause was required, Grasson's conduct constitutes just cause.77 That determination, however, presents a genuine dispute of material fact. The contract does not define just cause, and Grasson disputes certain aspects of the conversation he had with the children, including whether he initiated the conversation.78 According to Grasson, the unusual appearance of his bus prompted children to ask him if it was a "magic bus," based on the Magic School Bus children's book and television series.79 In addition, Grasson argues, and defendants do not dispute, that the Board did not have any written rules, policies, or regulations prohibiting a bus driver from speaking with students.80 In short, whether Grasson's admitted conduct — stating that the bus was a "magic bus" and asking whether the students "could keep a secret" — provided just cause to cancel the contract is a question for the trier of fact that cannot be resolved on summary judgment.81 Accordingly, defendants' motion for summary judgment on plaintiff's contract claim based on "just cause" is denied.

2. Material Breach

Defendants contend that the safety violation and material breach language are not relevant because they relate only to suspensions without pay, and Grasson was suspended with pay.82 While Grasson was suspended with pay from September 20, 2007 until the Board's vote on October 9, 2007, he did not receive compensation after the Board's vote, during the 90-day notice period.83 Once again, as with the Board's determination of just cause, the Board's determination to withhold payment during the 90-day notice period, raises disputed issues of fact. Accordingly, defendants' motion for summary judgment is denied on this claim.

3. Notice of Intent to Cancel

Finally, defendants argue that Grasson was given the required 90-day written notice in the October 11 Termination Letter, which provided that the cancellation is "`effective at the end of the ninety (90) day notice period, or January 10, 200[8].'"84 However, the contract provides that no contract will be terminated except for just cause as voted on by the Board "during said 90 day period."85 October 11, as it happens, is 91 days before January 10, and October 9 — the day of the Board vote — is 93 days before January 10. Thus, the vote fell outside the 90-day window and may be ineffective. On this basis alone, defendants' motion for summary judgment on the breach of contract claim must be denied.

B. Substantive Due Process

1. Grasson's Claim Is Not Supported by a Sufficient Interest

Courts have distinguished the rights or interests that provide the basis for substantive and procedural due process claims, and a far narrower range of such rights or interests are protected under the former. Substantive due process protections extend only to those interests that are "implicit in the concept of ordered liberty,"86 rights "so rooted in the traditions and conscience of our people as to be ranked as fundamental."87 Thus, "[w]hile property interests are protected by procedural due process even though the interest is derived from state law rather than the Constitution, substantive due process rights are created only by the Constitution."88

In essence, Grasson asserts that he had a property or liberty interest arising from his contract and a liberty interest in his continued employment as a bus operator.89 However, the Second Circuit has held that "state-law contractual rights, without more, are not worthy of substantive due process protection."90 Indeed, interests related to employment are generally not protected under substantive due process because they do not implicate fundamental rights, such as "the individual's freedom of choice with respect to certain basic matters of procreation, marriage, and family life."91

2. Defendants' Conduct Does Not Shock the Conscience

Moreover, even if the rights and interests asserted by Grasson were considered fundamental, "the defendants' alleged conduct in depriving him of that right [or interest] was not `so shocking, arbitrary, and egregious that the Due Process Clause would not countenance it even were it accompanied by full procedural protection.'"92 While a reasonable jury could find that the Board overreacted in deciding to terminate Grasson, no reasonable jury could find that the Board's conduct shocks the conscience under the Constitution.93 Accordingly, defendants' motion is granted as to Grasson's substantive due process claim.

C. Procedural Due Process

1. Property Interest

As a general matter, property interests may be created by statute or contract.94 "In the employment context, a property interest arises only where the state is barred, whether by statute or contract, from terminating (or not renewing) the employment relationship without cause."95 Were Grasson an employee, this Court's determination that the Board could only terminate the contract for just cause might be sufficient to create a property interest. However, Grasson was not an employee, and instead entered into a contract with the Board to provide pupil transportation services.96

Courts in the Second Circuit have been reluctant to expand due process protections to ordinary commercial contracts. As explained in S & D Maintenance Co., Inc. v. Goldin:

Instead, "the type of interest a person has in the enforcement of an ordinary commercial contract often `is qualitatively different from the interests the Supreme Court has thus far viewed as `property' entitled to procedural due process protection.'"98 Thus, the Second Circuit recognizes that ordinary contract rights are different in substance from "welfare benefits conferred by statute upon our poorest citizens to provide for their immediate well-being, if not survival;"99 social security benefits;100 tenured status in public employment;101 and permanent civil service employment.102 Each of these rights, as distinct from ordinary contract rights, invokes "a status, an estate within the public sphere characterized by a quality of either extreme dependence in the case of welfare benefits, or permanence in the case of tenure, or sometimes both, as frequently occurs in the case of social security benefits."103

Grasson argues that he had a "property interest in his continued employment providing transportation for children" because "he could only be terminated by the defendants for just cause as voted by a majority of the Orange Board of Education during said 90-day period."104 But this argument misses the point. While the transportation contract may require a finding of just cause for termination, it is a simple commercial contract between the Board and an owner/operator of a bus that neither invokes extreme dependence nor permanence. Grasson was not dependent on the contract, because he contracted with the Winkles and the Amity school district, and the contract does not suggest permanence, because it had a five-year term.105 In short, this contract does not create a right protected by due process.106 Where a breach of contract does not give rise to a deprivation of a protectible property interest, plaintiff's exclusive remedy "lies in state court for breach of contract."107 Accordingly, defendants' motion is granted as to Grasson's procedural due process claim based on a property interest.

2. Liberty Interest

Grasson's procedural due process claim amounts to a stigma-plus claim.108 "It is well-settled that an individual's liberty can be implicated when a governmentally imposed stigma restricts his ability to seek and obtain employment," including the right of the individual to contract.109 Courts in the Second Circuit have often held that "one must have no ability to practice one's profession at all in order to state a claim for deprivation of a liberty interest."110 However, in the context of a stigma-plus claim, complete deprivation of the ability to practice one's profession is not required. Rather, offending statements are actionable when they "put a significant roadblock in that employee's continued ability to practice his or her profession...."111

Grasson argues that the Board's statements "have destroyed [his] earning capacity because his livelihood as a bus driver requires contact with children."112 However, Grasson admits that the Winkles and the Amity school district continue to employ him as a school bus driver, despite knowing why he was terminated by the Board.113 Indeed, when asked whether he drove more following his termination than before, Grasson responded, "I drive probably just as much. Sometimes less; sometimes more."114 Accordingly, there is no genuine dispute of material fact that the offending statements have placed a "significant roadblock" to his continued employment as a bus driver. Defendants' motion is therefore granted as to Grasson's stigma-plus claim.

D. The Tort Claims Against the Individual Defendants

Defendants argue that because the Complaint is brought against the individual defendants in their official capacities only, the individual defendants are entitled to governmental immunity.115 They assert that a claim against an individual in his official capacity is treated as an action against the government entity itself, and note that the tort claims against the Board were already dismissed on the basis of governmental immunity.116 Specifically, they argue that (1) the defamation, invasion of privacy, and the tortious interference with business expectancy claims are barred by Connecticut General Statutes section 52-557n(a)(2)(A) insofar as the claims allege willful, wanton, or intentional misconduct; and (2) the claims for conversion and negligent infliction of emotional distress are barred by section 52-557n(a)(2)(B) because the Board's conduct was discretionary in nature.117

Grasson does not deny that the individual defendants were sued in their official capacities. By failing to address defendants' contention, Grasson has waived any argument to the contrary.118 Furthermore, Judge Dorsey stated in Grasson I that "the case will proceed on counts ... III, IV, V, VI, VII, VIII against the individual defendants in their official capacities."119

"It is well settled law that an action against a government official in his or her official capacity is not an action against the official, but instead, is one against the official's office and, thus, is treated as an action against the entity itself."120 As a general rule, "governments and their agents are immune from liability for acts conducted in performance of their official duties."121 In ruling on defendants' motion to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b)(6), Judge Dorsey determined "that the Board was acting as an agent of the municipality and that governmental immunity is thereby applicable to the Board to any extent it would apply to a municipality or municipal corporation."122

Connecticut General Statutes section 52-557n(a)(2) states that:

Judge Dorsey's determination that the intentional tort claims are barred by section 52-557n(a)(2)(A) and the conversion and negligent infliction of emotional distress claims are barred by section 52-557n(a)(2)(B) applies to the claims asserted against the individual defendants in their official capacities.123

Grasson argues that section 52-557n(c) provides a basis for liability because it permits a lawsuit against a board member acting in his official capacity if injury was caused by his reckless, wilful, or wanton misconduct.124 However, section 52-557n(c) only applies to actions seeking to impose personal liability on such board members or agents. An official capacity suit, by contrast, seeks to impose liability on the municipality, not the person. Therefore, section 52-557n(c) does not apply to the claims against the individual defendants here because they are sued only in their official capacities.125 Accordingly, defendants' motion for summary judgment is granted as to the tort claims against the individual defendants.

VI. CONCLUSION

For the foregoing reasons, defendants' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to the substantive and procedural due process claims against the Board and the individual defendants, GRANTED as to the tort claims against the individual defendants, and DENIED as to the breach of contract claim against the Board. In addition, all claims are DISMISSED as to defendant Joseph Marulli, who was not personally involved in any of the conduct alleged in the Complaint.126 Finally, because I am granting summary judgment in favor of defendants on all federal claims, I decline to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over plaintiff's breach of contract claim. The Clerk of the Court is directed to close this case and remand it forthwith to the Superior Court of Connecticut, Judicial District of New Haven.127