STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Student v. Mansfield Board of Education - CT SDE Case No. 07-0385
Case No. 07-0385
Student v. Mansfield Board of Education
Appearing on Behalf of the Parents: Walter R. Keenan, Esq. 65 Jacobs Hill Road Mansfield Center, 06250 West Hartford, CT 06110
Appearing on Behalf of the Board: Attorney Michael P. McKeon Sullivan, Schoen & Connon, LLC 646 Prospect Avenue Hartford, CT 06105-4286
Appearing Before: Attorney Justino Rosado, Hearing Officer
ISSUES:
1. Was the program and related services offered by the Board for the 2007- 2008 appropriate and did the program and services provide the Student with FAPE according to 20 USC 1401 et seq? If not;
2. Should the Board pay for the placement of the Student at Ben Bronz Academy?
3. Should the Board reimburse the Parent for an independent evaluation of the Student?
SUMMARY AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY:
The Student is a young man who has been identified as a student entitled to receive a free and appropriate public education (“FAPE”) as defined in Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) 20 U.S.C. §1401 et seq. and Connecticut General Statute §10-76a.
The Parents rejected the program offered to the Student for the 2007-2008 school year. The Parents requested the placement of the Student at Ben Bronz Academy and reimbursement of the independent evaluation conducted by Dr. Tolis. The Board rejected the Parents’ request.
On December 26, 2007, a Hearing Officer was appointed. A pre-hearing conference was conducted on or about January 7, 2008 and hearing dates of February 5, 6 &12, 2008 were chosen by the parties. In a letter to the Hearing Officer the parties requested cancellation of the hearing dates to allow the parties time to mediate the matter. A mediation session was held on March 5, 2008. Hearing dates of April 11 & 13, 2008 were chosen.
At the April 11, 2008 hearing date the Hearing Officer was informed that the matter was settled.
The date for the filing of the Final Decision and Order is May 5, 2008.
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
THE MATTER IS DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE.