STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Student v. Manchester Board of Education - CT SDE Case No. 12-0175
Case No. 12-0175
Student v. Manchester Board of Education
Appearing on Behalf of the Parents: Attorney Alexis Highsmith Greater Hartford Legal Aid 999 Asylum Street, 3rd Floor Hartford, CT 06105
Appearing on Behalf of the Board: Attorney Linda Yoder Shipman & Goodwin, LLP One Constitution Plaza Hartford, CT 06103
Appearing Before: Attorney Justino Rosado, Hearing Officer
ISSUES:
1. Was the program offered by the Board from December 7, 2010 to the end of the 2010-2011 school year appropriate and did it provide the Student with a free and appropriate public education (FAPE) in the least restrictive environment (LRE)?
2. Is the program offered by the Board for the 2011-2012 school year appropriate and does it provide the Student with FAPE in the LRE? If not;
3. Does the Student require a private placement that provides specific supports for the Student’s multiple disabilities of autism and visual impairment?
4. Is the Student entitled to compensatory education for the denial of FAPE from December 7, 2010 to the end of the 2010-2011 school year?
SUMMARY AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY:
The Student has been identified with Autism and is entitled to receive FAPE as defined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEA) 20 U.S.C. §1401 et seq. and Connecticut General Statute §10- 76a, At a PPT meeting, the Parent rejected the program offered by the Board for the 2011- 2012 school year. The Parent requested a private placement that provided specific supports for the Student's multiple needs of autism and visual impairment. The Board refused the Parent’s request. On November 22, 2011, the Board received notice of the Parent’s request for due process. The parties agreed to go to a resolution meeting which was scheduled for November 23, 2011. An impartial hearing officer was appointed on November 22, 2011 and a prehearing conference was held on December 1, 2011. A hearing date of January 30, 2012 was chosen by the parties. In an electronic transmission, the Parent's attorney advised the hearing officer that the parties were able to resolve the matter and requested a withdrawal without prejudice. The date for mailing the Final Order and Decision is February 5, 2012.
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
THE MATTER IS DISMISSED.