STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Student v. Weston Board of Education - CT SDE Case No. 18-0348
Case No. 18-0348
Student v. Weston Board of Education
Appearing on behalf of the Parent: Phillip Cohn, Esq. Cohn & Paul, PLLC 200 Connecticut Avenue Norwalk, CT 06854
Appearing on behalf of the Board: Christopher Tracey, Esq. Shipman & Goodwin, LLP 300 Atlantic Street Stamford, CT 06901
Appearing before: Patrick L. Kennedy, Esq. Hearing Officer
ISSUES:
1. Did the board fail to meet its obligations under Child Find?
2. Was the student denied FAPE for the 2015-16 school year?
3. Was the student denied FAPE for the 2016-17 school year?
4. Has the student been denied FAPE for the 2017-18 school year?
5. If the student has been denied FAPE for the relevant period, was Viewpoint an appropriate placement?
6. If the student has been denied FAPE for the relevant period, was Timbersong Academy/Equinox an appropriate placement?
7. Depending on the answers to the foregoing questions, should the board reimburse the parents for tuition and other expenses incurred for private placements?
8. Depending on the answers to the foregoing questions, should the board be ordered to pay tuition and other expenses for the student’s placement at Timbersong Academy/Equinox going forward?
9. If violations are found, should the parents be reimbursed for other educational and related costs as outlined in the hearing request?
10. If violations are found, should the student be provided with compensatory education?
11. If the parents prevail, should they be awarded reimbursement of attorney fees and costs?
SUMMARY AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY:
Case 18-0348 was commenced by the Parents by request received by the Board on March 1, 2018. A prehearing conference was held on March 13, 2018. At the prehearing conference, hearing dates were set for April 17, 2018 and April 24, 2018 and the decision date was determined to be May 15, 2018. The scheduled hearings were subsequently cancelled and the decision date was eventually extended to July 13, 2018.
On July 6, 2018, the undersigned hearing officer was advised by the attorney for the Parents that the parties had reached a settlement in the case and that the request for hearing was therefore being withdrawn.
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
The matter is dismissed with prejudice.