STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Student v. Ridgefield Board of Education - CT SDE Case No. 20-0032
Case No. 20-0032
Student v. Ridgefield Board of Education
Appearing on behalf of the Student: Attorney Jeffrey Forte Forte Law Group LLC One Enterprise Dr. Suite 410 Shelton, CT 06484 Appearing on behalf of the Board: Attorney Christopher Tracey Shipman & Goodwin LLP 300 Atlantic St. Stamford, CT 06901 Appearing Before: Attorney Susan Dixon Hearing Officer
ISSUES:
1. Whether the District's offered Individualized Educational Program (“IEP”) for the 2019-2020 school year can provide Student with a Free and Appropriate Public Education (“FAPE”);
2. Whether the District's offered ESY-2019-20 can provide Student with FAPE?
3. Whether Student's unilateral placement is providing him with an appropriate education in the least restrictive environment;
4. Whether the parents would be entitled to reimbursement for all allowable costs pertaining to Student's unilateral placement;
5. Whether Student would be entitled to compensatory education for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years if it is found he was denied FAPE in those years.
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND:
The Student, represented by counsel, initiated this special education due process case on July 22, 2019. The Hearing Officer was assigned to the case on July 22, 2019. A Prehearing Conference was convened on July 25, 2019 which was attended by the Student's attorney and the Board's attorney. A hearing date was set for September 24, 2019 with the deadline for filing the final decision set for October 5, 2019. A hearing was duly convened and held on September 24, 2019. At the hearing counsel for the Board reported the matter was settled and the due process request was withdrawn by counsel for Student “without prejudice.”
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
The case is DISMISSED without prejudice.