STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Student v. Ridgefield Board of Education - CT SDE Case No. 20-0364
Case No. 20-0364
Student v. Ridgefield Board of Education
Appearing on behalf of the Parents: Attorney Jennifer Laviano Law Office of Jennifer Laviano, LLC 76 Route 37 South Sherman, CT 06784
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:
A. Whether the Ridgefield Board of Education (“Board”) denied Student a Free and Appropriate Public Education (“FAPE”) by failing to offer him an appropriate program for the 2019-2020 school year.
B. Whether the Board denied FAPE by:
1. violating Student's procedural safeguards, including but not limited to: failing to offer an Annual IEP with placement by deferring to a need for more information at the March 2019 PPT;
2. failing to offer an IEP by the first day of school as required by federal law and regulations;
3. failing to offer a program based on Student's unique needs;
4. failing to convene a PPT to review testing conducted by the district and consented to by the Parents; and
5. failing to maintain a continuum of appropriate programs within the district.
6. Should the Board immediately be ordered to place Student at Middlebridge School through his IEP, including the residential component of the program?
7. Should the Parents receive reimbursement for any and all costs associated with the placement at Middlebridge since August of 2019, and all costs associated with securing FAPE for Student, including attorneys' fees?
8. Should Student be entitled to and receive compensatory education ?
PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND:
The Student filed this Request for a Due Process Hearing on February 20, 2020. The Hearing Officer was assigned on February 20, 2020. A Prehearing Conference was held on February 27, 2020, and hearing date was set for May 6, 2020 with a date for mailing the final decision of June 5, 2020. The parties engaged in mediation. Another extension was requested and granted due to the ongoing negotiations and the statewide closing of district facilities. The hearing date was reset for August 4, 2020 with the decision date of September 3, 2020. On June 30, 2020, Counsel for the Student reported that the matter had been settled to the satisfaction of all parties and the request for due process has been withdrawn with prejudice. Accordingly, the matter is dismissed with prejudice.
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
The case is DISMISSED with prejudice.