STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Student v. Bridgeport Board of Education - CT SDE Case No. 20-0429
Case No. 20-0429
Student and Bridgeport Board of Education
Appearing on behalf of the Student: Parent, Pro Se
Appearing on behalf of the Board: Attorney Marsha Moses Berchem Moses, P.C. 75 Broad Street Milford, CT 06460
Appearing before: Attorney Ann F. Bird Hearing Officer
ISSUES:
The following issues have been identified for determination at the hearing:
1. Did the Board of Education offer the Student a Free Appropriate Public Education for the 2020-2021 School Year?
2. If not, should the Student be placed at Transitions CT in Monroe, CT for the 2020-2021 School Year?
PROCEDURAL HISTORY:
The Student initiated this special education due process case on April 29, 2020. This Impartial Hearing Officer was assigned to the case on May 6, 2020. A Prehearing Conference was convened on May 14, 2020. The Student’s parent appeared on behalf of the Student and Attorney Marsha Moses appeared on behalf of the Board of Education. It was established that the deadline for filing the final decision in this case was July 13, 2020. An evidentiary hearing was not scheduled due to the COVID 19 pandemic and school closures.
On June 11, 2020, a second Prehearing Conference was convened, and a hearing date of July 22, 2020 was scheduled. On June 12, 2020 the Board of Education reported that the parties participated in mediation and reached a tentative agreement. As a result, the parties requested cancellation of the hearing and postponement and extension of the timelines to conduct the hearing and to file the final decision to August 12, 2020. The request was granted.
On August 10, 2020, the parties reported that they were continuing to make progress in finalizing a settlement. The Student requested a 30 day postponement and extension of the timelines to conduct the hearing and to file the final decision to September 11, 2020. The request was granted.
On August 26, 2020, the Student reported that the matter had been settled and requested it be dismissed.
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
The Student’s request is granted and the matter is dismissed.