STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Student v. Ridgefield Board of Education - CT SDE Case No. 21-0083
Case No. 21-0083
Student v. Ridgefield Board of Education
Appearing on behalf of the Parent: Gerry McMahon, Esq. Law Offices of Gerry McMahon, LLC 100 Mill Plain Road, 3rd Fl Danbury, CT 06811
Appearing on behalf of the Board: Christopher Tracey, Esq. Linda Yoder, Esq. Shipman & Goodwin, LLP One Constitution Plaza Hartford, CT 06103
Appearing before: Sylvia Ho, Esq. Hearing Officer
ISSUES:
1. Did the Board commit procedural violations in the 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and/or 2020- 2021 school years and/or extended school years, and if so, did such procedural violation(s) result in a loss of educational opportunity for Student?
2. Did the Board offer or provide appropriate programs for the 2018-2019, 2019-2020 and/or 2020-2021 school years and/or extended school years?
3. If the answer(s) to #1 and/or #2 above is (are) in the affirmative, is place at Villa Maria appropriate?
4. If the answer to #3 above is in the affirmative, should the Parents be reimbursed for their placement of Student at Villa Maria?
5. Do the circumstances warrant an award of compensatory education?
PROCEDURAL HISTORY/SUMMARY:
The Parent filed the Due Process Complaint and Request for Hearing on August 28, 2020. The Hearing Officer was appointed on September 4, 2020 and conducted a Prehearing Conference on September 30, 2020. The hearing was scheduled for November 10, 2020. The Parents’ request to extend the mailing date and postpone the hearing to mediate was granted on November 2, 2020. The hearing was rescheduled to December 9, 2020 and the mailing date was extended to December 11, 2020. On December 7, 2020, the Parent withdrew the Due Process Complaint without prejudice.
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
The matter is DISMISSED without prejudice.