STATE OF CONNECTICUT
DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Watertown Board of Education v. Student - CT SDE Case No. 21-0097
Case No. 21-0097
Watertown Board of Education and Student
Appearing on behalf of the Student: Parent, Pro Se
Appearing on behalf of the Board: Attorney Linda Yoder Shipman & Goodwin, LLP One Constitution Plaza Hartford, CT 06103-1919
Appearing before: Attorney Ann F. Bird Hearing Officer
ISSUES:
The following issues have been identified for determination at the hearing:
1. Is the Board of Education fulfilling its obligation to offer the Student a Free Appropriate Public Education in the least restrictive environment?
2. Is the triennial evaluation planned by the Board of Education at the July 8, 2020 PPT meeting appropriate and necessary to determine eligibility and design future educational services?
a. If so, should the triennial evaluation proceed in the absence of parental consent?
PROCEDURAL HISTORY:
The Watertown Board of Education initiated this special education due process case on September 3, 2020. This Impartial Hearing Officer was assigned to the case on September 10, 2020. After several attempts, a Prehearing Conference was convened on October 7, 2020. No one appeared on behalf of the Student and Attorney Linda Yoder appeared on behalf of the Board of Education. It was established that the deadline for filing the final decision was October 16, 2020. An evidentiary hearing was scheduled for November 4, 2020.
On October 7, 2020, the Board of Education requested a postponement and extension of the timelines to conduct the hearing and to file the final decision in this case to November 13, 2020. The purpose of the requested postponement and extension was to accommodate the hearing schedule. The Student did not object to the requested postponement and it was granted.
On October 28, 2020 the Board of Education reported that the parties had resolved the issues in this case and requested that the matter be withdrawn or dismissed.
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER:
The Board of Education’s request is granted and the matter is dismissed.