UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT EASTERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK ----------------------------------x CHRISTIAN KILLORAN, TERRIE KILLORAN, and AIDEN KILLORAN,
Plaintiffs, MEMORANDUM & ORDER 21-CV-3264(JS)(SIL) -against-
WESTHAMPTON BEACH SCHOOL DISTRICT, and MARY ANN AMBROSINI,
Defendants. ----------------------------------x For Plaintiffs: Christian Killoran, Esq., pro se Terrie Killoran, pro se Aiden Killoran, pro se 132-13 Main Street, Suite 13 Westhampton Beach, New York 11978
For Defendants: Anne Leahey, Esq. ANNE LEAHEY LAW, LLC 17 Dumplin Hill Lane Huntington, New York 11743
SEYBERT, District Judge:
Pro se plaintiffs Christian Killoran, Terrie Killoran
(together, “the Parents”), and Aiden Killoran (“A.K.”), a special
education student, (collectively, the “Plaintiffs”), commenced
this action against defendants Westhampton Beach School District
(“Westhampton” or the “District”) and Mary Ann Ambrosini (“Dr.
Ambrosini”), the District’s Director of Pupil Personnel,
(together, “the Defendants”). Plaintiffs’ Complaint purports to
allege retaliation claims pursuant to Section 504 of the
1
Rehabilitation Act (“Rehabilitation Act”), 29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.,
and the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”), 42 U.S.C. § 12101
et seq. (See Compl., ECF No. 1.) It also purports to allege
constitutional claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (“Section 1983”)
and a state law breach of contract claim. (See id.) Plaintiffs
seek monetary damages and equitable relief.
Currently pending before the Court is Defendants’ motion
to dismiss Plaintiffs’ Complaint (hereafter, “Dismissal Motion”)
pursuant to Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 12(b)(1). (See ECF
No. 16; see also Support Memo, ECF No. 16-1; Reply, ECF No. 19.)
Plaintiffs oppose the Dismissal Motion. (See Opp’n, ECF No. 21.)
After careful consideration, for the reasons stated herein,
Defendants’ Dismissal Motion is GRANTED with respect to
Plaintiffs’ federal claims. Having disposed of the federal claims,
the Court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction over the
remaining state law claim. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ Complaint is
dismissed in its entirety.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
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BACKGROUND 1
I. Factual Background 2
This action is one in a series of civil rights litigation
brought by Plaintiffs against Westhampton concerning the education
of A.K. It arises out of an administrative due process hearing
initiated by Plaintiffs pursuant to the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) related to the development of
A.K.’s individualized education plan (“IEP”) and placement for the
2020-2021 academic year. (See Compl.)
Subsequent to A.K.’s August 2020 annual review by the
Committee on Special Education (“CSE”), A.K.’s Parents commenced
an administrative due process proceeding against the District.
(See Compl. ¶¶ 3, 6.) In December 2020, following an
administrative due process hearing, Internal Hearing Officer
(“IHO”) Roslyn Roth (“IHO Roth”) found that the District had failed
to recommend an educational placement recommendation in the least
restrictive environment (“LRE”) and that the District had failed
to develop an appropriate set of transitional activities and goals,
implemented in the LRE. (See id. ¶¶ 8, 9, 10.) IHO Roth ordered
1 For ease of reference, the Court cites to the Electronic Case Filing System (“ECF”) pagination.
2 The facts set forth herein are taken from the Complaint, as well as the documents attached to it as exhibits, and are accepted as true for purposes of the instant motion. See Sira v. Morton, 380 F.3d 57, 67 (2d Cir. 2004). 3
the District to reconvene a CSE for purposes of rendering an
educational placement recommendation for A.K. within the LRE, and
to appoint a “transitional coordinator” responsible for developing
a “coordinated set of transitional activities and goals” within
A.K.’s home community, as the LRE. (See id. ¶ 11.)
In accordance with IHO Roth’s order, the CSE reconvened
in January 2021. (See id. ¶ 12.) Defendant, Dr. Ambrosini served
as the CSE Chairperson. (See id. ¶¶ 12, 13.) Dr. Magito McLaughlin
(“Dr. McLaughlin”), President of Positive Behavior Support
Consulting (“PBS Consulting”), served as a CSE member and the CSE’s
parent-trainer and transitional coordinator. 3 (See id. ¶¶ 19-23.)
Ms. Maureen Grauer (“Ms. Grauer”), employed by PBS Consulting,
also served as a CSE member and the CSE’s educational consultant.
(See id. ¶ 23.) Thereafter, Dr. Ambrosini issued a program
recommendation and a placement recommendation for A.K. to attend
BOCES; she also recommended that A.K.’s coordinated set of
transitional activities and goals be implemented within BOCES.
(See id. ¶¶ 14, 15.)
In March 2021, in response to Dr. Ambrosini’s placement
recommendation, Plaintiffs commenced another administrative due
3 Pursuant to a consulting agreement with the District, PBS Consulting provided parent coaching and training, transition planning, and educational program consultation for the 2020-2021 school year. (See Correspondence, Ex. P-1, attached to Compl.)
4
process proceeding against the District; it was held before IHO
Jeffrey Schiro (“IHO Schiro”). (See id. ¶¶ 16-18.) At the March
2021 due process hearing, Dr. McLaughlin testified on behalf of
Plaintiffs, stating that a March 5, 2021 letter she received from
Dr. Ambrosini, which was marked “Personal and Confidential” (the
“Correspondence”), caused her ”to get very upset.” (Id. ¶¶ 25,
30, 34, 57; see also Correspondence, Ex. P-1, attached to Compl.)
The Correspondence reviewed the services to be provided by Dr.
McLaughlin pursuant to the consulting agreement between the
District and PBS Consulting and provided examples of Dr. McLaughlin
acting outside of that role. (See Correspondence.) It explained
that as a parent trainer, Dr. McLaughlin was expected to provide
the parents with information and available services, not to
advocate on their behalf. (See id.) In pertinent part, the
Correspondence stated:
In light of your recent correspondence, it seems prudent to consider your role as President of PBS Consulting and the provision of Parent Coaching & Training, Transition Coordinator and Educational Consultation services to the Westhampton Beach School District. In your February 26, 2021 email you refer to Ms. Grauer, your employee, as a "Special Education Consultant" and then propose that Ms. Grauer take on the role of a "Special Educator" neither of which have been requested by the District or contractually agreed upon. In your email you set forth the reasons that you disagree with the CSE recommendation for the student’s program and placement while offering options for PBS Consulting to provide additional services.
5
Further, you have promoted the services of PBS Consulting on numerous occasions ignoring the District’s contractual agreements with other agencies.
The WHB and Remsenburg-Speonk BOE’s have approved a consulting agreement with Positive Behavior Support Consulting for the 2020-21 school year. The agreement describes the following services:
. . . .
If you are no longer in agreement with these descriptions as the agreed upon services to be rendered please submit an amendment to the agreement to be submitted for Board of Education approval. Otherwise, the District expects that you uphold the agreement by delivering the services as described.
In your agency’s role as a Parent Trainer, you are expected to provide parents with
statements and correspondence are more reflective of a parent advocate and as such is in conflict with and a violative of the BOE approved agreement. In addition, your recommendations to the parents and to the committee to change the student’s schedule, assign additional staff and services, change the pendency agreement, change room assignments/locations and revise the role of the educational consultant are not within the scope of the services to be provided by a Parent Trainer or Transition Coordinator. If you have questions about the PBS Consulting's contractual agreement please contact my office to discuss. You are certainly entitled to your opinions; however, it is deeply troubling that as the Transition Coordinator you are adopting a position that the most restrictive and most isolated setting possible (a one student, one teacher/provider environment) is the most
6
appropriate to address the transition goals for this student. The Transition Services Program, toured by yourself and members of the team, on February 25, 2021, offers the student opportunities for interacting, communicating and working cooperatively with peers while learning and practicing new skills in a realistic setting. Certainly you would concur with the value of these skills in a post- secondary setting. While it is clear that you are passionate about ‘transition’, it is the role of the CSE to recommend an appropriate placement to address all of the student’s goals and needs including those pertaining to his transition. The parents’ desire to have their son educated within the WHB High School building has been addressed for more than six years by Impartial Hearing Officers, State Review Officers and Committees on Special Education. Whether you agree or not, the WHB School District does not possess an appropriate program for this student and is not mandated to create one. Additionally, the District will not seek to create a program by accreting services to the pendency agreement as the parents and yourself have suggested be done. Again, it is the role of the CSE to recommend an appropriate placement to address all of the student’s goals (including the manner in which his transitions goals are best accomplished). Your knowledge and expertise are well respected; it is the hope of the District that we are able to maintain a professional relationship that addresses the needs of the student as delineated in the consulting agreement approved by the District and PBS Consulting. (Correspondence (emphasis in original).) According to Plaintiffs, Dr. McLaughlin testified that
she viewed the Correspondence as bullying her to change her
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placement recommendation for A.K. and threatening her continued
employment, as a CSE member, parent trainer, and transitional
coordinator, as well as the continued retention of her company,
PBS Consulting as the CSE’s educational consultant. (See Compl.
¶¶ 55, 56.) She also testified that the Correspondence contained
factual inaccuracies regarding the description of Dr. McLaughlin’s
employment contract. (Id. ¶ 58.)
Plaintiffs, who were unaware of the Correspondence prior
to Dr. McLaughlin’s testimony, requested its production during the
March 2021 due process hearing. (See id. ¶ 31.) Despite the
District’s contention that the Correspondence was privileged, IHO
Schiro signed a subpoena ordering its production from the District,
which was produced the day before the May 27, 2021 re-convened
hearing. (See id. ¶¶ 40-44.)
Further, prior to reconvening the due process hearing, IHO
Schiro denied Plaintiffs’ request to amend their due process
complaint to add a retaliation claim pursuant to the Rehabilitation
Act based upon the Correspondence. (See id. ¶¶ 45, 47.) Thus,
Plaintiffs filed a new due process complaint against the District
claiming that Dr. Ambrosini’s actions in sending the
Correspondence violated the IDEA and the Rehabilitation Act’s
protection against retaliation. (See id. ¶ 59.) Plaintiffs allege
that Defendants have not granted IHO Schiro authority to adjudicate
the Rehabilitation Act claim. (See id. ¶¶ 60-61.)
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II. Relevant Procedural History 4
On June 9, 2021, Plaintiffs filed a Complaint purporting
to allege violations of the Rehabilitation Act, the ADA, Section
1983 and a state law breach-of-contract claim. (See Compl.) On
September 10, 2021, Defendants filed the instant Dismissal Motion.
(See Dismissal Motion, ECF No. 16.) Plaintiffs filed their
opposition to the Motion on October 11, 2021. (See Opp’n., ECF
No. 21.) Defendants filed a reply to Plaintiffs’ opposition on
October 22, 2021. (Reply, ECF No. 18.)
DISCUSSION
I. Legal Standard for Rule 12(b)(1) Motion
“A case is properly dismissed for lack of subject matter
jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(1) when the district court lacks the
4 For completeness, the Court notes the following. On May 9, 2022, in another case commenced by Mr. Killoran, Case No. 20-CV- 4121, the Court issued an Omnibus Order directing the parties to show cause why Case No. 21-CV-1281 and Case No. 21-CV-5924 should not be consolidated with Case No. 20-CV-4121, since, inter alia, they all relate to the 2020-2021 academic year. (See Case Docket, Omnibus Order to Show Cause, ECF No. 24.) The parties were also permitted to move for the consolidation of the instant case with the other cases. (See id.) The parties consented to the consolidation of Case Nos. 20-CV-4121, 21-CV-1281 and 21-CV-5924. However, Defendants objected to the consolidation of the instant case arguing that the parties and claims in this case are different from the other actions and because, unlike the other actions, this case implicates the Court’s subject matter jurisdiction. (See Case No. 20-CV-4121, Defs.’ May 23, 2022 OSC Response, ECF No. 37, at 3.) Thereafter, the Court issued an order consolidating Case Nos. 20-CV-4121, 21-CV-1281 and 21-CV-5924, but maintained the instant case independent of the consolidated actions. (See Case Docket, June 1, 2022 Elec. Order.) 9
statutory or constitutional power to adjudicate it.” Makarova v.
United States, 201 F.3d 110, 113 (2d Cir. 2000). In resolving a
motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction, the
Court may consider materials beyond the pleadings. See Morrison
v. Nat'l Austl. Bank, Ltd., 547 F.3d 167, 170 (2d Cir. 2008),
aff'd, 561 U.S. 247 (2010). Though the Court must accept the
factual allegations contained in the Complaint as true, it will
not draw argumentative inferences in favor of Plaintiff; subject
matter jurisdiction must be shown affirmatively. See id.
Additionally, “[a] plaintiff asserting subject matter jurisdiction
has the burden of proving by a preponderance of the evidence that
it exists.” Makarova, 201 F.3d at 113. 5
II. Article III Standing
Article III of the U.S. Constitution restricts the
jurisdiction of federal courts to actual cases or controversies.
See Spokeo, Inc. v. Robins, 578 U.S. 330, 337 (2016) (citing Raines
5 Though it is well-established that pleadings filed by pro se plaintiffs are held “to less stringent standards than formal pleadings drafted by lawyers,” Erickson v. Pardus, 551 U.S. 89, 94 (2007), where, as here, an attorney is proceeding pro se, his pleadings are not entitled to the “special consideration which the courts customarily grant to pro se parties.” Bazadier v. McAlary, 464 F. App’x 11, 12 (2d Cir. 2012) (internal quotation marks and citation omitted); see also Killoran v. Westhampton Beach Sch. Dist., No. 19-CV-3298, 2020 WL 4740498, at *4 (E.D.N.Y. June 24, 2020) (“[T]he Court takes notice that Plaintiff [Christian Killoran], although proceeding pro se, is a registered attorney.”) report and recommendation adopted, 2020 WL 4743189 (E.D.N.Y. July 27, 2020). 10
v. Byrd, 521 U.S. 811, 818 (1997)). Standing to sue, “a doctrine
rooted in the traditional understanding of a case or controversy,”
“limits the category of litigants empowered to maintain a lawsuit
in federal court to seek redress for a legal wrong.” Id. at 338
(citing Valley Forge Christian Coll. v. Ams. United for Separation
of Church & State, Inc., 454 U.S. 464, 473 (1982); Warth v. Seldin,
422 U.S. 490, 498-99 (1975)). “The hallmark of a case or
controversy is the presence of adverse interests between parties
who have a substantial personal stake in the outcome of the
litigation.” Evans v. Lynn, 537 F.2d 571, 591 (2d Cir. 1975).
“As standing is ‘a limitation on the authority of a federal court
to exercise jurisdiction,’ it is properly addressed within the
context of a Rule 12(b)(1) motion.” City of New York v. Milhelm
Attea & Bros., 550 F. Supp. 2d 332, 340 (E.D.N.Y. 2008) (quoting
All. for Envtl. Renewal, Inc. v. Pyramid Crossgates Co., 436 F.3d
82, 88 n.6 (2d Cir. 2006)). Therefore, to survive a defendant’s
motion to dismiss for lack of subject matter jurisdiction pursuant
to Rule 12(b)(1) of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, a
plaintiff must allege facts “that affirmatively and plausibly
suggest that it has standing to sue.” Amidax Trading Grp. v.
S.W.I.F.T. SCRL, 671 F.3d 140, 145 (2d Cir. 2011).
To establish standing, a plaintiff “must have (1)
suffered an injury in fact, (2) that is fairly traceable to the
challenged conduct of the defendant, and (3) that is likely to be
11
redressed by a favorable judicial decision.” Spokeo, 587 U.S. at
338. An injury in fact must be “‘concrete and particularized’ and
‘actual or imminent, not conjectural or hypothetical.’” Id. at
339 (quoting Lujan v. Defs. of Wildlife, 504 U.S. 555, 560 (1992));
see also Anjum v. J.C. Penney Co., Inc., No. 13-CV-460, 2014 WL
5090018, at *6 (E.D.N.Y. Oct. 9, 2014) (“Standing refers to the
requirement that a plaintiff in federal court suffer a non-
speculative injury-in-fact, traceable to the conduct of the
defendant, and capable of redress by a favorable decision.”) An
injury is “particularized” if it “affect[s] the plaintiff in a
personal and individual way.” Spokeo, 578 U.S. at 339 (quoting
Lujan, 504 U.S. at 560 n.1). In comparison, “[a] concrete injury
must be de facto; that is, it must actually exist.” Id. at 340
(internal quotations and citation omitted). “Mere interest in, or
concern over, a prospective defendant’s acts—no matter how deeply
felt—is insufficient to demonstrate injury in fact.” Evans, 537
F.2d at 591 (citing Sierra Club v. Morton, 405 U.S. 727, 739
(1972)).
For the foregoing reasons, the Court finds that
Plaintiffs have failed to plead plausible facts sufficient to show
that they have suffered a “concrete and particularized” injury in
fact and, therefore, lack standing to bring their claims.
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A. Associational Retaliation Claims
Plaintiffs allege that “Ms. Ambrosini’s correspondence
illustrates an . . . attack upon, not only the due process
protections afforded by the IDEA, but also the protections afforded
by [the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA] against retaliation.”
(Compl. ¶¶ 69, 75.) They claim that the alleged acts of
retaliation against Dr. McLaughlin “profile as an act of
‘retaliation’ executed upon [Plaintiffs].” (Id. ¶¶ 66, 69, 72,
75.)
Defendants contend that Plaintiffs lack standing to
bring retaliation claims pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act and
the ADA. (See Support Memo at 13-17.) The Court agrees.
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act provides: “No
otherwise qualified individual with a disability in the United
States . . . shall, solely by reason of her or his disability, be
excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or
be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity
receiving Federal financial assistance . . . .” 29 U.S.C. §
794(a)). It further provides that “‘any person aggrieved by any
act or failure to act by any recipient of Federal assistance’ under
the [Rehabilitation Act] may bring suit.” 29 U.S.C. § 794a(a)(2).
The Second Circuit has recognized claims brought
pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act based on a plaintiff’s
association with an individual who suffers discrimination. See
13
Loeffler v. Staten Island Univ. Hosp., 582 F.3d 268 (2d Cir. 2009)
(Wesley, J. concurring, but writing for the majority for that
portion of the ruling). In Loeffler, the Second Circuit held that
“non-disabled parties bringing associational discrimination claims
need only prove [that they suffered] an independent injury causally
related to the denial of federally required services to the
disabled persons with whom the non-disabled plaintiffs are
associated.” Id. at 279-80 (emphasis added). It found that a
hospital’s refusal to provide a deaf father with a sign language
interpreter independently harmed the father’s non-disabled
children, as it caused them to become interpreters for doctors
seeking to speak with the father and caused school truancy. Id.
In reaching this conclusion, the Court construed the standing
provision of the Rehabilitation Act, § 794a(a)(2), as being
distinct from the provision prohibiting discriminatory conduct, §
794(a), noting that the type of injury a ‘person aggrieved’ suffers
need not be ‘exclu[sion] from the participation in, . . . deni[al
of] the benefits of, or . . . subject[ion] to discrimination under
any program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.’”
Id. (quoting 29 U.S.C. § 794(a).) However, this broad
interpretation of standing “does not relieve the person aggrieved
of establishing an injury casually related to, but separate and
distinct from, a disabled person’s injury under the statute.” Id.
at 280 (noting the plaintiff-children were required to establish
14
having suffered an injury independent from the father that was
causally related to the hospital’s failure to provide services to
the father).
The Second Circuit has yet to determine whether
associational standing exists for discrimination claims brought
pursuant to Title II of the ADA. However, district courts in this
Circuit have extended associational standing under this Title to
the same extent as the Rehabilitation Act based on their
similarity. 6 See, e.g., Innovative Health Sys., Inc. v. City of
White Plains, 931 F. Supp. 222, 236 (S.D.N.Y. 1996) (opining that
the ADA statute extending relief to “‘[a]ny person alleging
discrimination . . .’ need not be an individual with a disability,
but may be anyone injured by a covered entity’s discrimination
against an individual on the basis of that individual’s
disability”); Doe v. Westport Bd. of Educ., No. 3:18-CV-01683,
2020 WL 6382639, at *3 (D. Conn. Oct. 30, 2020) (finding that
parents had standing under both the Rehabilitation Act and Title
II of the ADA because they alleged a separate and distinct injury
6 Title II of the ADA, which prohibits various forms of discrimination by state and local governments, provides, in pertinent part: “[N]o qualified individual with a disability shall, by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination by any such entity.” 42 U.S.C. § 12132. It further provides that remedies are available “to any person alleging discrimination on the basis of disability . . . .” 42 U.S.C. § 12133.
15
resulting from the alleged denial of services to their disabled
child).
Here, the Court finds that Plaintiffs do not have
associational standing pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act or the
ADA for two reasons. First, Plaintiffs have not alleged that Dr.
McLaughlin -- the individual allegedly retaliated against -- is a
person with a disability who was denied federally required services
in violation of either statute. Second, Plaintiffs fail to allege
that they suffered an injury independent of Dr. McLaughlin’s
alleged injury. 7
Plaintiffs attempt to assert standing via their
association with Dr. McLaughlin is untenable. They allege that
Dr. McLaughlin, who served as a CSE member, parent-trainer, and
transitional coordinator, testified at an administrative due
process proceeding initiated by Plaintiffs that the Correspondence
caused her “to get very upset” (Compl. ¶ 30), and that she
interpreted the Correspondence as “pressuring her and/or bullying
her” “to compel her to change her educational program and placement
recommendations for AK,” and “as a threat to her continued
employment.” (Id. ¶¶ 54-56.) As stated, though, nowhere is it
alleged that Dr. McLaughlin suffers from a disability. Thus, the
7 Notably, Plaintiffs cite no authority, nor is the Court aware of any, extending associational standing under the Rehabilitation Act or the ADA for retaliation claims. 16
necessary “bridge” or “link” from the disabled person to the person
alleging an associational discrimination claim is absent.
Contrary to the children in Loeffler who had standing based on
their association with their disabled father, Plaintiffs cannot
base their standing upon their association with Dr. McLaughlin,
who is not alleged to be disabled or alleged to have been denied
benefits to which she was entitled as a person with a disability. 8
In sum, Plaintiffs lack associational standing under the
Rehabilitation Act and the ADA.
Even if Plaintiffs could assert standing based on their
association with a non-disabled individual, which they cannot,
they would still lack standing for their failure to allege that
they suffered an independent injury causally related to Dr.
McLaughlin’s purported “injuries” of feeling “upset,” “bull[ied],”
8 Notably,any retaliation claim that could potentially be asserted by Dr. McLaughlin would be based on her association with A.K., on whose behalf she advocated. (See Ex. P-1.) However, “there is no support for the proposition that associational discrimination claims can be brought when someone [like Dr. McLaughlin] is ‘advocating’ on behalf of the disabled.” See Valenti v. Massapequa Union Free Sch. Dist., No. 03-CV-1193, 2006 WL 2570871, at *14 (E.D.N.Y. Sept. 5, 2006)) (collecting cases); McGRX, Inc. v. Vermont, No. 5:10–CV–0001, 2011 WL 31022, at *6 (D. Vt. Jan. 5, 2011) (“Because Plaintiff’s generalized allegations of advocacy on behalf of disabled Medicaid recipients fail to state a claim for associational discrimination under the ADA and RA, and because Plaintiff has not otherwise established a violation of its own legally protected interests under the ADA and RA, Plaintiff’s own discrimination claims must be dismissed.”). Thus, Dr. McLaughlin would not have associational standing to assert Rehabilitation Act or ADA claims with regard to her association with A.K.
17
and “threatened” that “her continued employment within the
district was in jeopardy.” (Compl. ¶¶ 55, 56; Opp’n. at 1.)
Plaintiffs argue they have “associational standing” to pursue
their claims because the Correspondence resulted in the “potential
denial of the educational aids, benefits and services afforded to
AK as a disabled person under the ADA.” (Opp’n. at 4 (emphasis
added).) Thus, they suffered a “concrete and distinct injury”
resulting from the District’s “retaliatory conduct” inflicted upon
Dr. McLaughlin. (Id.) However, nowhere in their Complaint do
Plaintiffs allege that after receiving the Correspondence, Dr.
McLaughlin changed her recommendation for A.K.’s placement, or
that A.K. was in fact denied benefits or services required by the
Rehabilitation Act or the ADA. In fact, as Plaintiffs, themselves,
point out, Dr. McLaughlin “resist[ed] the defendants’ retaliatory
conduct.” (Opp’n. at 12.) Further, the Correspondence was dated
after the CSE recommendation for A.K.’s placement for the 2020-
2021 academic year and during an impending administrative
proceeding. (See Compl. ¶¶ 12, 14, 16, 18, 25.) Thus, Plaintiffs’
allegation of a “potential denial” of “benefits and services” is
neither a “concrete” nor “actual” injury sufficient to confer
standing. See Spokeo, 587 U.S. at 339 (holding an injury in fact
must be “concrete and particularized” and “actual or imminent, not
conjectural or hypothetical.”).
18
Therefore, because Plaintiffs have not alleged that Dr.
McLaughlin herself is disabled and was denied federally required
services, or that Plaintiffs suffered an independent injury
causally related to Dr. McLaughlin’s alleged injury, they fail to
allege standing to assert claims pursuant to the Rehabilitation
Act or the ADA. Accordingly, Plaintiffs’ Rehabilitation Act and
ADA claims are DISMISSED. 9
B. Section 1983 Claims
Plaintiffs purport to allege third-party constitutional
claims based on Dr. McLaughlin’s rights to free speech and due
process. Specifically, Plaintiffs claim that the Correspondence
“either directly or indirectly throttle[d] free speech advocated
on AK’s behalf, as well as . . . hinder[ed] AK’s due process
rights.” (Compl. ¶¶ 77-78.)
9 In their Opposition and for the first time, Plaintiffs allege interference claims pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA. (See Opp’n at 6-9.) However, a plaintiff “cannot amend h[is] complaint by asserting new facts or theories for the first time in opposition to [d]efendants’ motion to dismiss.” K.D. ex rel. Duncan v. White Plains Sch. Dist., 921 F. Supp. 2d 197, 209 n.8 (S.D.N.Y. 2013) (citation omitted); O'Brien v. Nat’l Prop. Analysts Partners, 719 F. Supp. 222, 229 (S.D.N.Y. 1989) (“[I]t is axiomatic that the Complaint cannot be amended by the briefs in opposition to a motion to dismiss.”). In any event, Plaintiffs lack standing to assert interference claims pursuant to the Rehabilitation Act and the ADA for the same reasons they lack standing to assert retaliation claims, i.e., they cannot base such claims on their association with Dr. McLaughlin.
19
Defendants contend that Plaintiffs lack standing to
bring Section 1983 claims as they “failed to set forth fact-based
allegations regarding the throttling of their right to free speech
or regarding a hindering of their right to due process.” (Support
Memo at 17-18.) They argue that the only claimed wrongs were
“purportedly suffered by Dr. McLaughlin.” (Id. at 18.) The Court
agrees and finds that Plaintiffs’ third-party constitutional
claims fail for lack of standing.
“A party ‘generally must assert his own legal rights and
interests, and cannot rest his claim to relief on the legal rights
or interests of third parties.’” Kowalski v. Tesmer, 543 U.S.
125, 129 (2004) (quoting Warth v. Seldin, 422 U.S. 490, 499
(1975)). However, a plaintiff may assert the constitutional claims
of a third party if the plaintiff can demonstrate: (1) injury to
the plaintiff, (2) a close relationship between the plaintiff and
the third party that would cause plaintiff to be an effective
advocate for the third party’s rights, and (3) “some hindrance to
the third party’s ability to protect his or her own interests.”
Camacho v. Brandon, 317 F.3d 153, 159 (2d Cir. 2003) (quoting
Campbell v. Louisiana, 523 U.S. 392, 397 (1998)).
Here, Plaintiffs cannot assert the alleged
constitutional claims of Dr. McLaughlin because, as discussed
supra, Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails to set forth sufficient factual
allegations that Plaintiffs suffered an injury. Plaintiffs allege
20
that “the manner and content of Ms. Ambrosini’s [C]orrespondence
illustrates an . . . attack upon, not only the due process
protections afforded by the IDEA, but also upon the protections
afforded by the United States Constitution.” (Compl. ¶ 81.) Such
speculative and conclusory allegations are insufficient to
establish injury in fact for constitutional standing. See Anjum,
2014 WL 5090018, at *6 (stating standing requires that a plaintiff
suffer a non-speculative injury-in-fact.) Plaintiffs “mere
interest in, or concern over . . . Defendants’ acts—no matter how
deeply felt—is insufficient to demonstrate injury in fact.” Evans,
537 F.2d at 591. Therefore, because Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails
to allege that Plaintiffs suffered a “concrete and particularized”
injury, Plaintiffs’ lack standing to assert third-party Section
1983 claims. 10, 11 See Spokeo, 587 U.S. at 338.
10 The Court further notes that Plaintiffs’ Complaint also fails to allege facts plausibly showing either (a) a close relationship between the Plaintiffs and Dr. McLaughlin that would cause Plaintiffs to be an effective advocate for Dr. McLaughlin’s rights, or (b) some hindrance to Dr. McLaughlin’s ability to protect her own interests, both necessary components to asserting the constitutional claims of a third party, as well as a further basis to find Plaintiffs lack standing to assert third-party Section 1983 claims. 11 Having determined that Plaintiffs do not have third-party standing to assert the constitutional rights of Dr. McLaughlin, it is not necessary to determine whether Plaintiffs have adequately alleged that Dr. McLaughlin’s First Amendment or due process rights were violated.
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III. Purported IDEA Retaliation Claim
For the first time in their Opposition, Plaintiffs raise
an IDEA-based retaliation claim. Defendants argue that this claim
should not be considered by the Court as it was not alleged in
Plaintiffs’ Complaint. (See Reply at 11.) The Court agrees.
As discussed, supra, a plaintiff “cannot amend h[is]
complaint by asserting new facts or theories for the first time in
opposition to [d]efendants’ motion to dismiss.” K.D., 921 F. Supp.
2d at 209 n.8; see also Williams v. Black Entm’t Television, Inc.,
No. 13-CV-1459, 2014 WL 585419, at *11 n.8 (E.D.N.Y. Feb. 14, 2014)
(“Plaintiff cannot amend his pleadings through an opposition
brief.”); Fadem v. Ford Motor Co., 352 F. Supp. 2d 501, 516
(S.D.N.Y. 2005) (“It is longstanding precedent in this circuit
that parties cannot amend their pleadings through issues raised
solely in their briefs.”). Since Plaintiffs’ Complaint fails to
raise an IDEA-based retaliation claim, Plaintiffs’ IDEA-based
retaliation argument is presented without a basis and, therefore,
is not considered. 12
12 Even assuming, arguendo, the Court found that Plaintiffs’ Complaint alleged an IDEA-based retaliation claim, such claim would be dismissed as, admittedly, Plaintiffs failed to exhaust their administrative remedies. See Polera v. Bd. of Educ. of Newburgh Enlarged City Sch. Dist., 288 F.3d 478, 483 (2d. Cir. 2002) (holding failure to exhaust administrative remedies deprives the court of subject matter jurisdiction) (citing Hope v. Cortines, 69 F.3d 687, 688 (2d Cir.1995)). Though Plaintiffs claim that exhaustion should be excused as futile (see Opp’n at 17), the Second Circuit has cautioned against expansive interpretation of 22
IV. State Law Claim
In addition to Plaintiffs’ federal claims, the Complaint
also assert a state law claim for breach of contract. However,
because the Court has dismissed Plaintiffs’ federal claims, there
is no longer a basis for federal jurisdiction over the state law
claim. Under Carnegie–Mellon Univ. v. Cohill, 484 U.S. 343, 350
(1988), a federal court should generally decline to exercise
supplemental jurisdiction over state law claims if, as is the case
here, the complaint’s federal claims are dismissed in the
litigation’s early stages and there is no diversity jurisdiction.
See 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c)(3); Delaney v. Bank of Am. Corp., 766 F.3d
163, 170 (2d Cir. 2014) (“In general, where the federal claims are
dismissed before trial, the state claims should be dismissed as
well.”).
The Court declines to exercise supplemental jurisdiction
over Plaintiffs’ remaining state law claim, which are DISMISSED
without prejudice to being refiled in state court.
the futility exception and has refused to apply this exception in cases where the administrative process, if invoked, could have provided relief. Id. at 488–89. (holding that “sweeping exceptions to the exhaustion requirement” is “at odds” with the belief that administrative agencies are in the optimal position to identify and correct errors and to “fine tune the design of their programs”). 23
V. Leave to Amend
Although Plaintiffs have not requested leave to replead,
the Second Circuit has stated that “[w]hen a motion to dismiss is
granted, the usual practice is to grant leave to amend the
complaint.” Hayden v. County of Nassau, 180 F.3d 42, 53 (2d Cir.
1999); see also FED. R. CIV. P. 15(a)(2) (“The court should freely
give leave [to amend] when justice so requires.”) Leave to amend
should be granted unless there is evidence of undue delay, bad
faith, undue prejudice, or futility. See Milanese v. Rust–Oleum
Corp., 244 F.3d 104, 110 (2d Cir. 2001).
The Court has carefully considered whether leave to
amend is warranted here. Though dismissals based on lack of
standing should generally be without prejudice, Carter v.
HealthPort Techs., LLC, 822 F.3d 47, 54 (2d Cir. 2016), here, where
the standing defect is unlikely curable, the Court denies
Plaintiffs leave to amend their Complaint. See Cuoco v. Moritsugu,
222 F.3d 9, 112 (2d Cir. 2000) (holding that leave to amend should
be denied where “better pleading will not cure” the defects in a
plaintiff’s complaint).
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CONCLUSION
Accordingly, for the reasons set forth above, IT IS
HEREBY ORDERED that:
I. Defendants’ Dismissal Motion (ECF No. 16) is GRANTED;
II. Plaintiffs’ federal claims are DISMISSED WITH PREJUDICE;
III. The Court having declined to exercise supplemental
jurisdiction, Plaintiffs’ state law claim is DISMISSED
WITHOUT PREJUDICE; and
IV. The Clerk of Court is directed to:
A. enter judgment and, thereafter, close this case; and
B. mail a copy of this Memorandum and Order to the pro
se Plaintiffs.
SO ORDERED.
_/s/ JOANNA SEYBERT_____ Joanna Seybert, U.S.D.J.
Dated: September 27 2022 Central Islip, New York
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