This is a redacted version of the original decision. Select details have been removed from the
decision to preserve anonymity of the student. The redactions do not affect the substance of
the document.
PENNSYLVANIA
SPECIAL EDUCATION HEARING OFFICER
DECISION
DUE PROCESS HEARING
Name of Child:
C.K.
ODR #3420/12-13-KE
Date of Birth:
[redacted]
Date of Hearing:
October 26, 2012
CLOSED HEARING
Parties to the Hearing:
Parent
Lakeland School District 1593 Lakeland Drive Jermyn, PA 18433
Representative:
Heather Hulse, Esquire 30 Cassatt Avenue Berwyn, PA 19312
Glenna Hazeltine, Esquire
King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul One West Broad Street Suite 700 Bethlehem, PA 18018
Date Record Closed: November 15, 2012
Date of Decision: November 25, 2012
Hearing Officer: Linda M. Valentini, Psy.D., CHO
Certified Hearing Official
Background
Student1 is a high school aged former resident of the Lakeland School District [District] who is eligible for special education pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA] under the classification of Emotional Disturbance and consequently a protected handicapped individual under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 [Section 504], as well as the federal and state regulations implementing those statutes.
The current matter addresses the Parent’s assertion that the District denied Student a free appropriate public education [FAPE] through procedural and substantive violations of the IDEA.
Issues
Did District deny Student a free appropriate public education through procedural and/or substantive violations?
Did District fail in its child find obligations to Student?
Did District fail to offer Student an appropriate program/placement? Was the District’s evaluation of Student appropriate?
C-K-Lakeland-ODRNo-3420-12-13-KE