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
FINAL DECISION AND ORDER
Student’s Name: C.K.
Date of Birth: [redacted]
ODR No. 16204-1415KE
CLOSED HEARING
Parties to the Hearing:
Parent[s]
Perkiomen Valley School District
Representative:
Pro Se
Christina Stephanos
Sweet Stevens Katz & Williams LLP
Dates of Hearing: Record Closed: Date of Decision: Hearing Officer:
331 Butler Ave.
New Britain, PA 18601
Record Closed: June 3, 2015
Date of Decision: June 3, 2015
Hearing Officer: Brian Jason Ford
Pendency and Jurisdiction Determination
Introduction
This memorandum and order resolves the question of whether I have jurisdiction to preside over this special education due process hearing. I conclude that I do not have authority to hear this matter and dismiss the hearing for that reason. I also address the parties’ concerns about the Student’s “stay-put” or pendent placement, but only as dicta. This memorandum and order is dispositive, and so it is formatted in the style of a final decision and order.
Issue
Does the Office for Dispute Resolution (ODR) have subject matter jurisdiction over the claims raised in the Parents’ Complaint of April 28, 2015?
C-K-Perkiomen-Valley-ODRNo-16204-1415KE