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
StudentÓs Name: C.O.
Date of Birth: [redacted]
ODR No. 18020-1617AS
CLOSED HEARING
Parties to the Hearing:
Parent[s]
South Park School District 2001 Eagle Pride Lane South Park, PA 15129
Representative:
Pro se
Andrew F. Evankovich, Esq. Andrews & Price, LLC
1500 Ardmore Boulevard Suite 506
Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Date of Hearing: September 26, 2016
Date of Decision: October 10, 2016
Hearing Officer: Brian Jason Ford, JD, CHO
Introduction
The South Park School District (District) proposes to move a student with disabilities (Student) from an educational placement located in its middle school to an approved private school for children with disabilities. The Student’s parents (Parents) oppose this change. After negotiations failed, the District requested this hearing, pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. The District seeks an order permitting it to move the Student without the Parents’ consent.1
For reasons discussed below, I find in favor of the District.
Issue
May the District move the Student to a more restrictive setting, without parental consent, in order for the Student to obtain a free appropriate public education (FAPE)?
C-O-South-Park-ODRNo-18020-1617AS