Category Archives: Special Education
Rosemont SD78 Opposes Norridge SD80 Withdrawl From Leyden Area Special Education CoOp (LASEC)
At last night’s Rosemont School District 78, the Board had placed on their agenda (see link http://www.rosemont78.org/vimages/shared/vnews/stories/5988a8c8ca5a6/12-11-17publicboardagenda.pdf ) an action item that the Rosemont School Board voted on whether to approve the Resolution of School District 80’s request … Continue reading
In a recent guidance letter, the federal Office of Special Education Programs (“OSEP”) explained that a local educational agency (“LEA”) may not condition holding an IEP meeting on a parent’s attorney not participating or on the parent providing prior notice of its intent to invite the attorney. Letter to Andel, 116 LRP 8548 (February 17, 2016). In Letter to Andel, OSEP reiterated its longstanding position that the attendance of attorneys at IEP meetings “should be strongly discouraged” due to the potential for creating an adversarial atmosphere. Despite this position, OSEP pointed out that IDEA’s implementing regulations permit a parent or an LEA to invite to the IEP meeting individuals with special expertise regarding the child. However, while the regulations require the LEA to notify the parent in advance regarding who will attend an IEP meeting, there is no corresponding obligation on the part of the parent. OSEP stated that in the “spirit of cooperation,” the parent should inform the LEA ahead of time if he/she intends to bring an attorney. Often times, attorneys, as a matter of professional courtesy, will notify the LEA or its attorney if they intend on participating in an IEP meeting. However, there is nothing in the IDEA or its implementing regulations that would permit an LEA to conduct an IEP meeting on the condition that the parent’s attorney not participate. Therefore, when a parent unexpectedly brings his/her attorney to an IEP meeting, OSEP explained that it would be permissible for an LEA to reschedule the meeting to another date and time so that it could include its own attorney under the following circumstances: (1) the parent agrees to reschedule, and (2) the postponement does not result in a delay or denial of FAPE to the child.
Local School Districts Have To Now Pay Some Additional Teacher Pension Costs
In conjunction with this week’s passage of a state budget for fiscal year 2018, the Illinois General Assembly approved a new law that significantly changes the Illinois Pension Code by creating an optional “Tier III” benefit structure and changing the … Continue reading
Leyden High School District 212 Has Embarked on “the beginning of a historic construction project” Paid for By the Leyden Taxpayers
On May 18th, a ground breaking was held for the construction and renovation project at West Leyden, with additional construction and renovation projects planned for East Leyden. You can follow the construction projects at : East Leyden : … Continue reading
What It Really Means To Be A Leader
A little food for thought… A group of wolves: The three in front are old & sick, they walk in front to set the pace of the running group lest they get left behind. The next five are the strongest … Continue reading →