My Son

My Son

Monday, September 17, 2012

Awareity

Awareity

Lawsuits and Deliberate Indifference
Schools and school leaders are not exempt from the litigious society we live in. Therefore, all school personnel must be equipped to take appropriate actions when they know or should know about events of harassment, intimidation, bullying, cyberbullying, sexual assault, etc.

Recent settlements and pending lawsuits are establishing precedents school leaders should take very 
seriously to prevent devastating harm to their school’s bottom line, reputation and the community too.
For example, the town of South Hadley (Massachusetts) paid $225,000 to the parents of Phoebe Prince (who committed suicide after being bullied by classmates). This settlement did not include legal fees incurred when six former classmates were charged in connection with Phoebe’s treatment at school. More recently, the Emerson Board of Education (New Jersey) settled a lawsuit brought by a former student who said bullying linked to his perceived sexual orientation over a six-year period was ignored by school administrators. The student will receive $130,000 from the Bergen County School District.

A pending lawsuit filed by the mother of Seth Walsh (who committed suicide after being bullied by 
classmates) against the Tehachapi Unified School District (TUSD) is one all school leaders should be watching closely. The lawsuit was filed using the results of a federal investigation by the Department of Justice and Department of Education that found TUSD “failed to act in an appropriate manner” even though the school was aware of the harassment towards Seth Walsh. Our greatest opportunities often occur during times of adversity, and making a difference for student safety will not happen until status quo approaches, excuses and acts of deliberate indifference are eliminated. Can your school afford a legal settlement of $130,000, $225,000 or more?

State to pay $4.4 million in landmark settlement

Advisen FPN


State to pay $4.4 million in landmark settlement [The Honolulu Star-Advertiser]

Aug. 29--The state has agreed to pay $4.4 million to settle a landmark lawsuit filed by a couple who alleged the Department of Education failed to provide their daughters with appropriate autism-specific services during the girls' formative years in the 1990s.
Attorneys say the suit could have far-reaching implications for other cases filed on behalf of special-needs students who have not received a free, appropriate public education, as federal law requires.
"Clearly, school districts are on notice that a denial of meaningful access for kids can expose them to significant damages," said Susan Dorsey, lead attorney for the Levin Education Access Project, a nonprofit that assisted the family with the case.
"The rest of the country will be looking at this decision. It's a huge victory for children."

Lee's Summit did this to my son.  I wonder if I should sue them.  I know of many other families that have had the same thing happen in Lee's Summit.  Maybe we should all sue them.

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

Another Republic family prevailed in lawsuit against school district | Springfield News-Leader | news-leader.com

Another Republic family prevailed in lawsuit against school district | Springfield News-Leader | news-leader.com

News-Leader files lawsuit against Republic schools, says Sunshine Law was violated | Springfield News-Leader | news-leader.com

News-Leader files lawsuit against Republic schools, says Sunshine Law was violated | Springfield News-Leader | news-leader.com

Republic school district paid $185,000 to settle suit by student | Springfield News-Leader | news-leader.com

Republic school district paid $185,000 to settle suit by student | Springfield News-Leader | news-leader.com

Locked Away: Students Say Seclusion Doesn't Help | StateImpact Ohio

Locked Away: Students Say Seclusion Doesn't Help | StateImpact Ohio

City schools avoid suit, hand over ‘seclusion room’ files | The Columbus Dispatch

City schools avoid suit, hand over ‘seclusion room’ files | The Columbus Dispatch

Faces of Autism: Does your school have a secret history of abusing disabled children? Find out here - National special education | Examiner.com

Faces of Autism: Does your school have a secret history of abusing disabled children? Find out here - National special education | Examiner.com

Beth Kassab: Rate of physical restraints in schools is alarming - Orlando Sentinel

Beth Kassab: Rate of physical restraints in schools is alarming - Orlando Sentinel

A Terrifying Way to Discipline Children - NYTimes.com

A Terrifying Way to Discipline Children - NYTimes.com

Won't Back Down - Official Trailer HD (2012) - YouTube

Won't Back Down - Official Trailer HD (2012) - YouTube