Source: http://www.sro.nysed.gov/decisionindex/2004/04-018.htm
Timestamp: 2018-02-25 03:57:40
Document Index: 569905216

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1415', '§ 300', '§ 300', '§ 300', '§ 300', '§ 300']

The hearing reconvened on January 28, 2004. The student's mother again asserted her desire to withdraw the hearing request without prejudice (Transcript pp. 1178-79), and indicated that she had in fact withdrawn the request (Transcript pp. 1185, 1186, 1188, 1199, 1255). She argued that as a result, the hearing officer was required to terminate the hearing (Transcript p. 1181), and that the hearing was therefore over (Transcript p. 1182). In response, the hearing officer reconsidered his January 16, 2004 denial of their motion to withdraw their request for a hearing (see Transcript pp. 1190, 1191, 1192, 1193, 1256) and asked that petitioners provide him with a written submission with respect to that question by February 5, 2004 (Pet. Ex. F; Transcript p. 1344). He also extended petitioners' time to respond to the summary judgment motion until that date (Transcript p. 1344)
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires certain procedures to be in place to safeguard the right of children with disabilities to a FAPE (see 20 U.S.C. § 1415). A parent or school district may initiate a hearing to present complaints regarding the identification, evaluation, or educational placement of the child, or the provision of a FAPE to such child (see 34 C.F.R. § 300.507; 8 NYCRR 200.5[i][1]). Hearing rights include the entitlement to be accompanied and advised by counsel and by individuals with special knowledge or training with respect to the problems of children with disabilities, and to present evidence and confront, cross-examine, and compel the attendance of witnesses (see 34 C.F.R. § 300.509[a][1], [2]; see also, 8 NYCRR 200.5[i][3][vii], [xi]). A hearing officer is appointed to preside at a hearing and provide all parties an opportunity to present evidence and testimony (8 NYCRR 200.5[i][3][vi]). A hearing officer must be fair and impartial and must avoid giving even the appearance of impropriety or prejudice (Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 03-071; Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 02-118; Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 01-046). The hearing procedures must be consistent with the requirements of due process (34 C.F.R. § 300.510 [b][2][ii]). A hearing officer may not accept appointment unless he or she is available to initiate the hearing within the first 14 days of being contacted by the school district (8 NYCRR 200.5[i][3][i][b]). Also, the hearing officer must see that the hearing is conducted and completed, and that a decision is issued not later than 45 days after a request for a hearing is received by the board of education (34 C.F.R. § 300.511[a]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[i][4]), unless the hearing officer receives and grants a request from one of the parties for an "extension" of the regulatory time frame (34 C.F.R. § 300.511[c]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[i][4][i]). A hearing officer is therefore required to make, on a case-by-case basis, reasonable decisions as to the scheduling of hearing dates that comport with the policies of affording due process and the timely resolution of disagreements about appropriate services for a child with a disability. A hearing officer therefore may have to decide whether to grant a request for an adjournment of a hearing date and rescheduling within the 45 day time frame, or decide whether to grant an “extension” beyond the 45 day time frame that takes into consideration the interests of due process and timely completion of hearings. In granting an adjournment, a hearing officer should consider the requirement to complete the hearing and issue a decision within mandated timelines (34 C.F.R. 300.511[a]; 8 NYCRR 200.5[i][4]). In appropriate circumstances, short adjournment periods may be granted without compromising mandated timelines. However, a hearing officer may decline to grant unreasonable or extensive adjournments (see Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 00-015; Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 96-43; Application of a Child with a Disability, Appeal No. 95-73; Application of a Child Suspected of Having a Handicapping Condition, Appeal No. 91-5).