Court Opinion

ID: 9704833
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 00:47:45.142147+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:05.727157
License: Public Domain

Dissenting Opinion
by Judge Barry:
I respectfully disagree with the majority’s conclusion that the instant case is controlled by Lindsay v. Thomas, 77 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 171, 465 A.2d 122 (1983). Although the factual situation in this case is very similar to that presented in Lindsay, the two cases are based on entirely different legal theories. Lindsay’s claim was based on the schools alleged violation of the special education privisions found in Sections 1371 and 1372 of the Public School Code of 1949 (School Code), Act of March 10, 1949, P.L. 30, as amended, 24 P.S. §§13-1371—13-1372. The present action, on the other hand, is based strictly on a theory of common law negligence. Our refusal, in Lindsay, to recognize a private cause of action arising from a breach of the special education provisions of the School Code, has no bearing on the validity of the case at hand.
Aubrey v. School District of Philadelphia, 63 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 330, 437 A.2d 1306 (1981), is also distinguishable and, therefore, not controlling. In that case, the parents of a high school senior who failed a sex education class and was required to complete a summer course before receiving her diploma, filed a lawsuit against the school district essentially alleging that the school’s educational program was a gross violation of public policy. This Court classified the suit as an educational malpractice claim and dismissed it on grounds that the courtroom is not the proper forum for parents to challenge the school’s educational policies and its implementation of those policies.
*500Unlike Aubrey, the case at hand does not question the schools educational policies. It is based solely on common law principles of negligence which allegedly were violated by psychologists, counselors and teachers when they failed to properly diagnose and properly place Agostine. The facts giving rise to this cause of action are in the nature of medical rather than educational malpractice. The pleadings focus on the specific negligent acts of certain school employees rather than challenging educational policies of the school district.
For these reasons, I believe the decision of the common pleas court must be reversed and this cause of action must be reinstated pursuant to Ayala v. Philadelphia Board of Public Education, 453 Pa. 584, 305 A.2d 877 (1973).