Is Jeff Grisamore really the champion of those that are affected by autism or does he use them as stepping stones in his political career? What is he doing to stop restraint, seclusion, or abuse? What is he doing to make sure that they are receiving the education and services that they are entitled to?
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 24, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
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?
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
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.
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.
Thursday, September 13, 2012
Reporting child abuse | News | Missouri NEA
Reporting child abuse | News | Missouri NEA
If a school district employee knows that a child is being abused by another school district employee they must report it. This is not being done in Lee's Summit.
If a school district employee knows that a child is being abused by another school district employee they must report it. This is not being done in Lee's Summit.