Anyone know the laws on schools and kids with disablities?

[krisy]

Kathianne,if your reading,you would probably know,its right up your alley. Maybe even the lawyers on the board?

My daughter has hearing aids and because of this her teachers have to wear what is called an FM system around their neck so that when they talk,their voice will go right into one of her her hearing aids,which also has a couple of devices hooked onto it to work with what the teacher is wearing.

Last week while taking the FM system backto the office,a very small piece called a reciever fell out of her hand and was lost. The hearing specialist from the county said she would talk to the superintendent about replacing it. He approved the replacement(which I believe he had to because the school is required to provide the equipment by law). Thursday a bill for $500 shows up in the mail from the school district telling us to pay by March 31st!

My problem is not that we have to payfor it(even tho everyone really pushed that she is a very responsible kid),but the tone of the letter with a due date. My daughter is an honor roll student who came home with 4 awards recently for achievement in school. In 5 years, she has never lost or broken a piece of this equipment,whileI was told that many students loose or break it several times in one year. I also found out recently that one of her teachers is NOT wearing the FM system.The same teacher did the same thing last year. The county hearing rep says by law she must and that some teachers do not like them?!! WHAT? What could possibly be the problem with wearing a necklace type device around your neck so that a student can hear?!!!

I like her school a lot because they have actually been great with her and they are all compimentary of her.The hearing rep will talk to the teach about wearing the FM system and I did call the school treasurer and informed him tho that we cannot have $500 by the 31st and he quickly agreed that payments were fine. It has made me really want to research the laws on this subject and I was wondering where to look.

[Mr. P]

Who lost the part? It's not clear.

[jimnyc]

Krisy, check your PM's, I sent you a link which I think may be useful to you.

[krisy]

Who lost the part? It's not clear.

The missing part is called a reciever. Apparently a very important part of the sytem because it's the size of your pinky nail and costs $500! It hooks into another larger box that hooks into her hearing aid.

[ConHog]

Kathianne,if your reading,you would probably know,its right up your alley. Maybe even the lawyers on the board?

My daughter has hearing aids and because of this her teachers have to wear what is called an FM system around their neck so that when they talk,their voice will go right into one of her her hearing aids,which also has a couple of devices hooked onto it to work with what the teacher is wearing.

Last week while taking the FM system backto the office,a very small piece called a reciever fell out of her hand and was lost. The hearing specialist from the county said she would talk to the superintendent about replacing it. He approved the replacement(which I believe he had to because the school is required to provide the equipment by law). Thursday a bill for $500 shows up in the mail from the school district telling us to pay by March 31st!

My problem is not that we have to payfor it(even tho everyone really pushed that she is a very responsible kid),but the tone of the letter with a due date. My daughter is an honor roll student who came home with 4 awards recently for achievement in school. In 5 years, she has never lost or broken a piece of this equipment,whileI was told that many students loose or break it several times in one year. I also found out recently that one of her teachers is NOT wearing the FM system.The same teacher did the same thing last year. The county hearing rep says by law she must and that some teachers do not like them?!! WHAT? What could possibly be the problem with wearing a necklace type device around your neck so that a student can hear?!!!

I like her school a lot because they have actually been great with her and they are all compimentary of her.The hearing rep will talk to the teach about wearing the FM system and I did call the school treasurer and informed him tho that we cannot have $500 by the 31st and he quickly agreed that payments were fine. It has made me really want to research the laws on this subject and I was wondering where to look.

The school is required by law to provide the equipment. Its s stupid law that i hate because one child can bankrupt a school. But its the law.

If you choose to reimburse the school there is no deadline. Who.ever sent that letter is ignorant of the law.

[krisy]

The school is required by law to provide the equipment. Its s stupid law that i hate because one child can bankrupt a school. But its the law.

If you choose to reimburse the school there is no deadline. Who.ever sent that letter is ignorant of the law.


I found out yesterday that the school rents this equipment. It seems to me that would be more expensive than buying it. My daughter's hearing loss was discovered in the first grade.although it's been there since birth. It just took a sharp turn at that point. This means the school is renting this equipment for her whole school career with the exception of kindergarden.

Our friend's and family believe the school should replace the equipment once and after that the parents pay. I completely understand the district wanting us to pay. If several systems are lost or broken in a year from one student,that alone would cost a fortune!Not to mention kids with other disabilites breaking and loosing equipment. I understand these are taxpayer dollars which is why I do not mind myself paying to replace.

I do have a problem with a letter with a due date,but they did back down when I called. I also have a problem with a stubborn ass teacher that won't put the system on so my daughter can hear.

[ConHog]

I found out yesterday that the school rents this equipment. It seems to me that would be more expensive than buying it. My daughter's hearing loss was discovered in the first grade.although it's been there since birth. It just took a sharp turn at that point. This means the school It's renting this equipment for her whole school career with the exception of kindergarden.

Our friend's and family believe the school should replace the equipment once and after that the parents pay. I completely understand the district wanting us to pay. If several systems are lost or broken in a year from one student,that alone would cost a fortune!Not to mention kids with other disabilites breaking and loosing equipment. I understand these are taxpayer dollars which is why I do not mind myself paying to replace.

I do have a problem with a letter with a due date,but they did back down when I called. I also have a problem with a stubborn ass teacher that won't put the system on so my daughter can hear.

It is nore expensive to rent. But it also makes more sense due to upgradings and such. That pretty standard for schools.

If a teacher isnt utilizing the equipment they qre in violatjon of federal law. Id suggest bringing that to the school board

[krisy]

Its s stupid law that i hate because one child can bankrupt a school.




It's not a stupid law.I pay for this in my taxes.I support levies. If my child needs a special piece of equipment,to learn then that's the way it is. It's a schools job to provide the tools. Again,that's why I pay taxes.I will also mention that I buy all my kid's supplies too,and on top of that school fees.

[Trinity]

Take note of the one I highlighted.........

What does Section 504 Prohibit Schools From Doing?

Schools cannot discriminate against your child because of her disability in any way. Examples of illegal discrimination are:


Assuming that your child cannot learn what other children learn simply because he has a certain disability.
Shorter school days for children with disabilities.
Punishing a child for behavior related to a disability. For example, suspending a child who is emotionally disturbed for shouting at a teacher. Or giving a child who can't understand school rules detention for breaking them.
Not allowing children with disabilities to take part in school sports and clubs.
Keeping children who use wheelchairs out of classes and activities because of stairs.
Giving children with disabilities second-rate classrooms and supplies.
Anything else that makes education less valuable for children with disabilities than it is for other children.


http://www.ohiolegalservices.org/public/legal_problem/students-schools/education-accommodation-for-disabilities/qandact_view

I'm still looking for more.....


here's a link to Ohio laws regarding education of children with disabilities.....

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3323

[Trinity]

Kathianne,if your reading,you would probably know,its right up your alley. Maybe even the lawyers on the board?

My daughter has hearing aids and because of this her teachers have to wear what is called an FM system around their neck so that when they talk,their voice will go right into one of her her hearing aids,which also has a couple of devices hooked onto it to work with what the teacher is wearing.

Last week while taking the FM system back to the office,a very small piece called a receiver fell out of her hand and was lost. The hearing specialist from the county said she would talk to the superintendent about replacing it. He approved the replacement(which I believe he had to because the school is required to provide the equipment by law). Thursday a bill for $500 shows up in the mail from the school district telling us to pay by March 31st!

My problem is not that we have to pay for it(even tho everyone really pushed that she is a very responsible kid),but the tone of the letter with a due date. My daughter is an honor roll student who came home with 4 awards recently for achievement in school. In 5 years, she has never lost or broken a piece of this equipment,while I was told that many students loose or break it several times in one year. I also found out recently that one of her teachers is NOT wearing the FM system.The same teacher did the same thing last year. The county hearing rep says by law she must and that some teachers do not like them?!! WHAT? What could possibly be the problem with wearing a necklace type device around your neck so that a student can hear?!!!

I like her school a lot because they have actually been great with her and they are all complimentary of her.The hearing rep will talk to the teach about wearing the FM system and I did call the school treasurer and informed him tho that we cannot have $500 by the 31st and he quickly agreed that payments were fine. It has made me really want to research the laws on this subject and I was wondering where to look.

Ok..... well based on what I have read so far, that equipment is paid for through federal money and grants that the superintendent applies for for each calender year. I could not find anything about a parent covering the cost of equipment that may have been damaged. The only thing I could find was it IS the responsibility of the school to provide this equipment that is what the funding is for.....

So I am going to have to call bullshit on this one......... and I would contact the superintendent throw a couple of the laws at him listed in the Ohio law link I gave you and see how fast he back peddles. :coffee:


and on a side note....nothing against nana I know she's responsible.....but just saying...... why would a school allow a child to carry around a $500.00 piece of equipment??? This is starting to smell like .....oh we screwed up, we should not be letting children transport equipment that costs $500.00 around the school...because something might happen to it in the transporting....oh but we did and something happen....hmmm let's send mom and dad a bill and see if we can get them to pay for our screw up. just saying : )

[ConHog]

It's not a stupid law.I pay for this in my taxes.I support levies. If my child needs a special piece of equipment,to learn then that's the way it is. It's a schools job to provide the tools. Again,that's why I pay taxes.I will also mention that I buy all my kid's supplies too,and on top of that school fees.

It is a stupid law. It just makes a blanket requirement that any parent can send any child to a public school and the school is required to accommodate. As an example, the school that I serve as a board member for several years ago had a family move in who's child has severe medical and mental problems . The parents INSISTED that the school take all measures to provide their "child" with an "education" when all parties involved knew that it really amounted to nothing more than baby sitting. I offered to hire an in home specialist at a cost of about $150K a year after all incidentals but that wasn't good enough, the parents took us to court and won. We had to provide the facilities and personnel at school for this child. It cost a little over one million dollars a year for a school that had at that time a 4 million dollar annual budget. Twenty five percent of the budget for ONE child. The poor child died within 3 years of the lawsuit, so almost 4 million dollars a year in taxpayer money WASTED, and for what? This child even if she lived was NEVER going to benefit from any education. We were happy to provide some relief from parenting at their home at a fraction of the cost, but nope couldn't.

So don't tell me it's not a stupid law. It's BULLSHIT.

[krisy]

Ok..... well based on what I have read so far, that equipment is paid for through federal money and grants that the superintendent applies for for each calender year. I could not find anything about a parent covering the cost of equipment that may have been damaged. The only thing I could find was it IS the responsibility of the school to provide this equipment that is what the funding is for.....

So I am going to have to call bullshit on this one......... and I would contact the superintendent throw a couple of the laws at him listed in the Ohio law link I gave you and see how fast he back peddles. :coffee:


and on a side note....nothing against nana I know she's responsible.....but just saying...... why would a school allow a child to carry around a $500.00 piece of equipment??? This is starting to smell like .....oh we screwed up, we should not be letting children transport equipment that costs $500.00 around the school...because something might happen to it in the transporting....oh but we did and something happen....hmmm let's send mom and dad a bill and see if we can get them to pay for our screw up. just saying : )

I don't think any law states who has to pay for broken equipment. My guess is if we don't pay,they hold her diploma in several years when she graduates. I also asked why this equipment was not put in a bag for her to carry back and forth to the office?! Thre is more than one part to this system. NOW the BOE is sending a box to transport the equipment.

My next question to them Monday will be is there insurance carried on this stuff? If it's that expensive,why wouldn't you carry insurance when children are the keepers of it?

[ConHog]

I don't think any law states who has to pay for broken equipment. My guess is if we don't pay,they hold her diploma in several years when she graduates. I also asked why this equipment was not put in a bag for her to carry back and forth to the office?! Thre is more than one part to this system. NOW the BOE is sending a box to transport the equipment.

My next question to them Monday will be is there insurance carried on this stuff? If it's that expensive,why wouldn't you carry insurance when children are the keepers of it?

Psst, they can't hold her diploma if she's met the requirements for graduation either. I know that threats out there all the time. But it's a meaningless threat.

[jimnyc]

It is a stupid law. It just makes a blanket requirement that any parent can send any child to a public school and the school is required to accommodate. As an example, the school that I serve as a board member for several years ago had a family move in who's child has severe medical and mental problems . The parents INSISTED that the school take all measures to provide their "child" with an "education" when all parties involved knew that it really amounted to nothing more than baby sitting. I offered to hire an in home specialist at a cost of about $150K a year after all incidentals but that wasn't good enough, the parents took us to court and won. We had to provide the facilities and personnel at school for this child. It cost a little over one million dollars a year for a school that had at that time a 4 million dollar annual budget. Twenty five percent of the budget for ONE child. The poor child died within 3 years of the lawsuit, so almost 4 million dollars a year in taxpayer money WASTED, and for what? This child even if she lived was NEVER going to benefit from any education. We were happy to provide some relief from parenting at their home at a fraction of the cost, but nope couldn't.

So don't tell me it's not a stupid law. It's BULLSHIT.

Everybody thinks the laws catering to the disabled are stupid.

Until the have a disabled relative. And then you realize that the laws and money ain't shit next to having to deal with the disability. If my tax dollars are to go anywhere, I'd much rather it be towards helping the disabled, as opposed to the welfare and "gimme gimme" people.

[ConHog]

Everybody thinks the laws catering to the disabled are stupid.

Until the have a disabled relative. And then you realize that the laws and money ain't shit next to having to deal with the disability. If my tax dollars are to go anywhere, I'd much rather it be towards helping the disabled, as opposed to the welfare and "gimme gimme" people.

and we/I offered to help Jim. I don't mean to sound cruel about it, but that girl was a vegetable, she couldn't even socialize. I offered to hire a specialist and pay for everything required to take care of their child at their home but that wasn't good enough? I for sure sympathize with people, but asking a school to bankrupt themselves and put other kids' education at risk for one child just isn't right.

[jimnyc]

and we/I offered to help Jim. I don't mean to sound cruel about it, but that girl was a vegetable, she couldn't even socialize. I offered to hire a specialist and pay for everything required to take care of their child at their home but that wasn't good enough? I for sure sympathize with people, but asking a school to bankrupt themselves and put other kids' education at risk for one child just isn't right.

I was speaking in a general sense, not commenting on any single case.

[krisy]

It is a stupid law. It just makes a blanket requirement that any parent can send any child to a public school and the school is required to accommodate. As an example, the school that I serve as a board member for several years ago had a family move in who's child has severe medical and mental problems . The parents INSISTED that the school take all measures to provide their "child" with an "education" when all parties involved knew that it really amounted to nothing more than baby sitting. I offered to hire an in home specialist at a cost of about $150K a year after all incidentals but that wasn't good enough, the parents took us to court and won. We had to provide the facilities and personnel at school for this child. It cost a little over one million dollars a year for a school that had at that time a 4 million dollar annual budget. Twenty five percent of the budget for ONE child. The poor child died within 3 years of the lawsuit, so almost 4 million dollars a year in taxpayer money WASTED, and for what? This child even if she lived was NEVER going to benefit from any education. We were happy to provide some relief from parenting at their home at a fraction of the cost, but nope couldn't.

So don't tell me it's not a stupid law. It's BULLSHIT.

If my tax dollars are paying for that school to accomodate,then they should do it. How many jobs have you had? No offense,but you seem to be an expert in every field.

Also,how many times do you think what happened to you happens? This school gets extra money for my child being deaf!! What the sh*t do you think that money is for?!!!! Not for them to blow on useless garbage,but to get her what she needs. That money from state and federal ALSO comes from my taxes.

I WILL tell you it's not stupid,and don't give me orders again

[ConHog]

I was speaking in a general sense, not commenting on any single case.



And THAT is why I think it's bad law. It just lumps everything into one general rule.

Now obviously in the case I described that is ridiculous. No school should go bankrupt for one child; and then in Krisy's case it's pretty obvious that the requirements are small and the child is capable of being a completely "normal" student with the required assistance.

There should be room for a case by case determination. But there is not under current law.

[krisy]

Psst, they can't hold her diploma if she's met the requirements for graduation either. I know that threats out there all the time. But it's a meaningless threat.

really,quit with the "pssst" .

The school district WILL hold the diploma becasue THIS very district did it to my younger brother's best buddy for school fees not being paid. He paticipated in graduation and got a blank piece of paper. His credits did transfer over to college,but no actual diploma.

[Trinity]

and we/I offered to help Jim. I don't mean to sound cruel about it, but that girl was a vegetable, she couldn't even socialize. I offered to hire a specialist and pay for everything required to take care of their child at their home but that wasn't good enough? I for sure sympathize with people, but asking a school to bankrupt themselves and put other kids' education at risk for one child just isn't right.


I get that and it makes sense..... but you also have to take into account the parents who even if their child is a vegetable and they know deep down the child is not going to learn anything. They still want to know that they did everything in their power to help their child succeed in some way shape or form... even if the only thing that child learned from going to school was how to smile.

[Trinity]

krissy read your pm's

[krisy]

And THAT is why I think it's bad law. It just lumps everything into one general rule.

Now obviously in the case I described that is ridiculous. No school should go bankrupt for one child; and then in Krisy's case it's pretty obvious that the requirements are small and the child is capable of being a completely "normal" student with the required assistance.

There should be room for a case by case determination. But there is not under current law.

Who would decide the case? The school? Not to fair,is it?

[ConHog]

really,quit with the "pssst" .

The school district WILL hold the diploma becasue THIS very district did it to my younger brother's best buddy for school fees not being paid. He paticipated in graduation and got a blank piece of paper. His credits did transfer over to college,but no actual diploma.

ILLEGAL for a high school to do so.

[ConHog]

I get that and it makes sense..... but you also have to take into account the parents who even if their child is a vegetable and they know deep down the child is not going to learn anything. They still want to know that they did everything in their power to help their child succeed in some way shape or form... even if the only thing that child learned from going to school was how to smile.

Schools can't be run off of idealistic hopes. They must focus on realities. Hoping a child will start making good grades won't change anything either.

[ConHog]

Who would decide the case? The school? Not to fair,is it?

That's what school boards and PTAs are for.

[Trinity]

Schools can't be run off of idealistic hopes. They must focus on realities. Hoping a child will start making good grades won't change anything either.


Well actually they do all the time..... they hope this child turns in his homework..... and they hope this child learns how to keep his hands to himself...and they hope this child learns how to finish an assignment on his own and these are the staff memebers.

[ConHog]

Well actually they do all the time..... they hope this child turns in his homework..... and they hope this child learns how to keep his hands to himself...and they hope this child learns how to finish an assignment on his own and these are the staff memebers.

They also take steps to make sure that happens. Not just sit back and trust God to make it happen.

[Trinity]

They also take steps to make sure that happens. Not just sit back and trust God to make it happen.

well based on my personal experience with my son...no they don't sit back they just call me and say in my 25 years of educational experience...I have never had a child like this and have no idea how to deal with him. He was 10 at the time.

[ConHog]

well based on my personal experience with my son...no they don't sit back they just call me and say in my 25 years of educational experience...I have never had a child like this and have no idea how to deal with him. He was 10 at the time.



A teacher called and told you that?

We have a policy at our school. Teachers don't contact parents. They don't send notes home, they don't make phone calls, they don't even make discussions about the children if they happen to see the parents around town, which beings as I live in a rural area happens quite a bit. ALL communications goes through the Vice Principal's office and she determines the course of action or takes it to the superintendant and or school board if necessary. That way everyone stays on the same page.

I think some of you should run for school board and try to make some changes to your schools.

[Trinity]

A teacher called and told you that?

We have a policy at our school. Teachers don't contact parents. They don't send notes home, they don't make phone calls, they don't even make discussions about the children if they happen to see the parents around town, which beings as I live in a rural area happens quite a bit. ALL communications goes through the Vice Principal's office and she determines the course of action or takes it to the superintendant and or school board if necessary. That way everyone stays on the same page.

I think some of you should run for school board and try to make some changes to your schools.

No that was the school principal who called me.... and second I did make some changes it's called homeschooling.

[ConHog]

No that was the school principal who called me.... and second I did make some changes it's called homeschooling.



Well, I hope you and he are happier with homeschooling. Nothing wrong with choosing that route.