Foster's Editorial:
Article published Jul 19, 2010
OR IDEA case went too far
Depending on how you look at it, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act has been a blessing or a burden — albeit a just one.
For parents, it has been a godsend in helping their children overcome debilitating handicaps. For school districts, it has been expensive and time consuming.
But in either case, IDEA has been in place long enough that the Oyster River School District should not have found itself being ordered to pay out $50,000 to settle a dispute over when Miles Brady would be able to graduate.
The telling admission that the case should never have gone this far appeared in Thursday's report in Foster's Daily Democrat when the district conceded Brady's individual education plan would not be met in time for an January graduation, rather than one in June.
IEPs, as they are called, are worked out between the district and families. For the most part they are mutually agreed upon plans to address a student's handicaps.
It is hard to believe the district didn't know Brady's IEP had not been met before being dragged before Hearing Officer John LeBrun. IDEA has been in place too long for district officials to make such an expensive mistake.
And for what? A few months of classroom time?
This should absolutely be the final straw and Howard Colter should be fired. Does the School Board have the courage to do this?
ReplyDeleteMost of the time, the public does not have insight into these kinds of cases. It is important that administrators entrusted with our tax dollars, handle these matters with a sense of fiscal responsibility. Perhaps the public will think twice about up-dating technology at the SAU office. The SAU could have had state of the art technology installed with the money they so foolishly wasted on this case.
ReplyDeleteThe SAU two years ago spent $74,000 MORE on less-capable, obsolete technology from a vendor who just happened to be a former employee of the Distrct.
ReplyDeleteWhat makes you think they give a rat's ass about fiscal responsibility?
I firmly believe that it is imperative that our school board demand an explanation from Howard and Meredith. They need to be held accountable and questioned in the handling of this case (and perhaps others that haven't made the newspaper). The silence of the board is just as inexcusable as the incompetence of our administrators. Perhaps the board as been silenced by Howard?
ReplyDeleteIt is almost like Howard and Joann have cast a spell over the Board. How can two people be so manipulative and controlling? Why isn't the Board asking Howard for an explanation?
ReplyDeleteMy brother was home for a few days and watched a school board meeting and he could not understand the attacks Joanne was making at Henry. He also mentioned Jennifer taking sides with Joanne all the time. He thought Henry was doing well with the attacks and handled them with tact. Interesting for an outsider just watching one board meeting and seeing the "non" unity of our board.
ReplyDeleteOne should ask, how many other disputes are going on at Oyster River?
ReplyDeleteWe need to hold administration accountable; they have to be able to understand that taxpayers will not tolerate the out of control spending in our annual budget. There has been a lot of talk about transparency and cases like Brady’s will serve to be useful if our administrators reform their way of doing business. Howard Colter and Mark Townsend, under the guise of Town business, sought to involve lawyers to do their ‘dirty work.’ In the Brady case, they also used lawyers to try and bully the family into graduating their son early. Anyone else tired of the bullying? Transparency is the key to reform and internal regulatory control. Our administrators’ use of lawyers to bully is a huge waste of time and money. I hope everyone in our community will support a more transparent agenda because it appears that our administration has a sweet tooth; we taxpayers turn our backs for a minute and they have their hands in the cookie jar.
ReplyDeleteInteresting title: Nation wide News- The Brady case is being picked up by various websites on the internet.
ReplyDeleteThe following web address included "Nationwide News" in the headline.
http://marin.networkofcare.org/aging/news/detail.cfm?articleID=29533
Nationwide News
District Pays
Out to Parents
Foster's Daily Democrat (Dover, NH) - July 20, 2010
Others picking up the Foster's article include:
http://dailyme.com/story/2010071900001901/editorial-idea-case.html
http://behavioralhealthcentral.com/index.php/20100715231662/Inside-Scoop/oyster-river-pays-50g-settlement-over-early-graduation-fosters-daily-democrat-dover-nh.html
When will our Board wake up & hold Colter accountable? Isn't this enough to get rid of him finally?
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight. Constituants are asking their elected officials to look into Colters actions. What are the elected officials doing to respond to these requests?
ReplyDeleteI have not seen anyone question our great educators, simply the so called leader of our district. Why are our elected officials ignoring these requests?
Usually things trickle from the top down. That's why we need to look at the highest leader and analyze. I know we have great teachers and not as great teachers but leadership comes from above. That's where our district should be looking.....And the elected officials SHOULD be asking more questions and getting more information. The public would do better is we were more informed with what is going on.
ReplyDeleteIf any School Board members are reading this, will you please begin questioning the actions of Howard Colter? People are asking for this and it is time for some answers. Please do not ignore the residents like Colter does. That is the source of many of the problems in this district.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that Meredith Nadeau has forced other students to graduate early. Oyster River appears to be trying to set a precedent for not providing disabled students with an appropriate transition plan. I am pleased that the Brady's held them accountable through a due process hearing.
ReplyDeleteYour understanding is correct (above blogger).
ReplyDeleteColter praised Meredith Nadeau and her valuable services to special education in our school district........HOGWASH!! He should have scolded her and apologized for all they have cost tax payers in legal fees.
ReplyDelete