Board Talks Field Trips, Oil Tanks and Burden of Proof

Burden of Proof

Board members discussed but did not take action on a motion to support a proposal by the state Department of Education to shift the burden of proof in special education disputes from school districts to parents.

Connecticut is one of only five states (along with Delaware, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia) that does not follow federal standards, but instead places the burden of proof on school districts. 

The policy, according to Superintendent Susan Viccaro, can result in "significant" costs to the district and adopting the federal standards would "level the playing field" in her opinion.

Prior to the board's discussion on the subject, Durham resident Lisa Davenport made her case that the burden should remain on school districts.

"I know I'm not the only parent who has dealt with this. I know I'm not the only parent that has had to come back to the special ed programs and say 'You guys aren't doing what you need to do,'" she said.

Davenport told the board she had spent $14,000 over several years to have her children privately tested, some of which had been reimbursed by the district.

Board members were provided with previous testimony on the subject and asked to review it before making a decision.

The state Board of Education is scheduled to vote on the revision next month.

Field Trips

The board is considering setting aside a percentage of student activity fees at Coginchaug High School to cover the cost of field trips for students unable to afford the trips.

Viccaro said PTA/PTO groups are able to raise money to deal with the issue at each of the district's other five schools, but that there is no such mechanism in place at the high school.

Oil Tanks

The board authorized initial plans to replace oil tanks at Memorial School and Brewster School.

The projects, which are a part of the district's previously approved capital plan, will cost $55,000 and $50,000 respectively.

Going Paperless

Viccaro announced that going forward the board is moving to a paperless system of communicating. She said agendas and other information usually mailed to members would now be emailed.

Check back with Patch for more from Wednesday's Board of Education meeting.