Rocky River Montessori School Sued For Kicking Out Autistic Student: Records

The U.S. Justice Department is getting behind a Cleveland Heights woman’s lawsuit against Ruffling Montessori School for supposedly kicking out her autistic son for the 2015-16 school year, according to court documents obtained by cleveland.com.

The lawsuit goes back to September, when an administrator told Rebekah McClelland that her son, Manny DeJesus IV, was unable to return for the coming school year. The school administration said that the decision was made because class size was too large to accommodate her son’s needs, according to court records.

The Justice Department entered the case on March 9, with records accusing the school of violating the Americans with Disabilities Act. Due to the Department’s involvement, the school could pay a civil penalty and monetary damages if ruled in McClelland’s favor. The Department’s decision to get involved also could give some credence to the distraught mother’s accusations.

In a statement provided to cleveland.com from the school’s attorney, they state “Ruffing Montessori believes that at all times it complied with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act as to all of its current and former students. Ruffing Montessori looks forward to addressing the allegations of this lawsuit in court."

Ruffling Montessori has not formally responded to the lawsuit, but have a motion pending to dismiss the case.

McClelland and her two autistic sons have moved to a new home so they can attend the Lillian and Betty Ratner School in Pepper Pike. McClelland told Cleveland.com that she hopes the lawsuit will make her family whole again.