LAUREL SPRINGS SCHOOL DISTRICT

 

Section 504 Policy                                                                                                Policy #6171.19

____________________________________________________________________________

I.          Section 504 Policy

 

A.                 Policy Statements

 

                        It is the intent of the Laurel Springs Board of Education to provide a free and appropriate public education to each student with a disability within its jurisdiction regardless of the nature or severity of the disability.

 

It is further the intent of the district to ensure that each student with a disability within the meaning of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is identified, evaluated, and provided with reasonable accommodations and adaptations to ensure appropriate educational services.

 

B.                 Definitions of Eligible Students

 

Under this policy, a student with a disability is one who:

 

1.                  Has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including learning, breathing, hearing, seeing, speaking, walking, working, self-care, or other specified areas.

 

2.                  Has a record of such an impairment; or

 

3.                  Is regarded as having such an impairment. [34 C.F.R. Section 104.3 (j) and (k)]

 

Students in need or are believed to need reasonable accommodations within the general education program or are believed to need regular or special education services are addressed under this policy.   A student may be identified with a disability under Section 504 and this policy even though the student does not require special education programs and services pursuant to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

 

Students who are identified as eligible for special education programs and services according to the IDEA criteria are not addressed under this policy.  The needs of such students are provided for elsewhere under state and federal law, and the Laurel Springs School District Special Education Program.

 

C.                 504 Process

 

                        1.         Parent, Intervention Team, or staff member initiates Section 504 referral.

 

2.         Intervention Team reviews case, schedules multi-source evaluation and data collection procedures.

 

                        3.         Intervention Team Meets, reviews data from multi-source evaluation.  Parents are notified of meeting.

 

4.         The Intervention Team determines eligibility and notifies parents of their decision and Section 504 procedural     safeguards.

 

5.         If the Intervention Team identifies a student as eligible under Section 504, the team develops a 504 accommodation plan and identifies the person(s) responsible for implementing, monitoring, and supporting the plan.  Also, there should be a periodical review of the plan.

 

            D.            Time Guidelines

 

                                    1.         A meeting will be scheduled within 20 calendar days following receipt of a written request from the parent.

 

                         2.        The 504 Coordinator or designee will, not later than 30 calendar days after the meeting, do the following:

 

                                    a.  reach a final decision regarding the request

                                    b.  generate appropriate accommodations

c.  send a copy of the decision to each party with a copy of parental rights

           

3.         In the absence of an appeal, the 504 accommodation plan will be implemented within 15 school days unless there are extenuating circumstances.

 

            E.            Grievance Procedure

 

                        1.         A complaint may be filed alleging a specific violation of the expressed terms of this policy.

 

                        2.         The grievant is encouraged to discuss their specific concerns orally and with the district Section 504 coordinator before they put their concerns in writing.

 

                        3.         If the complaint is put in writing, it is to be signed by the grievant and also include the grievant’s full name, address and contact (telephone) number.

                    

                        4.         The Section 504 Coordinator or designee will meet with the person who filed the written complaint and conduct a reasonable investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the complaint.  A meeting date with the grievant will be established within 10 work days of the receipt of the written complaint unless there are extenuating reasons.

 

                        5.         The grievant is to receive a written response (decision) from the Section 504 coordinator including any action to be taken (if any) within fourteen (14) calendar days after the meeting held with the grievant.

 

                        6.         If the written response of the Section 504 Coordinator does not satisfy the grievant, then the decision can be appealed in writing to the Superintendent.  The Superintendent may conduct additional investigation of the facts and circumstances surrounding the complaint.

 

                        7.         Upon receipt of a Section 504 complaint appeal, the Superintendent will issue his written decision to the grievant within fourteen (14) calendar days.

                                                           

 

First Reading:            February 2008

Adopted: