Judge says district’s response was ‘grossly inadequate’; Family to get $125,000

From the Charlotte [NC] Observer:

Eleven-year-old Brandon Hawkins and his younger brother Jeremy have Batten disease. The rare neurological condition causes steady deterioration of vision, strength, and mental capacity, and often leads to an early death. It has no cure.

Ever since Brandon was in kindergarten, his parents have been fighting with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School District (CMS) about his right to special education services. The district said Brandon did not fit in any of its categories. The family alleged discrimination based on disability.

After a federal judge rebuked CMS for what he called “malignant arrogant indifference”, the district settled the case for $125,000. It will also pay almost $64,000 in legal fees. The family has moved to another district where their mother says the boys are thriving.

This entry was posted on Monday, June 29th, 2009 at 9:51 pm and is filed under discrimination, families, genetics, law, special education. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.