Complaint Summary
Date Findings Report Sent:
April 10, 2026
Case Number:
26-0435
Grade Level:
Middle school
Person filing complaint:
Parent
School District:
Fairfield Public Schools
Allegation(s):
- The Parents allege that the District failed to provide them with a copy of the Student’s November 14, 2025, IEP and December 10, 2025, IEP within 5 days of the PPT meetings.The Parents also allege that the documents had multiple errors.(RCSA § 10-76d-13(a)(6))
- According to the Parents, they were “pigeonholed” into the December 10, 2025, date for a PPT meeting even though it was not ideal for their family.(34 CFR 300.322 (a)(2))
- According to the Parents’ complaint, the PPT did not discuss the Student’s transition services at the November 14, 2025, meeting, even though that discussion was scheduled to occur. Instead, transition services were first addressed at the December 10, 2025, PPT meeting. Therefore, the December 10, 2025 meeting was the first actual opportunity for the team to discuss and agree upon the Student’s transition services.(34 CFR § 300.503 and RCSA §10-76d-8)
Conclusion(s):
- The IEP for the November 14, 2025, PPT meeting was generated in CT-SEDS on November 25, 2025, and therefore the Parents did not receive a copy of the IEP for six school days following the PPT meeting. Additionally, the IEP had numerous mistakes that were identified by the Parent that needed to be corrected prior to implementation.The IEP from the December 10, 2025, PPT meeting was generated in CT-SEDS on December 17, 2025, four school days following the meeting.The lack of a revised IEP is a violation of RCSA § 10-76d-13(a)(6) which requires a full copy of the individualized education program to be sent to the parents within five days after the planning and placement team meeting to develop, review or revise the individualized education program. Corrective action is required.
- The documented communications demonstrate that the District took appropriate steps to ensure meaningful parent participation in the PPT process. After the Parent requested a PPT meeting on December 2, 2025, the District promptly responded, confirmed necessary logistical details, and offered multiple meeting dates. The Parents selected one of the proposed dates—December 10, 2025—indicating that the scheduling options provided were workable and mutually agreeable. The District also made clear that, had the proposed dates not worked, they were willing to collaborate further to find an alternative time. In addition, the Parents were offered flexibility regarding the meeting format, including in-person, virtual, or hybrid participation.
Together, these actions reflect that the District made reasonable efforts to facilitate the Parents’ involvement and ensured that they had an opportunity to participate in the PPT meeting. Therefore, there is no violation of 34 CFR 300.322 (a)(2). No corrective action is required.
- In this case, the PWN concerning the December 11, 2025, PPT meeting is insufficient because it doesn't accurately reflect what occurred at the meeting.According to the IEP, the team was going to develop, review, or revise transition goals and objectives.Although goals and objectives were originally created at the November PPT, they were revised at the December PPT meeting.However, the Parents requested additional transitional services that were denied.The District’s refusal of additional support in the area of transition services should have prompted a PWN.Therefore, the District is in violation of 34 CFR § 300.503 and RCSA §10-76d-8.Corrective action is required.
Corrective Action(s):
- The District must review with Tomlinson Middle School’s PPT meeting chairs and special education and related service providers, including the chair at the PPT meeting held on November 14, 2025, the RCSA § 10-76d-13(a)(6) timeline requirements as well as the required documents in CT-SEDS for PPT meetings. This office must be provided a list of trainers and participants on or before May 15, 2026. Additionally, the District must provide this office with the names of five Tomlinson Middle School students who’s PPTs meet after the training and no later than June 30, 2026, so that this office may review the generation and finalization dates of the IEPs via the state electronic IEP platform, CT-SEDS, to ensure compliance with RCSA timeline requirements.
- The District must review with Tomlinson Middle School’s PPT meeting chairs and special education and related service providers, including the chair at the PPT meeting held on December 11, 2025, PWN requirements. This office must be provided a list of trainers and participants on or before May 15, 2026.