Greenwich 26-0714

Complaint Summary

Date Findings Report Sent

  • July 17, 2026

Case Number

  • 26-0714

School District

  • Greenwich Public Schools

Person filing complaint

  • Parent

Grade Level

  • Middle School

Allegation(s)

  • The Parent alleges that despite evidence that the Student was struggling (i.e., Parent’s concerns, attendance issues, lack of progress, behavioral data), the District failed to adequately address the Student’s emotional needs during the 2025-2026 school year. (34 CFR §§ 300.324(a)(1), 300.324(a)(2)(i), and 300.324(b)(1))

Conclusion(s)

  • The evidence demonstrates that the District took multiple steps throughout the 2025-2026 school year to identify and address the Student’s emotional needs. PPT meetings were regularly convened, Parent concerns were consistently sought out and discussed, and evaluations were proposed, completed, and reviewed to identify the Student’s needs. The District also implemented a behavior support plan, consulted with a BCBA, completed an FBA and subsequent BIP, and provided ongoing outreach through the SSW including check-ins, home visits, referrals, and resource sharing. Therefore, the District is in compliance with 34 CFR § 300.324(a). However, evidence also demonstrates that despite the District’s consideration of Parent concerns and the use of positive behavioral interventions and supports, the District did not make revisions to the Student’s IEP with the appropriate degree or timeliness in response to ongoing chronic absenteeism, and the lack of progress toward annual goals and objectives and in the general education curriculum. Although services such as counseling and consultations were included in the IEP, the frequency and duration of these services remained largely unchanged despite months of documented non-attendance, disengagement, and Parent requests for additional assistance. Given the Student’s ongoing attendance issues, failure to respond to existing interventions, and continued emotional needs, the District did not revise the IEP as required under 34 CFR § 300.324(b)(1). Therefore, the District is in violation and corrective action will follow.

Corrective Action(s)

  • The District must convene a PPT meeting no later than September 15, 2026, for the following purposes: a. Explore underlying causes of school refusal, identify barriers, and consider if additional information is needed for developing the IEP, commission targeted assessments, and if warranted, a revised Behavior Intervention Plan; b. Review the Student’s IEP progress data and evaluations and revise the IEP to accurately reflect current performance, needs, and services.
  • The District is required to provide training to all PPT members who are school employees on legal requirements under 34 CFR § 300.324(b)(1), to include data-based decision-making and the necessity of revisions based upon a Student’s lack of progress toward annual goals and objectives and in the general curriculum. This training may be incorporated into regular staff professional development. An agenda for the training, along with a list of attendees, must be submitted to this office. The training must be completed no later than September 30, 2026.