G.D. et al v. WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT

Filing 25

MEMORANDUM AND/OR OPINION. SIGNED BY HONORABLE MARK A. KEARNEY ON 8/18/2017. 8/18/2017 ENTERED AND COPIES E-MAILED.(sg, )

IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

G.D., et al.
v.
WEST CHESTER AREA SCHOOL
DISTRICT

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CIVIL ACTION
No. 17-969

MEMORANDUM
KEARNEY, J.

August 18, 2017

Parents M.D. and K.D. sue West Chester Area School District for failing to provide
special education services for their intellectually gifted child G.D. They argue G.D. has a
specific reading disability because she has not made progress they believe she should have made
commensurate with the abilities of an intellectually gifted child. Parents also argue G.D.’s
diagnosed anxiety constitutes a disability making her eligible for special education services.
A hearing officer found for the District based on an extensive administrative record.
Parents sued, and with their consent, we now consider cross-motions for judgment on the
administrative record and separately consider the District’s motion for summary judgment on
claims not raised before the hearing officer but based on the same facts. After reviewing the
administrative record and briefing, we enter the accompanying Order granting the District’s
motion for judgment as we find the hearing officer did not err in finding for the District under the
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (“IDEA”) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act
(“Section 504”) and the Parents did not adduce genuine issues of material fact precluding
summary judgment for the District on the Americans with Disabilities Act (“ADA”) claim.

I.

Background1
G.D. is an eleven-year-old student diagnosed with anxiety and symptoms of obsessive

compulsive disorder.2 On January 7, 2016, Parents removed G.D., then in third grade, from the
District after being dissatisfied with its handling of G.D.’s anxiety and educational issues.
Parents placed G.D. in the private Willistown Country Day School (“Willistown”) for the
remainder of the 2015-2016 third grade school year and for the 2016-2017 fourth grade school
year.
On May 27, 2016, Parents filed an administrative due process complaint against the
District with the Office of Dispute Resolution of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.3
Parents alleged G.D. qualifies for services under IDEA4 and Section 5045 because of G.D.’s
specific learning disability in reading and her anxiety in the school environment.6 Parents sought
tuition reimbursement for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years spent at Willistown under
IDEA.7
Hearing Officer William F. Culleton, Jr., Esquire held a due process hearing over four
days.8 Hearing Officer Culleton identified four issues: (1) whether the District failed to perform
its “child find” obligations under the IDEA and Section 504 during G.D.’s second and third
grade years; (2) whether the District failed to offer and provide a free appropriate public
education (“FAPE”) during G.D.’s second and third grade years; (3) whether Willistown is an
appropriate placement for G.D.; and (4) considering the equities, should the hearing officer order
the District to reimburse Parents for all or any part of the tuition Parents have paid on account of
G.D.’s placement in Willistown for part of the 2015-2016 school year and for the entire 20162017 school year.

2

On December 5, 2016, after considering the evidence before him and making credibility
determinations based on the testimony adduced at the hearing, Hearing Officer Culleton issued
his decision finding Parents failed to meet their burden of proving a violation of the District’s
“child find” obligations under IDEA or Section 504 and failed to meet their burden of proving
the District denied G.D. a FAPE under either IDEA or Section 504.9 Hearing Officer Culleton
denied Parents’ request for tuition reimbursement and dismissed the action. Because he found
no deprivation of a FAPE under either the IDEA or Section 504, Hearing Officer Culleton did
not reach the questions of whether Willistown is an appropriate placement and whether the
equities require tuition reimbursement. 10
Parents challenge Hearing Officer Culleton’s decision the District offered and provided a
FAPE to G.D. in third grade. Parents argue if G.D. is found IDEA eligible, and they suggest we
should find her eligible, Westtown-Thornbury is an inappropriate placement as a matter of law
because the District did not have an appropriate IEP in place to deal with her documented
educational needs and anxiety. Parents argue Willistown is the appropriate placement for G.D.
Both parties filed cross-motions for judgment on the administrative record before
Hearing Officer Culleton.11 The District also moved for summary judgment on the ADA claim.
A.

G. D. is diagnosed with anxiety and identified as intellectually gifted.

In 2011, at four-years old, G.D. began treating with Stephanie Drabble, a clinical social
worker, for anxiety.12 On Ms. Drabble’s advice and approval, Parents enrolled G.D. in public
school for the 2013-2014 school year to help with her anxiety and socialization.13 G.D. entered
first grade in the Great Valley School District (“Great Valley”). Great Valley evaluated G.D.
and, finding she experienced anxiety in the school environment, issued a Section 504 Service
Agreement.14
3

Great Valley additionally evaluated G.D. for gifted services and issued a Gifted
Individualized Education Plan (“GIEP”) in reading and math. 15 G.D. adjusted well to public
school but experienced some issues with “problematic behaviors during the second half of first
grade.”16
B.

G.D. begins second grade in the District.

G.D. subsequently moved from Great Valley and into the West Chester School District.
G.D. began second grade at Westtown-Thornbury Elementary School (“Westtown-Thornbury”)
for the 2014-2015 school year.

17

The District implemented a new Section 504 Service

Agreement due to G.D.’s anxiety in school.18
The District tested G.D. in July 2014 before second grade. 19 Although instructed in
reading at the third grade level while attending first grade, this July 2014 testing indicated
reading at a second grade level.20 A Critical Reading Inventory performed several weeks later
showed G.D. reading at a fourth grade level with no areas of concern. 21 The District provided
G.D. with a GIEP in second grade for reading only.22
Parents did not feel G.D.’s academic performance in second grade met her potential;
Parents felt G.D.’s grades in Language Arts fell below what she should have achieved given
receipt of gifted services.23 G.D.’s grades in Language Arts ranged from 2 to 4, with an
improvement in performance in all areas from the first to fourth quarters.24 G.D. performed
similarly in math, receiving scores between 2 and 4, and demonstrating improvement from the
first to the fourth quarter.25 Despite Parents’ concerns about G.D.’s performance, G.D.’s second
grade teacher did not have a concern with G.D.’s reading abilities.26 G.D.’s Section 504 Services
Agreement identified accommodations including verbal cues provided by her teacher to “slow
down” on in-class work and take time on tests and quizzes, read all directions, and check work.27
4

Parents and the District disagree on G.D.’s social functioning in second grade.28
Although Parents admit G.D.’s second grade teacher did not recall problems between G.D. and
her peers and never witnessed any bullying towards her, Parents contend another student bullied
and had social conflicts with G.D.29
C. G.D. begins third grade in the District.
G.D. entered third grade in the District for the 2015-2016 school year.30 The District
continued to implement a Section 504 Service Agreement to address G.D.’s anxiety issues. 31 The
District performed a Critical Reading Inventory in September 2015 which assessed G.D.’s
reading at the third grade level with some areas assessed as “needs improvement.”32 The District
placed G.D. in a grade level group for reading, but prepared a GIEP for her in math.33
In the first marking period of third grade, G.D. received grades ranging from a B+ to
A+.34 G.D.’s student progress report for the second marking period ranged from B to A-.35 G.D.
received a 66% on her reading benchmark assessment; 81% on her math benchmark assessment;
and scored proficient on her writing benchmark assessment.36 The progress report includes her
teacher’s observation G.D. is “an average to above average achiever in all subject areas,” but
“[G.D.] does not always take her time with her work in order to demonstrate her true ability.”37
The student progress report notes G.D. “often has conflicts with the other girls in the class and
will choose to work with the boys instead.”38
At the beginning of the school year, G.D. socialized with other girls in her class without
incident.39 By October, G.D. began having social difficulties with other students in the class.40
On October 27, 2015, Parents contacted Lauren Leary, G.D.’s teacher, to report instances of
other students bullying G.D.41 Ms. Leary was unaware of bullying until contacted by Parents.42

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Ms. Leary considered the instances of bullying “normal girl drama,” and she agreed with an
assessment by G.D.’s therapist, Ms. Drabble.43
Margaret Blacker, the school guidance counselor, and Nora Wheeler, the school
principal, investigated the bullying allegations by interviewing G.D.’s classroom peers and two
students from G.D.’s second grade class.44 The District additionally observed G.D.’s social
interaction with peers and discussed the situation with G.D. who admitted at times she
participated in inappropriate behavior towards her peers.45 The District, relying on Ms. Blaker’s
testimony, asserts G.D. was not the subject of bullying.46 Ms. Blaker testified she did not believe
G.D.’s difficulties constituted bullying because there were no “clearly-defined roles of bully and
victim,” rather, “multiple students were doing and saying things that were unkind or
inappropriate,” including G.D.47
Parents admit District investigated bullying allegations, including G.D.’s admission her
behavior was sometimes inappropriate, but deny the District “effectively dealt with the
situation.”48 Parents contend the District’s failure to effectively handle allegations of bullying
“allowed the situation at school to become so intolerable to G.D. that she had to leave” school.49
On November 23, 2015, Parents met with Ms. Leary, Ms. Blaker, and Ms. Wheeler to
discuss solutions to the bullying problems.50 Parents requested the District re-assign G.D. to
another third grade classroom and evaluate G.D. for eligibility under IDEA. 51 The District
declined to change G.D.’s classroom, concerned a move could create new problems, and instead
determined it would increase observation and social skills instruction for all students in G.D.’s
classroom.52
In early December 2015, Dr. Tammi Florio, the District’s Director of Elementary
Education, raised the possibility of changing G.D.’s classroom. Dr. Florio testified she made the
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suggestion of a classroom change but Parents did not want a classroom change and instead
wanted G.D. to have a “trusted adult” in the school.53 Parents deny the District ever offered a
classroom change, citing the hearing testimony of Ms. Leary, Ms. Blaker, and Leigh Anne
Ranieri, the District’s Director of Special Education, all of whom testified the District did not
offer a classroom change to Parents.54 Parents contend G.D. began exhibiting an increase in
anxiety and developed headaches as a result of her classroom situation, citing mother K.D.’s
testimony at the due process hearing.55
In addition to a classroom change, Parents also requested the District evaluate G.D. for
IDEA eligibility. On December 3, 2015, K.D. requested an evaluation for special education
services, concerned G.D. had not made the academic progress they believed she should; G.D.
may have a masked learning disability; and G.D.’s increasing anxiety. 56 In response, the District
scheduled the first day of its IDEA eligibility evaluation of G.D. on December 17, 2015.57 On
the day of the testing, Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Blaker “pull[ed] G.D. out” of testing to question her
about an instance of peer conflict.58 Parents contend G.D. became upset and cried during her
meeting with Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Blaker, and the two administrators then sent G.D. back to the
testing, with Ms. Wheeler telling G.D. “she could speak to her therapist about the situation.”59
Parents contend Ms. Blaker and Ms. Wheeler “failed to appreciate how mentioning G.D.’s
mental health therapist was deeply hurtful and stigmatizing to her.”60
The District denies Ms. Wheeler made this comment, and points to the hearing testimony
of Peggy Katsouros, school psychologist, who conducted the December 17 testing.61 Ms.
Katsouros testified after G.D. returned from Ms. Wheeler’s office, Ms. Katsouros offered G.D.
the option of testing on another day.62 Ms. Katouros testified G.D. decided to stay and proceed
with testing; if Ms. Katsouros saw any sign the testing results would be invalid, or of stress, she
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would discontinue the testing; Ms. Katsouros did not see any signs of stress; G.D. appeared
“very happy”; the two built a rapport quickly; and once Ms. Katsouros felt G.D. was comfortable
with her, she began testing.63
Later in the day on December 17, after G.D.’s meeting with Ms. Wheeler and Ms. Blaker
and after testing, G.D. met with her therapist, Ms. Drabble.64 Ms. Drabble testified G.D.,
accompanied by her father, “was so distraught that day that I wasn’t really able to do therapy . . .
.”65 Ms. Drabble’s progress notes from December 17, 2015 reflect G.D. “in tears today bc [sic]
during the psycho-education testing she was taken out to talk with the principal who apparently
caught her in a lie. G crying with principal and sent back to testing.”66 The progress notes also
reflect G.D. “feeling a lot of social anxiety.”67
At Ms. Drabble’s direction, G.D. and her father, M.D., completed a Multidisciplinary
Anxiety Scale for Children (“MASC-2”) assessment on December 23, 2015.68 G.D.’s selfreported responses resulted in an overall anxiety symptom score in the “High Average” range
showing “[c]linically elevated subscale scores includ[ing]: generalized anxiety, panic symptoms
and tense/restless.”69 M.D.’s self-reported responses to the MASC-2 resulted in an overall
anxiety score in the “Very Elevated” range showing “[c]linically elevated subscale scores
includ[ing]: generalized anxiety, social anxiety, humiliation/rejection, performance fears,
obsessions & compulsions, physical symptoms and tense/restless.”70
By December 2015, Ms. Leary described the classroom situation as “intense.”71 Parents
contend by mid-December, G.D. could no longer attend school at Westtown-Thornbury.72 On
December 22, 2015, Parents and Ms. Drabble met with Ms. Wheeler and Dr. Florio.73 Parents
contend Ms. Drabble told Ms. Wheeler and Dr. Florio the District’s actions caused G.D.’s
behavior to significantly regress and her condition so deteriorated Ms. Drabble would
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recommend G.D. be prescribed anxiety medication.74 The District admits a meeting took place
on December 22, but points to Dr. Florio’s hearing testimony, and her contemporaneous notes of
the meeting, denying Ms. Drabble made such statements.75
Parents contend the District never contacted them after the December 22, 2015 meeting
with a proposal or solution to G.D.’s “placement issue” or to revise her Section 504 Service
Agreement.76 Although District denies this contention, Ms. Blaker testified she did not feel it
necessary to “call a 504 meeting.”77 The District ultimately revised G.D.’s Section 504 Services
Agreement signed by K.D. on March 17, 2016.78
D.

Parents place G.D. at Willistown in the middle of third grade.

On January 4, 2016, Ms. Drabble wrote a letter providing her opinion WesttownThornbury “is an unhealthy environment” for G.D.; it would be against her advice to expect G.D.
to return to Westtown-Thornbury; and Willistown is a “better environment” for G.D. to finish
third grade.79 On January 7, 2016, Parents sent a letter to the District advising they removed G.D.
from the District, placed her at Willistown, and of their intent to seek tuition reimbursement.80
Upon arrival at Willistown in January 2016, G.D. exhibited symptoms of anxiety and had
socialization issues with peers in her class, manifested through heightened competitiveness and
rushing through her work.81 G.D.’s issues with peer relationships are noted both in her March
and June 2016 progress report from Willistown.82 Academically, G.D.’s teacher testified “she
was making progress.”83 During the rest of her third grade year, G.D. worked on the 9 to 12
curriculum, which correlates to the age of the student, not grade level.84 G.D.’s progress report
for the 2015-2016 school year shows she required support for reading comprehension but G.D.
received “progressing” or “secure” in all other areas of language arts. 85 The report card also
shows G.D. received “progressing” or “secure” in all areas of math.86
9

G.D. began the 2016-2017 school year in fourth grade at Willistown. G.D.’s teacher
testified G.D. performed well academically and still exhibited anxiety symptoms but had been
doing well with socialization.87 G.D.’s teacher testified G.D. had not had any formal reading
comprehension testing.88 G.D.’s teacher also testified the reading instruction G.D. received did
not necessarily correlated to a grade level—for example, fourth or fifth grade level—rather the
core curriculum written by the American Montessori Society correlated to age—9 to 12, which
G.D. received instruction in as well as reading remediation during the 2016-2017 school year.89
G.D.’s report card for November 2016 and March 2017 show she is “progressing” in
reading comprehension and “progressing” or “secure” in all other parts of reading. 90 G.D.
received “support required” for some categories of writing but generally received “progressing”
or “secure” in all other areas of language arts.91 G.D. received “progressing” or “secure” in all
areas of math.92 G.D.’s progress report also notes her propensity to rush through her work.93
E.

District completed its evaluation in January 2016 and revised G.D.’s
Section 504 Service Agreement in March 2016.

On January 28, 2016, after Parents removed G.D. from the District’s WesttownThornbury, the District issued its Evaluation Report performed by Ms. Katsouros.94 Ms.
Katsouros testified she considered all the assessment results contained in the Evaluation Report
and none indicated G.D. read below grade level.95 The Evaluation Report concluded G.D. did
not have a disability and is not eligible for special education services.96 The District provided
Parents with written notice of its decision denying special education services: “[t]his option was
rejected because [G.D.] does not require special education support to access Free Appropriate
Public Education (FAPE).”97

Parents rejected the recommendation: “[w]e believe that our

daughter is eligible for IDEA services due to her challenges in reading, and due to her

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anxiety/mental health. Our daughter cannot presently attend school in the District due to her
anxiety/mental health.”98 Parents demanded a due process hearing.
Although the District’s Evaluation Report did not find a disability, it concluded a Section
504 Services Agreement should continue “to address the modest impairment of peer
relationships and the worry over her performance” as well as a GIEP in math. 99 On March 4,
2016, the District revised G.D.’s Section 504 Service Agreement to include additional
accommodations, including a transition plan for G.D.’s return to the District.100 K.D. agreed to
the revised Section 504 Services Agreement and signed it on March 17, 2016.101 G.D. did not
return to the District; she remained at Willistown.
Family filed a due process hearing with the Office of Dispute Resolution on May 27,
2016 seeking tuition reimbursement for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years.
F.

Earlier litigation between the District and Family.

After the District completed its Evaluation Report in January 2016, Parents requested an
independent educational evaluation (“IEE”) at public expense in the area of reading.

The

District declined to pay for the IEE and filed a complaint for a due process hearing.
After a due process hearing, Hearing Officer Jake McElligott issued a decision on June
14, 2016 ordering the District to provide an IEE, in the form of an independent reading
evaluation, at public expense. On August 11, 2016, the District filed an appeal to this Court
from Hearing Officer McElligott’s June 14, 2016 (“Earlier Action”).102
On August 12, 2016, reading specialist Martha J. Biery, M.Ed. conducted the IEE
ordered by Hearing Officer McElligott and prepared a Reading Skills Analysis report of G.D. 103
Ms. Biery’s report is contained in the administrative record before Hearing Officer Culleton on
Parents’ due process complaint challenging the District’s conclusion G.D. is not eligible for
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services under IDEA. On January 25, 2017, we denied the District’s motion for judgment on the
administrative record.104 We specifically limited our review solely to the propriety of Hearing
Officer McElligott’s decision requiring the District to pay for the IEE.105

II.

Analysis

When considering Parents’ appeal from Hearing Officer Culleton’s decision, we apply a
“nontraditional standard of review, sometimes referred to as ‘modified de novo’ review,” giving
“due weight” to the Hearing Officer’s decision.106 Under this standard, “[f]actual findings from
the administrative proceedings are to be considered prima facie correct,” and, if we reject the
factual findings, we must explain our reasons for doing so.107 We are cautioned by our court of
appeals the “due weight” standard prevents us from “imposing [our] own view of preferable
educational methods on the states.”108 We review Hearing Officer Culleton’s legal conclusions
under the de novo standard.109
We must accept credibility determinations made by Hearing Officer Culleton “unless the
non-testimonial, extrinsic evidence in the record would justify a contrary conclusion.”110
Hearing Officer Culleton’s credibility determinations are given “special weight” where, as here,
he heard and considered live testimony from multiple witnesses and determined some witnesses
are more credible than other witnesses.111
As the party challenging Hearing Officer Culleton’s decision, Parents bear the “burden of
persuasion . . . as to each claim challenged.”112 “In evaluating the arguments of the party
challenging the Hearing Officer's findings, the district court must base its decision on the
preponderance of the evidence.”113

12

Family moves for judgment on the administrative record, challenging Hearing Officer
Culleton’s decision for the following reasons: (1) Hearing Officer Culleton’s decision is based
on Ms. Katsouros’s Evaluation Record which we found in the Earlier Action to be “legally
improper” and Ms. Katsouros’s Evaluation Record is “legally deficient”; (2) WesttownThornbury is an inappropriate placement as a matter of law; (3) Willistown is an appropriate
placement for G.D.; and (4) the equities weigh in their favor.
The District moves for judgment on the administrative record, arguing Hearing Officer
Culleton correctly found: (1) the District did not fail to perform its “child find” duties under the
IDEA and Section 504; (2) G.D. is not eligible for special education services under the IDEA;
(3) the District provided G.D. with a FAPE for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years,
accordingly tuition reimbursement is not warranted. The District additionally moves for
summary judgment on Family’s claim under the ADA.
A.

The IDEA framework.

The IDEA “protects the rights of disabled children by mandating that public educational
institutions identify and effectively educate those children, or pay for their education elsewhere if
they require specialized services that the public institution cannot provide.”114 Under the IDEA,
the “school must (1) identify children in need of special education services (Child Find); and (2)
provide a FAPE to disabled students.”115
The IDEA’s “child find” requirement imposes upon school districts “a continuing
obligation under the IDEA . . . to identify and evaluate all students who are reasonably suspected
of having a disability.”116 Section 504 imposes the same “child find” requirement.117 The
District’s “child find” obligation “extends to children ‘who are suspected of [having] . . . a

13

disability . . . and in need of special education, even though they are advancing from grade to
grade.”118
Both the IDEA and Section 504 require states to provide every disabled child a “free
appropriate public education,” or FAPE.119 “To meet its substantive obligation under the IDEA, a
school must offer an IEP reasonably calculated to enable a child to make progress appropriate in
light of the child’s circumstances.”120 The state, through the school district, “is not required to
maximize the potential of every handicapped child,” but “it must supply an education that
provides ‘significant learning’ and ‘meaningful benefit’ to the child.”121
B.

Hearing Officer Culleton correctly found the District provided an
appropriate placement in third grade.

Parents challenge Hearing Officer Culleton’s decision G.D. is not disabled under
IDEA.122 Parents argue Hearing Officer Culleton improperly relied on the District’s January
2016 Evaluation Report prepared by Ms. Katsouros because (a) in the Earlier Action we found
the Evaluation Report “legally improper” and any finding the Evaluation Report is proper is
barred by res judicata, and (b) the Evaluation Report is “legally deficient.”
Addressing each argument, we find the record amply supports the Hearing Officer’s
findings the District appropriately evaluated G.D. and found her ineligible for special education
services under the IDEA.
1. Res judicata does not apply to the merits of the Evaluation Report.
Parents argue Ms. Katsouros’s Evaluation Report “has been called into question as a
matter of law due to the unique procedural posture of this case.” We disagree. Hearing Officer
Culleton issued his decision on December 5, 2016.

At that time, the Earlier Action—the

District’s appeal from Hearing Officer McElligott’s decision regarding payment for an

14

independent educational evaluation—remained pending.

On January 25, 2017, we found

Hearing Officer McElligott correctly ordered the District to pay for the IEE. Parents contend our
January 25, 2017 decision operates as res judicata on the merits of the District’s Evaluation
Report.
Res judicata, or claim preclusion, “gives dispositive effect to a prior judgment if a
particular issue, although not litigated could have been raised in the earlier proceeding. Claim
preclusion requires: (1) a final judgment on the merits in a prior suit involving; (2) the same
parties or their privities [sic]; and (3) a subsequent suit based on the same cause of action.”123
We confined our January 25, 2017 decision to resolving the question of whether Hearing
Officer McElligott erred in requiring the District to pay for an independent educational
evaluation.124 Hearing Officer McElligott found a problem in the District’s evaluative
methodology, finding “some degree of doubt about the conclusion in the District’s January 2016
ER that the student does not have a specific learning disability in reading” and accordingly
ordered an independent educational evaluation at public expense to complete a fulsome
evaluation.125
Neither Hearing Officer McElligott nor this Court ruled on the substantive merits of the
Evaluation Report.126 We specifically refused address the merits of the Evaluation Report,
including the District’s argument the later-acquired independent educational evaluation supports
its Evaluation Report. In response, Parents argued the distinction between the “disposition
phase” of the evaluation process and Hearing Officer McElligott’s decision “directed to the
‘acquisition’ phase” of the evaluation process.127 Our decision in the Earlier Action is not a
“final judgment on the merits” and res judicata does not apply.

15

2. The record amply supports the decision G.D. is not eligible for IDEA
services and the District offered and provided her with a FAPE.
Challenging the result of the District’s Evaluation Report, Parents contend G.D. is IDEA
eligible.

Parents attribute error to Hearing Officer Culleton’s reliance on the District’s

Evaluation Report performed by Ms. Katsouros, characterizing it as “legally deficient due to the
limited nature of her inquiry.” Parents point to the following deficiencies in the Evaluation
Report: Ms. Katsouros never obtained Ms. Drabble’s treatment records or considered Ms.
Drabble’s January 4, 2016 letter; Ms. Katsouros did not discuss with the District’s reading
specialists G.D.’s Critical Reading Inventory results showing regression; Martha Biery’s IEE is
missing from the Evaluation Report; Ms. Katsouros failed to address how she could find G.D.
ineligible for IDEA services when G.D. could not attend school for mental health reasons.
We apply the modified de novo standard of review to Hearing Officer Culleton’s decision
and consider his factual findings prima facie correct. Hearing Officer Culleton made extensive
factual findings on Ms. Katsouros’s Evaluation Report as well as all the other evidence before
him. Hearing Officer Culleton rejected Parents’ challenge to the Evaluation Report addressing
Ms. Katsouros’s failure to consider Ms. Drabble’s treatment notes and January 4, 2016 letter. He
provided reasons why he rejected their argument: the law does not “require review of a
therapist’s notes for an evaluation of Student’s need for special education and accommodations,
when notes have not been provided by Parent for that purpose”; there is no “preponderant
evidence such a review would have led to information contrary to the ultimate result of the
evaluation – that G.D. is not IDEA eligible, and that the District should continue to provide
Student with a Section 504 service agreement and regular education placement”; and concluded

16

“the evidence does not show that the psychologist’s [Ms. Katsouros] omission to review these
documents had any detrimental effect on the reliability of her conclusions.”128
Scrutiny of the record confirms Ms. Katsouros testified she spoke with Ms. Drabble on
January 12, 2016 before she issued the Evaluation Report. Ms. Katsouros testified Ms. Drabble
did not tell her G.D. could not return to Westtown-Thornbury and instead told her G.D. “is able
to hold it together at school and the behaviors are displayed at home.”129 Hearing Officer
Culleton made the required credibility determinations in reaching his finding regarding Ms.
Katsouros’s Evaluation Report to which we accord “special weight.”130
Hearing Officer Culleton rejected Parents’ argument Ms. Katsouros failed to consider
the two Critical Reading Inventory results explaining “the record showed preponderantly that
these two assessments did not show regression in reading as Parents assert” and “again, there is
not preponderant evidence that the psychologists’ [sic] omission to consider these curriculum
based assessments undercut the validity of her findings that there is not a specific learning
disability as defined in the IDEA.”131
Our review of the record confirms the District’s reading specialist, Kathryn McGill,
testified regarding the two Critical Reading Inventory results administered in 2014 and 2015.
The 2015 inventory resulted in more areas scoring “needs improvement” than the inventory
conducted in 2014. Parents argue this facts evidences G.D.’s regression in reading and attribute
fault to Ms. Katsouros’s failure to consider them. Ms. McGill testified she could not conclude
the 2015 inventory showed regression, as it is “just one assessment” and “we don’t use one
assessment to make any determination of reading level.”132 Again, Hearing Officer Culleton
made credibility determinations regarding testimony from the District’s witnesses.

17

Hearing Officer Culleton rejected Parents’ argument Ms. Katsouros failed to consider
“Other Health Impairment” because G.D.’s therapist recommended against her return to school
due to anxiety. Hearing Officer Culleton explained “[Ms. Katsouros] in fact did consider the
heart of the therapist’s basis for recommending against return to school, and the evaluation is not
undercut because [Ms. Katsouros] reached a different conclusion.”133
Parents additionally complain Ms. Biery’s IEE is not included in Ms. Katsouros’s
Evaluation Report. Ms. Biery conducted the IEE in August 2016, seven months after Ms.
Katsouros’s Evaluation Report and could not have been included. Even if Ms. Biery’s IEE could
have been included in the Evaluation Report, Ms. Biery did not find G.D. has a specific learning
disability in reading.134 Ms. Biery testified at the due process hearing. Hearing Officer Culleton
considered all testimony and made credibility determinations. Parents fail to adequately explain
why we should reject Hearing Officer Culleton’s factual findings or his credibility
determinations.
C. We enter summary judgment in favor of the District on the ADA claim.
Parents also allege the District’s same conduct violates Section 504 and the ADA,
arguing G.D. is disabled because of her mental health condition. The Hearing Officer, while
analyzing the same conduct, did not decide whether the District violated the ADA. In reviewing
the District’s summary judgment motion, we are guided by the well-established standards for
summary judgment and do not apply the modified de novo review of the Hearing Officer’s
decision under IDEA and Section 504.
Family’s ADA claim alleges G.D. is “disabled for Section 504 and ADA purposes due to
her mental health condition”; G.D. is “otherwise qualified to participate in the educational
program offered at Westtown-Thornbury”; and “by failing to adequately and timely deal with
18

and/or accommodate G.D.’s mental health issues in the school environment, the District deprived
G.D. of the benefits of its program and/or subjected her to discrimination.”135
Family does not cite a specific section of the ADA on which they base their claim.
Section 202 of the ADA provides:
Subject to the provisions of this subchapter, no qualified individual with a disability shall,
by reason of such disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of
the services, programs, or activities of a public entity, or be subjected to discrimination
by any such entity.136
Section 202 of the ADA “extends the nondiscrimination rule of section 504 of the
Rehabilitation Act to services provided by any ‘public entity.’”137 The “‘remedies, procedures
and rights’ under the ADA are the same as those under Section 504” and the “two claims are
treated as analogous.”138
In this circuit, “a showing of deliberate indifference may satisfy a claim for compensatory
damages under § 504 of the [Rehabilitation Act] and § 202 of the ADA.”139 To satisfy the
deliberate indifference standard, Parents must show both “(1) knowledge that a federally
protected right is substantially likely to be violated . . . , and (2) failure to act despite that
knowledge.”140
The District moved for summary judgment on the ADA claim. In response, and for the
first time, Parents argue they should be allowed to conduct discovery on the “newly filed”
Section 504 and ADA claims so “they can develop a record on the deliberate indifference issue
before facing a Summary Judgment Motion.”

We deny Parents’ request “they should be

allowed to conduct discovery” before ruling on the ADA claim under a summary judgment
standard. Parents’ opposition fails to comply with Rule 56(d) requiring a non-movant to show
by affidavit or declaration “that, for specified reasons, it cannot present facts essential to justify
its opposition.”141 In their opposition, Parents do not articulate the discovery needed for their
19

ADA claim and present no argument regarding separate liability under Section 504. 142 The
record shows Parents had the opportunity to question numerous District witnesses during the due
process hearing.

Parents do not explain why they need additional discovery after having

examined witnesses and relevant documents over their four-day hearing. Parents could have
asked for discovery and elected not to.

Instead, they agreed to a schedule allowing them to

adduce evidence but did not ask for more discovery.143 The Parents understandably cannot
articulate the additional discovery they would need in any event. Instead, they cite evidence the
District acted with “deliberate indifference” arguing the District’s administrative personnel “all
knew they had an obligation under Section 504 to provide G.D. with FAPE,” and point to
testimony of Ms. Blaker, Dr. Ranieri, and Dr. Florio.
Upon reviewing the evidence and construing any disputes in favor of the Family, we find
no genuine issues of material fact as to deliberate indifference precluding entry of summary
judgment for the District on the ADA claim. Parents wanted G.D.’s classroom changed in
November 2015; at first the District declined because it anticipated possible adverse
consequences and because it believed it could institute different accommodations to ameliorate
G.D.’s anxiety; and the District instituted a number of accommodations but Parents remained
unsatisfied.144 It is undisputed the District revised G.D.’s Section 504 Service Agreement in
March 2016 to provide additional accommodations including a transition plan for G.D.’s return
to the District.145
Family adduces no evidence the District had (1) knowledge a federally protected right is
substantially likely to be violated, and (2) failed to act despite that knowledge. All of the
evidence is to the contrary. Setting aside, for these purposes only, the IDEA and Section 504
findings in favor of the District and now upheld on a modified de novo standard, we find no
20

evidentiary basis the District failed to act and thus deprived rights under the ADA. Absent a
genuine issue of material fact, we enter summary judgment in favor of the District on the ADA
claim.
III.

Conclusion
G.D. and her parents have not shown a basis to disturb the Hearing Officer’s detailed

findings under IDEA and Section 504 based on an extensive administrative record and after
evaluating the credibility of several witnesses. The Family disagrees with the Hearing Officer.
This disagreement is not enough under the Law.

Under our summary judgment standard, we

also cannot find a disputed genuine issue of material fact as to the District’s alleged deliberate
indifference and must enter summary judgment for the District on the ADA claim. We grant the
District’s motion for judgment on the administrative record and summary judgment in the
accompanying Order.

1

Our Policies require a Statement of Undisputed Material Facts (“SUMF”) and an appendix in
support of summary judgment. The parties submitted the supplemented administrative record as
the Joint Appendix (ECF Doc. No. 18). References to the Joint Appendix (“JA”) shall be by
Bates number, for example, “JA 1.” The District filed its SUMF at ECF Doc. No. 16-1 (“District
SUMF”). G.D. and her parents (collectively “Family”) responded at ECF Doc. No. 22-3
(“Family Response to SUMF”). Family submitted their SUMF at ECF Doc. No. 17-3 (“Family
SUMF”). District responded at ECF Doc. No. 21-2 (“District Response to SUMF”).
2

JA 535, 890. At the time of the complaint in March 2017, G.D. attended fourth grade. G.D.
completed fourth grade in June 2017. District SUMF at ¶ 55; Family Response to SUMF at ¶ 55.
3

JA 1-6.

21

4

20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.

5

29 U.S.C. § 794.

6

JA 4.

7

JA 6.

8

JA 1978.

9

JA 1978-2003. Hearing Officer Culleton’s decision and order include Findings of Fact
(“FOF”), with reference to Notes of Testimony (N.T.) included in the administrative record at JA
1021-1977).
10

JA 2002-2003.

11

We granted Family’s motion for leave to supplement the administrative record with G.D.’s
2016-2017 year-end report card from Willistown. See June 16, 2017 Order-Memorandum (ECF
Doc. No. 19). Family never asked for discovery.
12

Family SUMF at ¶ 2. In 2016, G.D. began treatment with Tamar Chansky, Ph.D., a
psychologist. Family SUMF at ¶ 4.
13

Family SUMF at ¶ 5.

14

Family SUMF at ¶ 8. The Pennsylvania Department of Education’s website explains a 504
Service Agreement may be applicable where:
A student that does not qualify for special education services under
IDEA (an educational law) still may qualify for services under
Section 504 (a civil rights law) if the disability is shown to
substantially limit his or her educational performance.
A child with a disability is one who has a physical or mental
impairment that substantially limits major life activities, such as
caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing,
hearing,
speaking,
breathing,
learning
and
working.
Accommodations often refer to building accessibility, classroom
adjustments and curriculum modifications and may be updated or
revised as the need changes.
See
http://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Homebound%20Instruction/Pages/IEPs-and-504Service-Agreements.aspx. Both the federal Rehabilitation Act and Pennsylvania’s regulations
provide conditions for a 504 plan.
22

15

Family SUMF at ¶ 7.

16

FOF at ¶¶ 9, 13.

17

Family SUMF at ¶ 10.

18

Family SUMF at ¶ 13; District SUMF at ¶ 7.

19

Family SUMF at ¶ 11.

20

Family SUMF at ¶ 11.

21

Family SUMF at ¶ 11. The District admits it performed testing, but denies “one testing
assessment can properly determine a reading level.” District Response to SUMF at ¶ 11.
22

Family SUMF at ¶ 12.

23

JA 1085 (N.T. 65); F.F. ¶ 23.

24

See 2014-2015 report card at JA 495-496. According to the report card, a score of 2 is “Basic”
performance defined as: “[t]he student’s performance demonstrates progress toward meeting the
standard as required for the grade level.” A score of 2+ also constitutes “Basic” performance
defined as: “[t]he student’s performance demonstrates significant progress toward meeting the
standard as required for the grade level.” A score of 3 is “Proficient” performance defined as:
“[t]he student’s performance consistently meets the standard as required for the grade level.” A
score of 4 is “Advanced” performance defined as: “[t]he student’s performance consistently
exceeds the standard as required for the grade level.” JA 495.
25

Id.

26

N.T. 173 at JA 1193.

27

J.A. 18-21.

28

District SUMF at ¶ 12; Family’s response to SUMF at ¶ 12.

29

District SUMF at ¶¶ 9-12; Family’s response to SUMF at ¶¶ 9-12. Family points to an October
2015 email sent by G.D.’s mother to G.D.’s third grade teacher, referring to problems with a
particular student beginning in second grade. See JA 156 and mother’s testimony at JA 10821084.
30

Family SUMF at ¶ 14.

23

31

Family SUMF at ¶ 17; District SUMF at ¶¶ 15-16.

32

Family SUMF at ¶ 15; September 2015 Critical Reading Inventory at JA 930. The District
admits it conducted a Critical Reading Inventory in September 2015, but denies one test “can
properly determine a reading level.” District response to SUMF at ¶ 15.
33

Family SUMF at ¶ 16.

34

JA 499. G.D. received: 93 (A) in math; 90 (A-) in reading; 89 (B+) in writing; 93(A) in
science; and 97 (A+) in social studies. In the beginning of third grade, G.D.’s teacher instructed
her at the “end of third grade reading level.” N.T. 214 at JA 1234.
35

JA 502. G.D. received a 90 (A-) in reading; 90 (A-) in writing; and 86 (B) in social studies. Id.

36

Id.

37

Id.

38

Id.

39

District SUMF at ¶ 19.

40

District SUMF at ¶ 20. G.D.’s issues involved the same girl with whom G.D. conflicted in
second grade. N.T. 193 at JA 1213. G.D.’s third grade teacher noted only having seven girls in a
class created a “challenging” social dynamic among the girls. N.T. 194 at JA 1214.
41

District SUMF at ¶ 21.

42

District SUMF at ¶ 22.

43

District SUMF at ¶ 23.

44

District SUMF at ¶ 24.

45

District SUMF at ¶ 25.

46

District SUMF at ¶ 28.

47

District SUMF at ¶ 28; N.T. at 1422-1423.

48

Family response to SUMF at ¶¶ 24-26.

49

Family response to SUMF at ¶¶ 24-28.

50

Family SUMF at ¶ 18; District SUMF at ¶ 29.
24

51

52

Family SUMF at ¶ 19; District SUMF at ¶ 30.
District SUMF at ¶ 31.

53

N.T. 551-554 at JA 1605-1608.

54

Family response to SUMF at ¶ 32.

55

Family SUMF at ¶ 26. The District denies Family’s contention, arguing G.D. did not exhibit
behavior concerns in school to the same extend or degree as Parents reported G.D.’s behavior at
home. District response to SUMF at ¶ 26.
56

JA 74-77.

57

Family SUMF at ¶ 27.

58

Family SUMF at ¶ 27; District response to SUMF at ¶ 27.

59

Family SUMF at ¶ 27. District denies Ms. Wheeler told G.D. she “could speak to her therapist
about the situation.” District response to SUMF at ¶¶ 27, 29.
60

Family SUMF at ¶ 29.

61

District response to SUMF at ¶ 27.

62

N.T. 451-452 at JA 1505-1506.

63

Id.

64

Family SUMF at ¶ 31.

65

N.T. 706 at JA 1807.

66

JA 727.

67

Id.

68

Family SUMF at ¶ 32.

69

JA 732.

70

Id.

25

71

Family SUMF at ¶ 25; District response to SUMF at ¶ 25.

72

Family SUMF at ¶ 33. District denies this contention.

73

Family SUMF at ¶ 34.

74

Family SUMF at ¶ 34.

75

District response to SUMF at ¶ 34; N.T. 557-558 at JA 1611-1612; JA 950-952.

76

Family SUMF at ¶ 35.

77

N.T. 295-297 at JA 1314-1316.

78

District response to SUMF at ¶ 35; JA 24-25.

79

JA 12. District SUMF at ¶ 33.

80

Family SUMF at ¶ 37; JA 10-11.

81

N.T. 626-629, 664 at JA 1710-1713, 1748.

82

JA 503-505.

83

N.T. 631-632 at JA 1715-1716.

84

N.T. 642 at JA 1726. Willistown’s students are grouped by ability, not by traditional grade
level classrooms. JA 1727. Upon transfer to Willistown in the 2015-2016 school year, and
during the 2016-2017 school year, G.D. worked in the nine to 12-year old curriculum. JA 172526.
85

JA 503-505.

86

Id.

87

N.T. 670-672 at JA 1754-1756.

88

N.T. 679 at JA 1763.

89

N.T. 685-686 at JA 1769-1770.

90

JA 2004-2005.

91

Id.
26

92

Id.

93

Id.

94

District SUMF at ¶ 40; JA 78-104.

95

District SUMF at 44; N.T. 467 at JA 1521.

96

JA 99.

97

JA 105-107.

98

JA 107.

99

JA 101.

100

JA 24-26.

101

JA 25.

102

West Chester Area Sch. Dist. v. G.D., et al., No. 16-4471.

103

JA 1014-1020.

104

West Chester Area Sch. Dist., No. 16-4471 at ECF Doc. No. 35.

105

West Chester Area Sch. Dist. v. G.D., et al., No. 16-4471, 2017 WL 379440, at *1, *6-*7
(E.D. Pa. Jan. 25, 2017).
H.L. v. Downingtown Area Sch. Dist., 624 F. App’x 64, 67 (3d Cir. 2015) (quoting D.S. v.
Bayonne Bd. of Educ., 602 F.3d 553, 564 (3d Cir. 2010)).
106

107

Shore Regional High Sch. Bd. of Educ. v. P.S. ex rel. P.S., 381 F.3d 194, 199 (3d Cir. 2004)
(quoting S.H. v. State–Operated School Dist. of City of Newark, 336 F.3d 260, 271 (3d Cir.
2003)).
108

D.S. v. Bayonne Bd. of Educ., 602 F.3d 553, 565 (3d Cir. 2010) (citing Oberti v. Bd. of Educ.,
995 F.2d 1204, 2019 (3d Cir. 1993)).
109

S.H., 336 F.3d at 270.

110

D.S., 602 F.3d at 564 (quoting Carlisle Area Sch. v. Scott P., 62 F.3d 520, 529 (3d Cir.
1995)).
27

111

Id. (citing Shore Regional High Sch. Bd. of Educ., 381 F.3d at 199)).

112

Ridley Sch. Dist. v. M.R., 680 F.3d 260, 270 (3d Cir. 2012) (footnote omitted).

113

Sch. Dist. of Philadelphia v. Post, No. 15-4501, 2017 WL 2879684, at *5 (E.D.Pa. July 5,
2017) (citing 20 U.S.C. § 1415(i)(2)(C)(iii)).
114

D.K. v. Abington Sch. Dist., 696 F.3d 233, 244 (3d Cir. 2012) (quoting P.P. ex rel. Michael P.
v. West Chester Area Sch. Dist., 585 F.3d 727, 735 (3d Cir. 2009).
115

D.K., 696 F.3d at 244.

116

Ridley Sch. Dist., 680 F.3d at 271 (quoting P.P., 585 F.3d at 738); see 34 C.F.R. § 300.111
(federal “child find” regulations) and 22 Pa. Code §§ 14.121 – 14.125 (Pennsylvania “child find”
regulations).
117

P.P., 585 F.3d at 738.

118

D.K., 696 F.3d at 249 (quoting 34 C.F.R. § 300.111(c)(1)).

119

20 U.S.C. 1412. See Lauren G. ex rel. Scott G. v. West Chester Area Sch. Dist., 906 F. Supp.
2d 375, 388 (E.D. Pa. 2012) (“The Third Circuit has ‘held that there are few differences, if any,
between IDEA’s affirmative duty and § 504’s negative prohibition and have noted that the
regulations implementing § 504 require that the school districts provide a free and appropriate
public education to each qualified handicapped person in its jurisdiction.’” (quoting Ridgewood
Bd. of Educ. v. N.E. ex rel. M.E., 172 F.3d 238, 253 (3d Cir.1999)).
120

Endrew F. ex rel. Joseph F. v. Douglas Cnty. Sch. Dist. RE-1, __ U.S. ___, 137 S.Ct. 988,
999 (2017).
121

Ridley Sch. Dist., 680 F.3d at 269 (citing D.S., 602 F.3d at 556)).

122

Hearing Officer Culleton recognized G.D. is disabled under 504 and the District provided a
Section 504 Service Agreement. JA 1979.
123

Blunt v. Lower Merion Sch. Dist., 767 F.3d 247, 276 (3d Cir. 2014) (quoting Bd. of Trs. of
Trucking Emps. of N. Jersey Welfare Fund, Inc. - Pension Fund v. Centra, 983 F.2d 495, 504 (3d
Cir. 1992)).
124

West Chester Area Sch. Dist. v. G.D., No. 16-4471, 2017 WL 379440, at *1, *6–*7 (E.D. Pa.
Jan. 25, 2017).
125

Id. at *6.

28

126

We affirmed Hearing Officer McElligott only as to his decision ordering the District to pay
for an independent educational evaluation explaining, “To fully develop and inform a more
complete understanding of Student's potential learning disability, Hearing Officer McElligott
used his wisdom and experience, in conjunction with the District’s ER, to find the District's
inadequate methodology resulted in an inability to fully understand Student's ability versus
achievement in the area of reading requiring an IEE.” Id.
127

West Chester Area Sch. Dist. v. G.D., No. 16-4471 at ECF Doc. No. 27, p. 14.

128

JA 2000-2001.

129

N.T. 457 at JA 1511.

130

JA 1989-1992.

131

JA 2001.

132

N.T. 405 at JA 1459.

133

JA 2001.

134

JA 1014-1020.

135

Complaint at ¶¶ 64–66 (ECF Doc. No. 1).

136

42 U.S.C. § 12132; S.H., 729 F.3d at 260.

137

Jeremy H. v. Mount Lebanon Sch. Dist., 95 F.3d 272, 279 (3d Cir. 1996).

138

T.M. on behalf of T.M. v. Quakertown Cmty. Sch. Dist., No. 16-3915, 2017 WL 1406581, at
*14 (E.D.Pa. Apr. 19, 2017) (citing 42 U.S.C. § 12133; Jeremy H. v. Mount Lebanon Sch. Dist.,
95 F.3d 272, 279 (3d Cir. 1996); Travis G. v. New Hope–Solebury Sch. Dist., 544 F.Supp.2d 435,
445 (E.D. Pa. 2008)).
139

S.H., 729 F.3d at 263.

140

Id., 729 F.3d at 265 (emphasis in original) (citation omitted).

141

Fed. R. Civ. P. 56(d).

142

Parents never requested additional discovery beyond the administrative record on their ADA
claim despite filing a joint proposed briefing schedule and never raised the issue during our
conference call with counsel regarding the proposed briefing schedule.

29

143

ECF Doc. No. 8.

144

JA 2001–2002.

145

JA 24.

30