Why Special Ed needs non lawyer Representatives

[Guest guest]

Below are two examples of what parents of special ed students are up against

when trying to get services for their children. And why we need signatures on

this petition.

http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/Nonlawyer

This could effect your child or grandchild, a niece, nephew or a friend's child.

If you haven't already signed the above petition, please do so.

From www.chattanoogan.com/articles/article_63389.asp

Henry Says County Schools Spent $2,280,000 On One Lawsuit

posted March 3, 2005

County Commissioner Larry Henry said he is concerned that the Hamilton County

Schools has spent $2,280,000 on a single lawsuit that is still ongoing.

Commissioner Henry said, " I was informed this lawsuit could have been settled

for $150,000, but the county schools is intent on taking it all the way to the

Supreme Court to prove a point. "

He said the case started in October 2001 and involves an autistic student.

Commissioner Henry said he understands the student is doing well in the county

schools " mainly due to the exceptional efforts of the principal at his school. "

He said the schools had spent $1,560,000 on the case as of 2003 and has spent

$724,000 since then.

" And the case is still ongoing, " he said.

Commissioner Henry said the cost figures do not include time spent away from the

schools by school personnel at depositions and hearings.

He said funding spent on the lawsuit might have been applied to buildings or

other school needs.

In response, Hamilton County Schools officials said total legal expenses

associated with the Deal case through January 2005 are approximately $2,280,000.

Officials in the school finance department are preparing a current breakdown of

legal expenses by department.

San

The same Atlanta law firm billed the Ravenswood School District in San ,

Calif., $2.1 million at a time when the district was going bankrupt, according

to the San Mercury News.

The newspaper said Ravenswood paid for first-class travel and food for the

Atlanta firm.

The Mercury News wrote, " Even as the Ravenswood school district tumbled toward

bankruptcy, its former leaders allowed an Atlanta law firm to rack up $2.1

million in bills in less than a year, including first-class plane tickets and

meals at some of the Bay Area's priciest restaurants.

" A Mercury News review found that the Weatherly Law Firm, hired last year to

defend Ravenswood in a special education lawsuit, charged the district serving

the Peninsula's poorest children what amounts to $420 per student -- 5.5 percent

of its annual budget. A new school board replaced the firm in December with

county counsel charging $30,000 a year. "

http://www.ipetitions.com/campaigns/Nonlawyer

The petition reads as follows;

PETITION IN SUPPORT OF NONLAWYER REPRESENTATION FOR PARENTS IN SPECIAL EDUCATION

HEARINGS

We, the undersigned, support the use of trained nonlawyers as representatives of

parents in special education due process hearings. We recognize the lack of

affordable and trained attorneys for parents and children in the field of

special education, and request that Congress revisit the legislative urgency of

permitting nonlawyer practice regardless of State law, as well as the right of

nonlawyers to be paid for their work. We point out that school districts and

State agencies have both expert witnesses and law firms, paid for by tax

dollars, while parents must pay for both when disputing the special services

provided to their children. The use of nonlawyer representation would provide a

cost-effective option for parents who are otherwise unrepresented, as well as

ensure equal protection of the law