Last Updated on July 26, 2022 by Michelle Ball
By Michelle Ball, Sacramento California Expulsion, Special Education, sports/CIF, College, Education and School Attorney/Lawyer for Students since 1995
What if you cannot get a simple transfer for your special needs children, but believe they will not be appropriately placed otherwise? My office was hired to assist one family who no matter what they did, could not get a transfer for their special needs children. When my office became involved, we were able to gather enough information and communicate effectively, thereby persuading the district that the transfers should go through.
Here is what one of the parents involved had to say:
“I highly recommend Michelle Ball! Michelle Ball is a fantastic education attorney. Our school district wanted to make a school placement within the district that was not in the best interest of our children (IEP, 504, and handicapped). The district was adamant that our request for transfer would not be allowed, seemingly in opposition to the law. We felt existing law supported our requested placement based on the services available at the schools in the district. In the face of a unified negative response from all levels in the district, she [Michelle Ball] provided legal guidance and support that ultimately drove the district to change their position and grant our request.
While the whole experience was unnerving, we learned not to give in, and pushed for a placement that was in the best interests of our children. The district seemed to believe that time and cost were on their side and that we would eventually accept their decision. With Michelle’s counsel we were able to fight and drive the district to change their position to one that met our children’s needs rather than the needs of the district. The cost of fighting the decision, while not insignificant, pales in comparison to the long term results that the district’s placement would have had on the rest of our children’s lives, and by extension, ours. They now have a much better chance at a quality education and a successful life, as opposed to the prospect of a less successful education experience and the negative impact that would have on the rest of their lives.
Many thanks!
-RJJ”
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