New Brighton Area School District v. Matthew Z.

SILVESTRI, Senior Judge.

The facts in this special education case are as follows. In 1996, Matthew Z. was a sixteen year old student enrolled in the eleventh grade in the New Brighton Area School District (District). The parties have stipulated that Matthew is an “exceptional student” and is entitled to an individualized education program (IEP).1 On May 29, 1996, the District convened an IEP team for the purpose of planning an IEP for Matthew for the 1996-1997 school year. Matthew’s mother, her advocate, the guidance counselor, and several others attended the meeting. During the course of the…