A hearing began Tuesday in the case of one of the families who has filed a lawsuit against the Lake Orion Community Schools.
Pam and Mark Kroll claim the district has not provided adequate services for their autistic son, Hayden.
They say this has forced them to send their son to an expensive school out of district that offers the type of educational services he needs.
In opening remarks Tuesday morning, district officials claimed what they offered the Krolls went above and beyond what is required by the state.
The hearing is scheduled to last nine full days and is being presided over by the Administrative Law Judge Michael L. Herendeen.
Leland McRae, attorney for the Krolls, opening remarks detailed Hayden’s leaving the Lake Orion district and the eventual negotiations between district and family.
‘The Krolls were not being told what they needed to know,? McRae said. ‘You don’t just put something down on paper to make them happy. Do your jobs.?
Jeff Butler, the attorney for the district, followed McRae’s opening remarks by saying a ‘radically different story,? was going to come from the schools.
In a previous interview, Superintendent Ken Gutman said, ‘I believe without a doubt that our district is providing a free and appropriate public education to all of our children in the special education program. It is always the rights of the parents to pursue measure to verify that if they disagree with us.?
Gutman, Julie Stucky, the director of special education, and Pam Kroll are all expected to testify at some point.
Mark Kroll was the first to testify Tuesday morning. The Review went to press before all the testimony was finished for the day.
A ruling may not come until early to mid-summer.
The next day of testimony is Thursday, April 16. The hearing is open to the public and takes place Lake Orion School Administration Building located at 315 N. Lapeer Street.