L. A. S. v. Department of Education

692 F. App'x 842

• Court: Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit
• Decided: June 27, 2017
• Docket: No. 14-17443
• Status: Published

Opinion

MEMORANDUM

*

L.A.S., individually and on behalf of her minor child, S.A.S., brought this appeal involving the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). We have jurisdiction under 28 U.S.C. § 1291, and we affirm.

1. The district court did not err in reversing the administrative hearing officer’s (AHO) first determination, because L.A.S.’s administrative complaint did not plead the issue the AHO decided. See Van Duyn ex rel. Van Duyn v. Baker Sch. Dist. 5J, 502 F.3d 811, 817 (9th Cir. 2007) (reviewing a district court’s legal conclusions de novo). Plaintiff has not cited any authority preventing the district court from limiting the scope of the proceedings to those issues raised in the administrative complaint and argued by a plaintiff. See K.D. ex rel. C.L. v. Dep’t of Educ., Haw., 665 F.3d 1110, 1117 (9th Cir. 2011) (explaining that the party challenging the district court’s holding bears the burden of proof on appeal); see also Cty. of San Diego v. Calif. Special Educ. Hearing Office, 93 F.3d 1458, 1465 (9th Cir. 1996) (holding the scope of the administrative hearing is limited to the administrative complaint raised to obtain the hearing).

2. The district court also did not err in affirming the AHO’s second determination finding no predetermination by the Hawaii Department of Education (DOE). See KD., 665 F.3d at 1123 (holding a school district violates the IDEA if it predetermines a student’s placement before the individualized education plan is developed). Plaintiff has not shown the DOE was unwilling to consider locating S.A.S. in private school. See id. (considering the DOE’s actions and intent in a predetermination inquiry). Further, Plaintiff has not cited to any authority supporting her argument that the inquiry turns on her interpretation of the letter rather than the DOE’s intent. See id. at 1117 (explaining that the party challenging the district court’s holding bears the burden of proof on appeal). The March 2011 letter is somewhat troubling but, on its own, is insufficient to carry Plaintiffs burden.

AFFIRMED.

This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by Ninth Circuit Rule 36-3.