Notice to All Parents or Guardians of any minor students, or to students who are 18 years of age or older, who have Individualized Education Programs that require the District to provide the student with transportation to and/or from school:
A civil lawsuit, Robertson et al. v. District of Columbia, Case No. 1:24-cv-00656, is presently pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. The lawsuit alleges that the District of Columbia (“the District”) has failed to provide safe, reliable, and appropriate school transportation for students with disabilities.
Plaintiffs, the parents of five District of Columbia students with disabilities and the non-profit advocacy organization, the ARC of the United States (collectively, “plaintiffs”), have asked the District of Columbia (DC) for educational records from the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE).
Specifically, plaintiffs have requested that the District produce trip tickets that may include personally identifiable information about your child, such as your child’s name, address, home phone number, disability, and transportation accommodations. Trip tickets also list the time the bus picks up a student at their home, the time the bus arrives at school, and the time the bus drops off a student at their home in the afternoon. Trip tickets also may show which days a student did or did not ride the bus and why (for example, illness, suspension).
Plaintiffs, the District of Columbia, and the Court have agreed on a “protective order,” which prohibits the parties’ lawyers and anyone else with access to the information from publicly disclosing any of your child’s personally identifiable information. But the information will be used in the litigation and by those involved with the litigation.
You have the right to object to the disclosure of your child’s records.
If you do not want plaintiffs to receive your child’s records, please fill out the form linked below by May 14, 2025, noting the name of your child, their date of birth, and the reason for such objection.
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If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].