Thanks for the replies. Sorry for my delay. This took some time to write. Excuse my unfamiliarity with using this site. It was just recommended to me by a good friend.
In 5th grade, after my ex moved out, my son had his best academic year to date, receiving A's & B's. I worked closely with him much to the consternation of a Special Education. teacher whom I was seeing. As he got older, and resisted my involvement, his grades declined. It was at my insistence he be tested outside the school, while in 8th grade, despite the lack of any "soft" indications from the school's Core Evaluation. After the testing, it was determined he had no learning disabilities, but did exhibit ADHD. A psychiatrist in the office where he and I went for counseling separately, but with the same therapist, agreed with the diagnosis after an appointment with my son (who at the time wanted no part of any medication).
I kept him back in 8th grade, at the school's recommendation, thinking he wasn't emotionally ready for high school. He was also small in stature and looked younger. In retrospect, the decision greatly hurt his self-esteem, making him think he was stupid, or at least giving him an excuse not to try. I asked for a 504 Plan review when he arrived at the high school. I have always perceived his guidance counselor as doing less than what is required. She makes an effort when she is in the hot seat. High school academics got worse each year, always culminating in one or two summer school classes. My son seemed to do a lot better in a smaller more specific classroom environment.
After I was re-married a year ago, and blending families, my son and my wife's (not the SPED teacher) teenage son began acting out together. My son was cutting a lot of classes or not showing up at all. My wife and I tried to start family counseling. The boys resisted, and when they did go "brought nothing to the table", in the words of the therapist. My wife and I continued on without them. Both kids were openly admitting pot use. By December my son went before the Academic Review Board and was told he could not continue skipping school. He complied, and also began doing his work by the last semester. He was in the 3rd and easiest level of difficulty for all his academic classes. I had a good report from his Physics teacher, although my son missed passing for the year by a couple points. He had to go to summer school for English, and passed, although his summer school teacher said his effort could have been better. He did not care for this teacher.
Because N. Andover has a residency requirement, and because we had to move back to my wife's house in a neighboring town for financial reasons, we arranged for my son to pay a friend's mother room and board in order to live in their house this academic year. He also did not want to live with us. This new setting proved to be disastrous. The house turned out to be a hangout for all of his friends. A wonderful friend of ours had wanted to take him in, but could not do so after her son objected. My son and her son had grown up together as friends. Her son objected to the manner in which my son was now treating his peers. My son's step-brother in the meantime went to live with his father.
About the 3rd week of school this year my son was accused of a felony, which he admitted, involving the theft of another students property from a car on school property. He was suspended for two weeks. Incidentally, during the same time the school was given an accreditation warning. At the end of the two weeks, the Principal continued the suspension, pending the outcome of the legal matter. We appealed to the Interim Superintendent (who replaced his recently fired predecessor). He upheld the suspension. He stated (or his lawyer stated) my son could only be readmitted if the outcome was neither Guilty nor "Continued Without a Finding". Because we retained an exceptional lawyer at the insistence of my mother, the case was dropped but could be reopened if my son gets into trouble in the next year. Restitution was made, as well.
The morning following the ruling, the Principal would not readmit my son. She told us she was in meetings and would not be available until noon. After she left the main office, the Superintendent appeared. He told me only my son had to come back at noon. I left work anyway, at my son's request and on the advice of our lawyer. It turned out to be a meeting with the Superintendent, Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance Counselor, and investigating Police Officer! The Principal did not understand the unusual legal ruling. I had to get our attorney on the speaker phone. Good thing she was available. Although the Superintendent understood her explanation, the Principal resisted his authority. After she finally conceded, the Guidance Counselor admitted my son's 504 Plan should have been reviewed last year. Im not sure why the Police Officer was present, but it was at this time he departed. Perhaps he was there to escort us out if the principal got her way.
Trying to help my son and his cause during the suspension, I started him in counseling again. That he would go was a small miracle. At my sons request we went to see his pediatrician regarding ADHD medication. My son's motive was perhaps more focused on getting a "buzz", as he had requested Aderol. His step-brother had been previously prescribed the same. It was discontinued when we realized he had been cutting up his daily pills and inhaling them with a straw! My son had actually told us about it. The pediatrician instead prescribed Concerta for my son, while telling us pot would counteract the medications effect. He also told my son about recent medical information concerning pots detrimental effects on learning. My son claims no effect from the Concerta, yet seeming more lucid when we speak, and says he has not used pot since.
His second counseling appointment is tonight. Insurance pays for this. I am trying to start him with English tutoring, at our expense, from a friend's mother. She is a former teacher from the same school. My son's math teacher, whom he likes, has not responded to my request for extra help. My son is being given until the end of the next semester to make up the first semester's work. Meanwhile, the Superintendent was concerned about MCAS testing this week. Considering the accreditation warning, I see why.
I ask at this point, where do we stand legally, concerning the schools apparent neglect, as well as what they are required to do by law?
