M.K. v. Prestige Acad. Charter Sch.
M.K. v. Prestige Acad. Charter Sch.
Opinion of the Court
This case concerns both substantive and procedural questions as to the enforceability of an agreement between a parent and a charter school in settlement of claims *629under the Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA),
I. The IDEA Framework
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires states to "make available a free and appropriate public education ["FAPE"] to all children with disabilities residing within their borders." D.S. v. Bayonne Bd. of Educ. ,
The IDEA requires states to submit a plan of compliance to the Secretary of Education in exchange for federal money. § 1401(9). The Secretary then distributes federal funding to State Education Agencies (SEAs), which are responsible for apportioning those funds to schools and other Local Education Agencies (LEAs). § 1413(a). That process requires LEAs to apply to their SEA for funding. § 1412(a)(11)(A). With this funding, the LEA provides services to children with disabilities through, inter alia , developing an IEP after evaluating the child and continually making revisions as appropriate. §§ 1414(d)(1)(A)(i), (d)(4). The Fourth Circuit has aptly summarized the framework as follows:
The IDEA delegates supervisory authority to the SEA, which is responsible for administering funds, setting up policies and procedures to ensure local compliance with IDEA, and filling in for the LEA by providing services directly to students in need where the LEA is either unable or unwilling to establish and maintain programs in compliance with IDEA. The LEA, on the other hand, is responsible for the direct provision of services under IDEA, including the development of an ... [IEP] for each disabled student, the expenditure of IDEA funds to establish programs in compliance with IDEA, and the maintenance of records and the supply of information to the SEA as needed to enable the SEA to function effectively in its supervisory role under [the] IDEA.
Gadsby v. Grasmick ,
The Act enforces a child's right to a FAPE by providing procedural safeguards that allow parents to contest LEA decisions regarding their children. Specifically, it requires states to adopt procedures affording an opportunity for any party to present a due process complaint regarding the "identification, evaluation, or educational *630placement of the child, or the provision of a [FAPE]." §§ 1415(a), (b)(6). Upon the LEA or SEA receiving that complaint, parents are entitled to an impartial due process hearing. § 1415(f)(1)(A). The findings and decisions that result are appealable in both state and federal district court. § 1415(i)(2)(A).
In addition, out of concern that such adversarial proceedings alone could breed distrust and discourage cooperation between the parents and school personnel, Congress amended the IDEA in 1997 and 2004 to facilitate the amicable resolution of disputes prior to the formal due process hearing. T.L. ex rel. Latisha G. v. Pennsylvania Leadership Charter Sch. ,
The resolution process begins when the LEA receives a proper due process complaint and requires that a due process hearing not be held until at least 30 days after the filing of that complaint.
Ordinarily, disputes regarding a FAPE denial are between parents and LEAs. Here, as discussed more fully below, M.K.'s school, Prestige, was a charter entity that Plaintiff contends will soon be defunct. Accordingly, Plaintiff has sued the State of Delaware as the responsible SEA, and Prestige has not defended the case.
II. Relevant Facts
M.K., now 16 years old, attended Prestige Academy Charter in Wilmington, Delaware from August 2011 to the end of the 2013-14 school year. His mother, Barlowe K., filed a due process complaint on his behalf against the Charter School in November 2015. The complaint alleged that Prestige failed to appropriately evaluate M.K. and provide an appropriate educational program to meet his needs, despite his being eligible as a student with disabilities under the IDEA. Barlowe K. eventually executed a settlement agreement with Prestige on May 9, 2016 [hereinafter "Settlement Agreement"]. See Ex. A. 7, ECF No. 1-1.
The Settlement Agreement itself required Prestige to "provide payment or reimbursement for up to $30,000 worth of legitimate educational expenses for [M.K.] to be utilized between [then] and M.K.'s 21st birthday,"
*631Requests for reimbursement that qualified as legitimate educational expenses, as defined by the Agreement, were to be paid within 30 days of receipt.
In reaching the Agreement, the Hearing Panel Order dated January 4, 2016 states that, on December 30, 2015, the parties orally agreed to waive the 30-day waiting period in light of "settlement negotiations [that] were taking place." Def.'s Ex. A-1 p. 1, ECF No. 4-1. That same order states that the resolution period ended on the day of the verbal waiver. The parties memorialized that waiver in a written agreement dated January 22, 2016, and ended the due process hearing by stipulation on January 25, 2016. Def.'s Ex. A-2, A-3, ECF No 4-1.
In exchange, Plaintiff relinquished her and her son's statutory rights under the IDEA, the Rehabilitation Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the No Child Left Behind Act, and the Delaware state special education statutes. They also relinquished their rights arising from Prestige's noncompliance with any IDEA provisions concerning identification, evaluation, and development of an IEP for M.K., such as claims for compensatory education, tuition reimbursement, and reimbursement for attorney's fees. Plaintiff did, however, reserve the right to litigate issues of non-compliance, and claims arising from physical injuries that may have occurred while M.K. was at Prestige.
Prestige has since failed to make any payments under the Agreement, according to allegations in the Complaint. It has also not renewed its charter, and according to Plaintiff, will soon cease to be a viable entity. That means it will not be able to satisfy its obligations under the Agreement. As a result, Plaintiff contacted the Delaware Department of Education [hereinafter "Delaware"], as the governing SEA, but Delaware has denied responsibility for the relief negotiated in the Settlement Agreement.
Plaintiff has sued Prestige and Delaware alleging two counts: (i) violation of the IDEA, and (ii) breach of contract regarding M.K.'s "ongoing federal right." Delaware premises its denial of responsibility on the fact that the Agreement was not made through the resolution process, and on that same basis has moved to dismiss the case for lack of subject matter jurisdiction. In the alternative, Delaware moves to dismiss for failure to state a claim, contending it has no legal responsibility, and supporting its position with eight different arguments.
III. Standard
Defendant Delaware's motion is two-fold, first challenging the existence of jurisdiction under Rule 12(b)(1) and second, contending that Plaintiff has not made out a legally cognizable claim under Rule 12(b)(6). The standard of review for the latter is well-settled. I accept as true all of the factual allegations contained in the complaint, and assess whether they make out a plausible legal claim. Bell Atlantic Corp. v. Twombly ,
Despite Defendant challenging Plaintiff's allegation that the "Settlement Agreement was reached pursuant to [the] IDEA's resolution process," Def.'s Mot. 2, ECF No. 4 (citing Complaint ¶ 13, ECF No. 1), I construe Defendant's Rule 12(b)(1) motion as a facial jurisdictional challenge. Indeed, that an agreement was reached pursuant to or during the IDEA's resolution process is dispositive of the legal question: whether the IDEA provides the basis for jurisdiction. See T.L. ,
And as to the facts underlying Plaintiff's allegation, Defendant supplements the pleadings with public documents from the administrative proceedings leading up to the Settlement Agreement. See Def.'s Mot. 2, ECF No. 4. These documents reveal that Plaintiff agreed to waive the resolution process. See
IV. Discussion
A. Jurisdiction under the IDEA
Delaware argues that I lack jurisdiction here because the IDEA does not create a cause of action to enforce a settlement that takes place beyond the resolution period, and outside the mediation process. See Def.'s Mot. 2-3, ECF No. 4 (citing H.E. v. Palmer ,
I agree, consistent with my previous holding under similar circumstances. See T.L. ,
But that does not end the inquiry, because "in certain cases, federal-question jurisdiction will lie over state-law claims that implicate significant federal issues." Grable & Sons Metal Prod., Inc. v. Darue Eng'g & Mfg. ,
B. Jurisdiction over state law claims that turn on a substantial federal question under
District courts have "original jurisdiction of all civil actions arising under the Constitution, laws, or treaties of the United States." § 1331. Under Grable , federal jurisdiction exists over state law claims that (i) necessarily raise a stated federal issue, (ii) that is actually disputed, (iii) substantial, and (iv) one which a federal forum may entertain without disturbing any congressionally approved balance of federal and state judicial responsibilities.
i. The Complaint here necessarily raises a federal issue about which there is an actual dispute.
The matter is unusually straightforward here because Plaintiff has brought suit to enforce rights conferred by a federal statute. Plaintiff argues that she has no means of recovery against Prestige, the LEA, and can only protect her son's rights by enforcing the Agreement against Delaware, the SEA.
Delaware argues that no federal issue is necessarily raised by the Complaint, because, at its core, "[t]his is a contract action" to determine whether M.K. is owed money, and by whom. Def.'s Sur-Reply 4-5, ECF No. 15. This ignores the fact that the contract in question was negotiated to vindicate rights conferred by federal law, and that Delaware's defense requires resolution of the scope of its duty as the SEA. Delaware cites Lawrence Township Board of Education v. New Jersey ,
*634
The issue here is the scope of Delaware's responsibility as an SEA, and its designation as such is the creation of a federal statute. By definition, this is a question of federal law. See Charlene R. v. Solomon Charter Sch. ,
In that respect, this case is vastly different than Merrill Lynch. Plaintiff there exclusively brought claims under state law, and that was pivotal to the Court's decision. See Manning v. Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith, Inc.
ii. The Complaint raises an issue of federal law that is substantial.
Under Grable , the federal issue must be substantial. The facts of that case illustrate the application of the rule. There, a former land owner brought an action to quiet title against a purchaser who had acquired the property in question at a tax sale conducted pursuant to an IRS lien.
In cases where no federal jurisdiction has been found to exist, it is because such a systemic impact is lacking. For example, in Gunn v. Minton ,
Similarly, federal jurisdiction was held not to exist in Empire Healthchoice Assurance, Inc. v. McVeigh ,
In contrast to these cases, Plaintiff here invokes only federal law under a statute that creates a private right of action that is typically litigated in federal court. There would be no case or controversy under Delaware law or action in a Delaware court in the absence of the IDEA, and the agreement Plaintiff would be seeking to enforce involves only rights conferred by federal law. Furthermore, Delaware's arguments implicate the very structure of the Act-the responsibilities of an SEA, and ultimately the ability of a child to be educated. I find those issues substantial, *636and am persuaded that their resolution will govern subsequent cases as to the responsibility of an SEA when a charter school becomes defunct.
Delaware's position for purposes of contesting federal jurisdiction-that this is a mere contract action-would have me ignore the substantive basis on which it has otherwise sought dismissal. In that sense, Delaware's arguments mirror the arguments addressed in Charlene R. , where I did not allow state law provisions to control because "[t]he IDEA's goal of assuring a FAPE would be frustrated if a State may merely draft a provision that disclaims any liability for its oversight obligations under the Act."
In Charlene R. I based my holding on the language of the Act under §§ 1412(a)(11)(A)
Courts in other districts and circuits have also recognized the same. See, e.g. , Doe by Gonzales v. Maher ,
Delaware relies heavily upon Woods Services, Inc. v. Hazleton Area School District ,
iii. Asserting jurisdiction here will not disturb any congressionally approved balance between federal and state judicial responsibilities.
A federal court asserting jurisdiction pursuant to Grable must consider whether doing so constitutes an improper intrusion into matters traditionally the province of state courts. Thus, in Gunn , where the underlying action was one for legal malpractice, one of the factors weighing against federal jurisdiction was that states have "special responsibility for maintaining standards among members of the licensed professions."
But this is not a case of federalizing a claim brought under state law.
Admittedly, Delaware seeks to invoke principles of state law as a substantive defense, and to that extent there is a conflict.
*638But that conflict but goes to the very heart of the IDEA. As was case in Charlene R. , this case directly involves Delaware's obligations under the IDEA. Congress has conferred specific authority on the states under the IDEA. As I held in Charlene R. , the responsibility of an SEA to ensure that every child receives a FAPE is a critical structural issue under the IDEA. Any conflict between federal and Delaware law in deciding that issue weighs in favor of federal jurisdiction.
In that regard, it should be noted that this case involves not just federal law but federal funding, as Delaware, like other states, receives federal grants to assist in discharging its responsibilities. For example, for fiscal year 2016, $36,565,162 in federal grants was awarded to Delaware. Delaware Department of Education, Special Education: Grants and Funding, Part B Interactive Spreadsheet 1, https://www.doe.k12.de.us/cms/lib/DE01922744/Centricity/Domain/78/Interactive 20pdf 20version.pdf (last visited 1/29/2018).
Consequently, ruling in this case will not disturb a congressionally approved balance between federal and state judicial responsibilities, but rather serve to delineate the responsibilities of a state under the terms of a federal statute.
I therefore conclude that federal question jurisdiction exists here.
C. Substantive arguments supporting the motion to dismiss
Delaware advances eight different arguments to suggest that the complaint should be dismissed for failure to state a claim. Four of them are substantive in nature, and I address them first. Delaware contends that the Department of Education is not liable for the debts of the charter school as a matter of Delaware law; that it cannot be bound to the terms of the Settlement Agreement because it was not a party to the contract; that Plaintiff must proceed under Delaware corporate law in order to obtain recovery, including any remedies available under bankruptcy law; and that enforcement of the contract against the Department would violate public policy.
These defenses virtually mirror those raised by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in Charlene R. There is nothing in the applicable Delaware law cited by the defense that renders the analysis any different here. The essential and overriding point is the ultimate responsibility of an SEA to provide a FAPE. Charlene R. ,
D. Procedural arguments supporting the motion to dismiss
Delaware advances four additional defenses that are procedural in nature. It contends that Plaintiff's complaint was not brought within the applicable statute of limitations; that it should be barred by laches ; that the claim is not ripe for adjudication; and that Plaintiff failed to make proper service.
The arguments as to timeliness are closely related. The defense argues that because M.K. was denied a FAPE more than two years ago, the time with within which to bring a claim has expired. This ignores the fact that the present claims are *639based on violations of the Settlement Agreement. It is not disputed that Plaintiff's due process complaint was timely filed on November 30, 2015, well before the deadline of October 2, 2016. See Pl.'s Resp. 19, ECF No. 10. Delaware essentially suggests that I treat this present action, premised on violations of the Agreement, as accruing (and therefore time-barred) on the same date as that for filing a due process complaint.
Such a ruling would contradict a basic principle underlying statutes of limitations: that a cause of action accrues at the time of the wrongful act-i.e. , when it comes into existence as an enforceable claim or right. See, e.g. , Krahmer v. Christie's Inc. ,
As to ripeness, reputable counsel of record has represented to the Court that Prestige has ceased operation and is not renewing its charter. On that score, Prestige was served in this action but has failed to respond, which certainly lends credence to the proposition that Plaintiff cannot realistically look to it for performance. To the extent that Delaware can show there is meaningful recourse against Prestige, that remains a substantive defense. But in a case where a child's education is at stake, Plaintiff's allegations here are sufficient to present an issue ripe for resolution.
Finally, Delaware argues insufficient service because Plaintiff's method did not comply with a Delaware statute. But federal procedural rules govern service of process here, and Plaintiff's methods comply with those rules. See Fed. R. Civ. P. 4(j)(2)(A).
E. Conclusion
For the reasons set forth above, I will deny Defendant's Motion to Dismiss in its entirety.
I considered that interpretation most reasonable since any other would render the resolution process superfluous. See T.L. ,
Similarly, Lippitt v. Raymond James Financial Services, Incorporated does not support Delaware's position. See
See also Siravo v. Crown, Cork & Seal Co. ,
The defense is correct that Charlene R. is not binding but only persuasive authority. Not surprisingly, as the author of the opinion, I find it persuasive. But putting judicial vanity to one side, Charlene R. has been followed or cited by multiple courts, and no court has rejected or criticized it. See, e.g. , R.V. v. Rivera ,
Section 1412(a)(11)(A) provides: The State educational agency is responsible for ensuring that-
(i) the requirements of this subchapter are met;
(ii) all educational programs for children with disabilities in the State, including all such programs administered by any other State agency or local agency-
(I) are under the general supervision of individuals in the State who are responsible for educational programs for children with disabilities; and
(II) meet the educational standards of the State educational agency.
Section1413(g)(1) requires an SEA to use payments that would otherwise have been available to a local education agency or the State agency to provide special education and related services directly to children with disabilities residing in the area served by that local educational agency, or for whom the State agency is responsible.
It is worth noting that the question of federal law in this case does not arise as a result of explicit or implicit incorporation in a state law. As Delaware concedes, the law governing that issue does not incorporate nor does it even reference a federal statute, let alone the IDEA. See Def.'s Mot. 4, ECF No. 4.
It bears mention that, to the extent Delaware is required to meet the obligations of Prestige, it retains the same options as Plaintiff to pursue recovery against it. In the meantime, however, M.K. has independent rights under the IDEA and Delaware has independent responsibilities as an SEA where an LEA fails to meet its obligations.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- M.K., BY AND THROUGH his Mother, BARLOWE K. v. PRESTIGE ACADEMY CHARTER SCHOOL
- Cited By
- 2 cases
- Status
- Published