<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2K9FM4_0vj0yEpW00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2K9FM4_0vj0yEpW00" width="1015" height="571" >WARREN COUNTY, Ohio – Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) has filed a federal lawsuit against the Warren County Educational Service Center (WCESC) and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), alleging violations of special education laws. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, comes after DRO’s attempts to resolve the matter through state-level complaints and appeals.The dispute began in 2022 when DRO filed a systemic state complaint with DEW, asserting that WCESC and associated school districts were in violation of special education regulations. DEW initially ruled in favor of DRO, identifying numerous legal violations and ordering corrective actions, including compensatory education hours for affected students. However, DRO later discovered that DEW had overturned its findings under pressure from WCESC and certain local school districts.In a statement, DRO Executive Director Kerstin Sjoberg said, “DEW failed to inform DRO or the students’ families of the change. This process deprived families of due process and students of necessary compensatory education services.” DRO contends that DEW’s actions violated its own policies.After exhausting administrative appeals within the state, DRO, along with co-counsel Michael J. Boyle, filed the federal lawsuit, seeking intervention from the court to ensure that students with disabilities receive the education services previously mandated. The lawsuit argues that DEW’s reversal of its findings has left families without the legal recourse guaranteed by state and federal law.The federal lawsuit is part of DRO’s ongoing efforts to protect the rights of students with disabilities at WCESC. DRO’s actions reflect concerns over mismanagement and alleged violations of special education law, as well as the impact of those actions on vulnerable students in the county.Families with students affected by this issue are encouraged to contact DRO for more information on the lawsuit. DRO’s contact number is 800-282-9181.DRO has yet to receive a public response from DEW or WCESC regarding the lawsuit or the overturned decision.</div></body>

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Disability Rights Ohio files federal lawsuit over special education violations at Warren County Educational Service Center

WARREN COUNTY, Ohio – Disability Rights Ohio (DRO) has filed a federal lawsuit against the Warren County Educational Service Center (WCESC) and the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW), alleging violations of special education laws. The case, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, comes after DRO’s attempts to resolve the matter through state-level complaints and appeals.