Section 504
Section 504 is a federal law designed to protect the rights of individuals with disabilities. The Section 504 regulations require a school district to provide a "free and appropriate public education" (FAPE) to each qualified student with a disability who is in the school district's jurisdiction, regardless of the nature or severity of the disability. Under Section 504, FAPE consists of the provision of services and supports designed to meet the student's individual educational needs as adequately as the needs of nondisabled students are met.
Section 504 and the ADA protect qualified individuals with disabilities. An individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; has a record of such an impairment; or is regarded as having such an impairment. Major life activities means functions such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. Under Section 504 and the ADA, a person is a qualified individual with a disability if he or she meets the essential requirements for receipt of services or benefits, or participation in the programs or activities of a covered entity. The question of whether a particular condition is a disability within the meaning of Section 504 and the ADA is determined on a case-by-case basis.
For further information about Section 504 and accommodations for students attending any school within the SAU 24, please contact the 504 Coordinator at the appropriate school.
| Henniker Community School
Courtney Beach |
603-428-3476 |
|---|---|
| James Faulkner Elementary School
Allison Peterson |
603-446-3348 |
| Center Woods Elementary School
Jacquelyn Cornwell |
603-529-4500 |
| Center Woods Upper Elementary School
Shawne Hilliard |
603-529-7555 |
| Weare Middle School
Shawne Hilliard |
603-529-7555 |
| John Stark Regional High School
Amdra Hall |
603-529-7675 |
You may also contact the SAU 504 Coordinator:
Marth LeMahieu
SAU 24
Director of Student Services
258 Western Avenue, Henniker, NH 03242
Phone: 603-428-3269
Email: martha.lemahieu@sau24.org
NOTICE OF PARENT/STUDENT PROCEDURAL SAFEGUARDS
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
The following is a description of the procedural safeguards afforded pursuant to Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act ("Section 504" to parents and their children who are identified as disabled. The school district is obligated to inform you of decisions about your child and of your rights if you disagree with any of those decisions.
You have the following rights:
- To have your child take part in, and receive benefits from, public education programs without discrimination because of his/her disability;
- To have the school district advise you of your rights under federal law;
- To receive notice from the school with respect to the identification, evaluation, educational program or placement of your child;
- According to the U.S. Department of Education's 504 regulations, to have your child receive a free appropriate public education. This includes the right to be educated with non-disabled students to the maximum extent appropriate. It also includes the right to reasonable accommodations, modifications, and related aids and services necessary for your child to benefit from his or her educational program.
- To have your child educated in comparable facilities and receive comparable services to those provided non-disabled students;
- To have decisions regarding your child's evaluation, program and placement based upon a variety of information sources, and made by persons familiar with the student, the evaluation data, and the placement options;
- To have your child re-evaluated periodically, to the extent necessary, including before any significant changes are made to your child's educational program or placement;
- To have your child receive an equal opportunity to participate in extra-curricular school activities;
- To examine all relevant educational records relating to decisions regarding your child's identification, evaluation, education program, and placement;
- To file a complaint through local complaint procedures regarding any alleged violation of the Rehabilitation Act;
- To request an impartial hearing, to be conducted by a person who is not an employee of the district, to dispute decisions or actions regarding your child's identification, evaluation, educational program or placement as a student with a disability. You and your child may take part in the hearing and have an attorney represent you at your own expense. Questions about how to request a hearing may be forwarded to the person responsible for the district's compliance with Section 504 listed below;
- To have the decisions made by hearing officers or others reviewed in state or federal court.
The person in this School who is responsible for assuring that the School complies with Section 504 is the Principal. The person in SAU #24 who is responsible for assuring that all Districts comply with Section 504 is the Director of Student Services, Sherry Burbank.
For information on 504s from the US Department of Education: http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/504faq.html
Your rights under section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act (Office of Civil Rights): http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/civilrights/resources/factsheets/504.pdf
The New Hampshire Department of Education will respond to questions concerning Section 504 by contacting:
Tina Greco
Section 504 Coordinator
21 South Fruit Street Suite 20
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: (603) 271-3993
Email: Tina.Greco@doe.nh.gov
Any formal complaints must be sent to:
Boston Office
Office for Civil Rights
US Department of Education
8th Floor 5 Post Office Square
Boston, MA 02109-3921
Phone: (617) 289-0111
FAX: (617) 289-0150; TDD: 877-521-2172
E-mail: OCR.Boston@ed.gov