- A former teacher from the Lansing School District is suing the district for allegedly failing to meet the needs of students with disabilities
- The district is accused of violating Michigan's Whistleblower's Protection Act after the teacher claims the district retaliated for filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education
- Video shows an explanation of the lawsuit and the plaintiff's attorney commenting.
UPDATED: JULY 29, 9:53 P.M. TO INCLUDE STATEMENT FROM LANSING SCHOOL DISTRICT
The Lansing School District is facing a lawsuit from a former teacher who claims the district failed to meet the needs of students with disabilities.
Danelle Hovenkamp, the plaintiff who filed a 10-page lawsuit at Ingham County Circuit Court, claims the district didn't address her concerns that it failed to implement individualized education programs (IEP) to students at Everett High School.
Those are plans that schools provide to students with disabilities who need some additional help or services with making sure that they have the larning support that they need," said Liz Abdnour, Hovenkamp's attorney.
Abdnour says Hovenkamp had 90 days to file the lawsuit, per the statute of limitations. Abdnour says the suit was filed on the last day the statute of limitations would allow.
The complaint alleges Hovenkamp filed a complaint to the U.S. Department of Education when her concerns weren't addressed.
"[The lawsuit alleges] Lansing Schools was discriminating against students with disabilities to implement those legally required services for them," said Abdnour.
WATCH: FULL INTERVIEW WITH ATTORNEY LIZ ABDNOUR, REPRESENTING DANELLE HOVENKAMP
Hovenkamp's complaint also accuses an administrator within the district of retaliatory behavior.
Abdnour said the behavior included changing Hovenkamp's schedule, increasing her workload and putting Hovenkamp on a 'growth plan' because her students' grades were slumping.
"It was put into place because her students weren't achieving the academic success that they were supposed to, which was directly because they weren't getting the IEP supports that they needed," said Abdnour.
Abdnour says she and Hovenkamp have been in touch with the district for mediation.
Abdnour hopes the lawsuit can be resolved or more litigation is possible.
"Our goal, if possible, is to resolve everything without having to go through litigation," said Abdnour. "If we have to, there are additional claims we may bring.
In a statement to Fox 47 News the Lansing School District said:
“As a District we are committed to providing our students with the supports and services that they need in accordance with all state and federal laws and regulations.
We have a dedicated staff of caring and compassionate employees who love what they do and they do it well. Our staff continuously strive to go above and beyond to support our students in every learning environment.
“Our students are at the heart of everything that we do and we are committed to serving our families.Because of state and federal privacy restrictions, we typically do not comment on pending litigation.
However, we do look forward to defending our District against this lawsuit.”
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