State Files Suit Against Chelsea School District in Handicapped Issue
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Mlw&' * wSWtt»v. -' %Ws< H&"» *. J'' I '.V V, QUOTE '/Thought is the blossom; language the bud; action 25c We fruit behind it." per copy ^:TRalph Waldo Emerson. Pffi HUNDRED-ELEVENTH YEAR—No. 40 CHELSEA, MICHIGAN, TUESDAY, MARCH 10, 1981 lBPoqesThis Week State Files Suit Against Chelsea School District In Handicapped Issue Within the boundaries of Chelsea has argued on issues of Van Meer explains that the sue Chelsea, a conflict between the cost, private placement and now boys in question were sent to St. Chelsea School District and St. residence. The organization con Louis School by their parents who Louis School for Exceptional tends that Chelsea has avoided elected to secure private educa Boys is brewing. This situation serving the children, advancing tion for their children. By doing surrounds six mentally handicap objection after objection. But, so, public education is waived ped boys attending St. Louis Chelsea contends that because of and the children should ideally be School, the Washtenaw Associa the state's refusal to conduct an placed there under the assump tion for Retarded Citizens investigation, complete with an tion that they will be given a (WARC) and Chelsea public official determination of residen private education. schools. cy is a direct denial of the right of The impact of this dilemma is But, the situation is a touchy due process. two-fold, according to Van Meer, one. According to state officials, While this educational war is First, placement of children from these six handicapped boys, from waged, the six boys in question areas other than Chelsea will homes outside the Chelsea area, are being educated at St. Louis result in serious financial hard are Chelsea residents and are, School. But, until the dilemma is ships on the district. Secondly, therefore, being denied a free resolved, the state board has the ultimate number of students public education in the Chelsea ordered the Washtenaw County is unpredictable. In a small rural School District. These arguments Intermediate School District to school district like Chelsea the are based on state law. which assume responsibility for the potential detrimental impact on states that a handicapped person, children; also ordering that all both handicapped and non- under the age of 26, is a "resident expenses be borne by the Chelsea handicapped students is incom of the school district in which the School District. CAUGHT IN THE MIDDLE: As the situation falls into the hands quirements of six handicapped students as a win-lose situation. "I prehensible. person habitually sleeps, keeps In the meantime, Chelsea is "We have challenged the state of the courts, Fr. Joseph Rinaldo of St. Louis School foresees the even- want what is best and what is right for the boys. I just don't want to seepersona l effects, and has a tual disposition of the case surrounding the educational rights and re- them get hurt," he explains. : challenging the state's conclu- Department of Special Education regular place of lodging for the sionary findings of residence. because we do not think that a purpose of securing a suitable "Our main concern is that it is proper investigation was made to home and not solely for an educa not morally right for people to answer the question of residence. Immunization tional purpose." place their child in a private For about six months, we have, Cagers Lose In letters received last sum school and request a public tried to get the state to conduct a Clinic Set mer, the parents of these children education," explained proper investigation," Van Meer requested the right of public Superintendent Ray Van Meer. continued. or llir8c a education for their children. An "State or agency placed children "Officials at St. Louis and at investigation by the state ensued, are perceived as orphans, we the state Board of Education are Rv 1 Point in T^iriiil^ of ^ ^ i y consisting of phone calls to these have no difficulty in accepting reacting to a WARC advocate *~* J VriJ.J.1^ MM.M. M. illCII0 \JM. EducatioRecentlny passethe Chelsed a Resolutioa Boardn o f parents who stated that their them. We assume responsibility who filed this complaint & %, Rriitratinwhich wiln l naoseexcludd e afro R&snlutinm schoonl children were placed at St. Louis for them and state funds accom regardless of the fact that he has attendance on April 13,1981, all for, primarily residential pur pany them." (Continued on page five) students who are new to the poses. But, Chelsea schools District Tournament Chelsea School District who have sought to prove or disprove not presented evidence of re residency as the determining fac W Chelsea began its district Following Tuesday's vjctory It was an emotional, loud and quired immunizations. This ac tor. These students were not ad Fire Chief Gaken championship competition Tues over Dexter, Chelsea faced crowded night. Chelsea, hosting tion of the Board is in compliance mitted to Chelsea schools day evening in a game against Brooklyn Columbia Central in the District 37 basketball cham- with state law. because determination of their arch rival Dexter. Defeating the semi-f inal district championship pionship took to the court to face To assist parents in obtaining residency was not established via vDreadnaughts, 75-57, Chelsea ad action Wednesday night. Chelsea "dark horse" Tecumseh in their proper immunizations for their a thorough investigation by the Retires from Post vanced into semi-final, action third match-up of the year. 13t p^par^enj of Education; the ^$IW5£WJ^ fb^M^ta^ 8fc: 3¾¾ Oh d£tt5* tfie CheTSe^- School !&•*$'* Wednesday. *• twice in the regular conference But last week, the StafeBoard "mitted B the Chelsea "Village Also a thank e wives Against Dexter, the Bulldogs season. This time, it was of Education authorized the state Council Monday, March 3 in put up with missed appointments, • exhibited their Usual good first attorney general to take action which Fire Chief James Gaken cold meab, missed night outs, half performance, only to im 3;sBW.tssavantage but we committed toso endeSK&rwrd the night with a 4948 lasat gjsshsgrass against Chelsea schools, charg submitted his resignation. and other Inconveniences so their munization clinic on March 11, prove in the second half. Dexter many turnovers and let them in minute win to clinch the district from8:30a.m.toll:30a.m.inthe ing that the school system is il Gaken had served the Fire husbands could be firemen. also played a strong first half. side too often." crown. high school science building for legally denying education to the Dept. for 34 years, the last 18 of Thanks also to the township Key players figuring in the con The game started out rather Bulldog supporters packed the all new school-enterers and all six mentally impaired youths. which he has served as chief. governments and officials and test were Chelsea's Jeff Dils with disappointingly for the Bulldogs stands like sardines. elementary students in grades 1 Chelsea will appeal the Chief Gaken's letter follows: residents for their help and sup . 13 points in the first half and a 28 who trailed, 10-15, at the end of the "Regardless of the, outcome, it through 5. At this time, students charges, contending that the Due to the fact that I am unable port. point game and Dexter's Rob Ian- first quarter. But, by half-time was really a great night for the in grades 6 through 12 may also issue of legal residency has never to be as mobile as I feel is Thanks also to my wife and ni with 15 points in the first half Chelsea had closed in and taken a team," commented Robin Ray receive immunizations if their been determined. And, according necessary to carry out the job of family for their indulgence over and, like Dils, a total of 28 points one-point lead, 32-31. The mond reflecting on the standing parents obtain permission slips to the school's legal counsel, fire chief, I plan to retire. My the years. for the game. Bulldogs' greatest lead ovations given h|s players as they at the school offices prior to the Chelsea will not abide by addi retirement will be effective with Again, thanks to all of you. Chelsea pulled ahead with a throughout the game was a both walked on and off the court. tional findings because the the annual department elections Sincerely, "They deserve all the credit in clinic date. 14-11 lead at the end of the first seven-point margin in the second Parents are urged to review the Department of Education would and upon approval and appoint James Gaken, Chief, ^quarter and headed into the quarter. the world for having turned the be obviously biased. ment of a new chief by the village Chelsea Fire Department. season around like they did." immunizations of their children -locker room with a four-point With the absence of height, and, if necessary, to update them WARC, serving as an advocate president. lead, 35-31, at intermission. Still, Chelsea held on for dear life in Six Chelsea cagers played their in order to comply with the law. for the parents, charges that Upon my retirement, I will according to Chelsea coach Robin the third quarter and first six last high school game. As seniors, have served on the department Police Report Raymond, "We let Dexter inside minutes of the fourth quarter. Jeff Dils, Jeff Price, Sean Peter for 34 years. I joined the depart too much in the first half." The game became a battle be- son, Jon Riemenschneider, Mark ment on March 31,1947 and have 10 Arrests .