Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
Questions Answered by Ryan Ford
1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Washington on
Q: I live in Washington state can a school district force a parent to put them in a residential school out of state?

My son is 12 year old with disabilities. We live in Washington state. The district sent my son to residential school in New York I was concerned with his safety. The district here in Washington state agreed for him to come home and finish school here. The day he got back to Washington everything... View More

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Jun 23, 2022

This is a complex question that requires additional information. There are circumstances where a school district can force a placement but the parent then has the option of filing for due process or revoking special education services. Depending on the circumstances, I'm often able to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Washington on
Q: my son told me he was molested 2 years ago by another kid. the bus and the school failed to notify us what can we do?
Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Aug 29, 2018

Do you have reason to believe that the bus driver or school or school district was aware your son was molested by the other child?

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Washington on
Q: There is a group of teachers being bullied by our principal. We have gone to HR several years with the same complaints.

Nothing is being done. What can we do to stop the bullying.

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Jun 28, 2018

What is the nature of the bullying? Please provide more detail. Thank you.

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for Washington on
Q: My sons school has not followed the bulling policy by legislation. What are the next steps?

School has not made any reports when my son and I have complained about bullying, they said they would move the other students but have not done so, and another school did not follow the IEP the year before.

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Jan 11, 2018

Regarding the bullying issue you could file a formal Harassment, Intimidation Bullying (HIB) complaint with the District.

Depending on the nature of the bullying and the District's failures you may have a viable negligence or Section 504 lawsuit against the District.

If the...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: What field of lawyer do I need to sue a school district for not keeping my kids safe at school during school hours
Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Oct 12, 2017

You want an education attorney. If you don't mind me asking, what happened?

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for California on
Q: Weird thing to ask; Is a school teacher allowed to prohibit a student from attending a on site field trip?

even if the parent has already filled out the field trip form. Can a chaperone force a student to return to classes, despite the student not doing anything terrible?

District: LAUSD.

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Sep 28, 2017

More specifics are required. Why did the substitute require the student to return to class?

2 Answers | Asked in Education Law and Personal Injury for California on
Q: I have been harassed by a teacher and a staff member of my school and want to know what can be done

I was put on anti-depressants because of the emotional distress they have been causing me for 3 months. And just today an email was forwarded to me by accident of one of them making fun of my depression and completely laughing about my request to be excused from class 1 day to see my psychiatrist... View More

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Sep 28, 2017

More facts are required, but if you have a solid case, a lawyer could take your case on contingency, at little to no cost to you, and sue under Section 504 and other state disability law.

View More Answers

2 Answers | Asked in Education Law for California on
Q: My daughter is transgender. She transitioned socially at the start of this school year but hadn't begun hormone therapy

yet. Her school district is telling her she can't try out or compete on the girls recreational volleyball team. Is this true?

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Sep 6, 2017

The federal law on this particular issue is in a state of flux. California has a very strong law for transgender students. See Edu. Code 221

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law, Contracts, Family Law and Education Law for Washington on
Q: is there a law that daycare centers MUST prorate for days the child misses it they are there full time?

My sons dad is trying to get out of paying for daycare unless they prorate cuz he misses 5 days. He is now 2 months behind in daycare.

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Aug 3, 2017

There's no law that I'm aware of. You look at the terms of the contract you signed and agreed to. If the contract says prorate, you prorate. If the contract says it's a fixed rate regardless of days missed, you pay in full. If the contract is silent, there's a decent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law for California on
Q: Can schools share emails with a lawyer without legal cause?

I recently asked a school for a nonattendance record and their laser chimed in to my surprise as the,what I had thought to be private convoy,didn't warrant a lawyer nor were legal actions being threatened or pursued. Is it legal to share personal emails outside the direct schools affiliates?... View More

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Jul 27, 2017

Yes, under the circumstances you described, your school likely did not violate FERPA by sharing the information with outside counsel.

When schools and districts outsource institutional services or functions, FERPA permits the disclosure of personally identifiable information from education...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Education Law and Juvenile Law for Washington on
Q: How old do you have to be to drop out of highschool on your own in Washington state?
Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Jul 11, 2017

Like all other states, Washington State has a compulsory attendance law. For Washington, children from 8 - 18 must attend school with few exceptions.

1 Answer | Asked in Sexual Harassment for Washington on
Q: Who do I need to consult if my son is being accused of sexual harassment by a school staff (he's a minor)
Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Jul 11, 2017

I just signed up with JUSTIA. I see that you posted your question 3 months ago. Are you still having issues with your son's school?

1 Answer | Asked in Communications Law, Civil Rights, Criminal Law and Education Law for Washington on
Q: Can you record conversation that you are a party too?

if I call my daughters school can I record conversation of their office employee who lies about prior conversations and has caused problems but her supervisor didn't believe you before so you will be able to prove it? (Can't say it is being recorded because then she won't speek... View More

Ryan Ford
Ryan Ford
answered on Jul 11, 2017

No. Pursuant to RCW 9.73.030, you may not record your conversation with the office employee without her consent. RCW 9.73.030 does, however, offer a caveat:

"Where consent by all parties is needed pursuant to this chapter, consent shall be considered obtained whenever one party has...
View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.