023765P.pdf   03/01/2004  MO Dept. Education  v.  Springfield R-12
   U.S. Court of Appeals Case No:  02-3765
   Western District of Missouri   
   Civil case - Education law. Because the school district could not 
   provide an appropriate program for the disabled student in question, the 
   Missouri Dept of Elementary and Secondary Education became 
   responsible as the direct provider of services for the student; once the 
   district notified the Dept and the Missouri School for the Blind that it 
   could not adequately educate the student, the Dept became responsible 
   for her education and was required to provide a representative at the 
   student's individualized education program planning meeting; the 
   administrative panel and the district court did not err in holding the Dept 
   liable for the costs of the student's tuition at an out-of-state residential 
   placement; district court erred in awarding the parents of the student 
   expert witness fees and expenses as these are not taxable costs under the 
   IDEA. 
   [PUBLISHED][Smith, Author]