Meeting of the Board of Regents | November 2008

THE STATE EDUCATION DEPARTMENT / THE UNIVERSITY OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK / ALBANY, NY 12234

 

TO:	Full Board
FROM:	Kathy A. Ahearn
SUBJECT:	Proposed Amendment of Parts 275 and 276 and §100.2(y) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education Relating to Education Law §310 appeals to the Commissioner of Education
DATE:	November 3, 2008
STRATEGIC GOAL:	Goal 4
AUTHORIZATION(S):

 

 

Summary

 

Issue for Decision

 

              Should the Board of Regents amend Parts 275 and 276 and §100.2(y) of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education, relating to Education Law §310 appeals to the Commissioner of Education?

 

Reason for Consideration

 

              Review of Policy.

             

Proposed Handling

             

              The proposed amendment will be presented to the Board of Regents for action at the November Regents meeting.

 

Procedural History

 

              The proposed amendment was discussed by the Board of Regents at the October Regents meeting.

 

Background Information

 

              Education Law §310 authorizes the Commissioner of Education to decide appeals of  persons considering themselves aggrieved by actions taken at a school district meeting or by school authorities.  The appeal decisions of the Commissioner are quasi-judicial in nature and are officially reported and indexed in the Education Department Reports (currently 47 volumes) and are posted on the Department’s web site.                 The Commissioner issues approximately 200 decisions a year on a wide range of subjects including student residency, student discipline, school district elections, transportation and personnel matters.

              The regulations governing the practice to be followed in §310 appeals are found in Parts 275 and 276 of the Commissioner's Regulations.  

              Over the years, these regulations have been amended from time to time to address specific issues, the last time being in 2005 to clarify appeal procedures involving homeless students.  However, there has not been a general review of the regulations in many years.  The proposed amendment is necessary to enact technical changes to clarify, update and otherwise conform the regulations to established practice.

 

              A Notice of Proposed Rulemaking was published in the State Register on August 6, 2008.  The last day for receipt of public comment was September 22, 2008.  No comments were received.  However, an initial draft of the proposed amendment was sent, for review and comment, to the New York School Boards Association, New York State United Teachers, New York City Department of Education, New York State Council of School Superintendents, New York State Association of School Attorneys and the Department's Office of State Review, and their comments were considered in drafting the final proposed amendment.

 

  A copy of the express terms is attached.  Supporting materials for the proposed amendment are available upon request from the Secretary to the Board of Regents.

 

Recommendation

 

It is recommended that the Board of Regents take the following action:

 

VOTED:  that paragraph (4) of subdivision (y) of section 100.2 and Parts 275 and 276 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education be amended, as submitted, effective December 11, 2008.

 

Timetable for Implementation

 

              If adopted at the November meeting, the proposed amendment will become effective on December 11, 2008.

 

 

Attachment

 

 

              Pursuant to Education Law sections 101, 207, 215, 305, 310, 311, 3202, 3209, 3214, 3712 and 3713.

              1.  Paragraph (4) of subdivision (y) of section 100.2 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective December 11, 2008, as follows:

(4)  that the determination of the board may be appealed to the Commissioner of Education, in accordance with Education Law section 310, within 30 days of the date of the determination, and that the procedure for taking such an appeal may be obtained from the Office of Counsel at www.counsel.nysed.gov, or by mail addressed to the Office of Counsel, New York State Education Department, State Education Building, Albany, NY 12234 or by calling (518) [474-5807] 474-8927.

              2.  Part 275 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective December 11, 2008, as follows:

Section 275.1  Parties.

The party commencing an appeal shall be known as petitioner [or appellant] and any adverse party, as respondent. After an appeal is commenced in accordance with these rules, no party shall be joined or be permitted to intervene, except by leave or direction of the Commissioner of Education.

Section 275.2  .   .   . 

Section 275.3  Pleadings.

(a)  .   .   .

(b) Additional pleadings.  The commissioner may permit or require the service and filing of additional pleadings upon good cause shown and upon such terms and conditions as [he] the commissioner may specify.  [An additional pleading may be served upon all other parties and filed with the office of counsel only with the prior permission of the commissioner, granted upon application of the party desiring to submit such pleading. The proposed pleading shall accompany such application, and both the application and the proposed pleading shall be served upon all other parties in accordance with subdivision (b) of section 275.8 of this Part.]  A party seeking to file an additional pleading shall submit an application to the Office of Counsel, at the address specified in subdivision (a) of section 275.9 of this Part, which shall state the reason(s) why such pleading is necessary and include a copy of the proposed pleading, together with proof of service of the application and the proposed pleading upon all parties in accordance with subdivision (b) of section 275.8 of this Part.

(c)  .   .   .

(d)  .   .   .

Section 275.4  Names of parties or attorneys to be endorsed on all papers.

(a)  All pleadings and papers submitted to the commissioner in connection with an appeal must be endorsed with the name, post office address and telephone number of the party submitting the same, or, if a party is represented by counsel, with the name, post office address and telephone number of [his] the party’s attorney.

(b)  .   .   .

Section 275.5  Verification.

(a)  All pleadings shall be verified. The petition shall be verified by the oath of at least one of the petitioners, except that when the appeal is taken by the trustee or the board of trustees or board of education of a school district, it shall be verified by any person who is familiar with the facts underlying the appeal, pursuant to a resolution of such board authorizing the commencement of such appeal on behalf of such trustees or board. An answer shall be verified by the oath of the respondent submitting such answer [, except that when the respondent is a domestic corporation, the verification shall be made by an officer thereof]. If the appeal is brought from the action of the trustee or board of trustees or board of education of a school district, verification of the answer shall be made by any person who is familiar with the facts underlying the appeal. If two or more respondents are united in interest, verification of the answer shall be made by at least one of them who is familiar with the facts.  When a party is a corporation, limited liability company (LLC), limited liability partnership (LLP), or other business entity, the verification shall be made by an officer or other authorized representative thereof.  A reply shall be verified in the manner set forth for the verification of an answer.

(b)  .   .   .

Section 275.6  Affidavit of verification.

              The affidavit of verification shall be in substantially the following form:

STATE OF NEW YORK 

COUNTY OF ______ ss.:

 ______________________being duly sworn, deposes and says that [he] he/she is ______________________ in this proceeding; that [he] he/she has read the annexed ______________________ and knows the contents thereof; that the same is true to the knowledge of deponent except as to the matters therein stated to be alleged upon information and belief, and as to those matters [he] he/she believes it to be true.

                                                    _______________________________________________

                                                                                    (Signature)

                                                        _______________________________________________

(In the case of a corporation, LLC, LLP, or other business entity, include the title of officer or authorized representative signing the affidavit of verification)

Subscribed and sworn to before                                                 

me this  ___________ day of ___________                                        

[19] 20____                                                                        

 _________________________________________                                                                     

(Signature [and title of officer] of notary public)                                               

Section 275.7  Oaths.

(a)  All oaths required by these rules may be taken before any person authorized to administer oaths within the State of New York. The statement of an attorney admitted to practice in the courts of this State and appearing in an appeal as attorney of record or of counsel to the attorney of record, when subscribed and affirmed by [him] him/her to be true under the penalty of perjury, may be served or filed in the appeal in lieu of and with the same force and effect as an affidavit.

(b)  .   .   .

Section 275.8  Service of pleadings and supporting papers.

(a)  Petition.  A copy of the petition, together with all of petitioner's affidavits, exhibits, and other supporting papers, except a memorandum of law or affidavit in support of a reply, shall be personally served upon each named respondent, or, if [he] a named respondent cannot be found upon diligent search, by delivering and leaving the same at [his] the respondent’s residence with some person of suitable age and discretion, between six o'clock in the morning and nine o'clock in the evening, or as otherwise directed by the commissioner. If a school district is named as a party respondent, service upon such school district shall be made personally by delivering a copy of the petition to the district clerk, to any trustee or any member of the board of education of such school district, to the superintendent of schools, or to a person in the office of the superintendent who has been designated by the board of education to accept service. If a board of cooperative educational services is named as a party respondent, service upon such board shall be made personally by delivering a copy of the petition to the district superintendent, to a person in the office of the district superintendent who has been designated by the board to accept service, or to any member of the board of cooperative educational services. Pleadings may be served by any person not a party to the appeal over the age of 18 years.  If the last day for service of the petition falls on a Saturday or Sunday, service may be made on the following Monday; and if the last day for such service falls on a legal holiday, service may be made on the following business day.

(b)  Subsequent pleadings and papers.  All subsequent pleadings and papers shall be served upon the adverse party or, if the adverse party is represented by counsel, upon [his] such party’s attorney. When the same attorney appears for two or more parties, only one copy need be served upon [him] such attorney. Service of all pleadings subsequent to the petition shall be made by United States mail, by private express delivery service or by personal service. Service by mail shall be complete upon deposit of the paper enclosed in a postpaid properly addressed wrapper, in a post office or official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States Postal Service [within the state].  Service by private express delivery shall be complete upon delivery of the pleading or paper enclosed in a properly addressed wrapper to an employee or agent of such private express delivery service or by deposit of such pleading or paper, properly addressed and wrapped, in a depository of such private express delivery service.  If the last day for service of any pleading or paper subsequent to the petition falls on a Saturday or Sunday, service may be made on the following Monday; and if the last day for such service falls on a legal holiday, service may be made on the following business day.  

(c)  Award of bid.  If an appeal involves the award of a contract pursuant to article 5-A of the General Municipal Law or pursuant to subdivision 14 of section 305 of the Education Law, and a party other than the [appellant] petitioner has been designated as the successful bidder or has been awarded a contract, such successful bidder must be joined as a respondent and must be served with a copy of the petition. In such case, the respondent board of education or board of trustees shall forward to the commissioner, within 20 days after service of the petition on appeal, a copy of the notice to bidders together with proof of publication thereof, a copy of the specifications and copies of all bids or proposals.

(d)  .   .   .

(e)  Alternative service in appeals regarding the education of homeless children.  Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section, service of pleadings and supporting papers in appeals regarding a homeless child's or youth's access to a free, appropriate public education pursuant to section 100.2(x) of this Title may be made upon a school district, school district employee and/or school district officer named as a party respondent by delivering a copy of the pleadings and supporting papers to the school district's local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth. The local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth shall either accept service of the pleadings and supporting papers on behalf of the named school district, school district employee and/or school district officer, or effect service by mail by mailing the petition, petitioner's affidavits, exhibits, and other supporting papers to the named school district employee, school district officer and/or a person in the office of the superintendent who has been designated by the board of education to accept service on behalf of the school district, and by mailing all subsequent pleadings and papers to the adverse party or, if the adverse party is represented by counsel, to [his/her] the party’s attorney. When the same attorney appears for two or more parties, only one copy need be served upon the attorney.

Section 275.9  Filing and fee. 

(a)  Within five days after the service of any pleading or paper, the original, together with the affidavit of verification and an affidavit proving the service of a copy thereof, shall be transmitted to the Office of Counsel, New York State Education Department, State Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. The affidavit of service shall be in substantially the form set forth below and shall indicate the name and official character of the person upon whom service was made.

FORM FOR AFFIDAVIT OF PERSONAL SERVICE

STATE OF NEW YORK 

COUNTY OF  _____________ss.:

 ________________________ , being duly sworn, deposes and says that [he] he/she is over the age of eighteen years and is not a party in this proceeding; that on the ____day of ____, [19] 20____ , at No. _____________________ Street, in the town of ______________, county of _________, State of New York, [he] he/she served the annexed ___________ on _______________________by delivering to and leaving with said ______________________ at said time and place a true copy thereof.  Deponent further says [he] he/she knew the person so served to be the said ________________who [______] is ____________________ in said district and who is duly authorized to accept service.

                                                                                    _______________________________

                                                                                                  (Signature)

Subscribed and sworn to before                                                 

me this  ___________ day of ___________, [19] 20__ .

_________________________________

(Signature [and title of officer] of notary public)

FORM FOR AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE BY MAIL

STATE OF NEW YORK 

COUNTY OF  ______ss.:

 _____________________ , being duly sworn, deposes and says that [he] he/she is over the age of eighteen years and is not a party in this proceeding; that on the ____day of _______, [19] 20____, deponent served the within ____________ upon _____________________in this action, at ______________________, the addresses designated by _____________ for that purpose, by depositing a true copy of the same by mail, enclosed in a post paid properly addressed wrapper, in ____a post office ______official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States Post Office Department [within the State of New York].

                                                                                    ____________________________

                                                                                                  (Signature)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of  ____, [19] 20____

 ____________

(Signature and [title of officer] of notary public)

FORM FOR AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE BY PRIVATE EXPRESS DELIVERY SERVICE

STATE OF NEW YORK 

COUNTY OF  ______ss.:

               _____________________ , being duly sworn, deposes and says that he/she is over the age of eighteen years and is not a party in this proceeding;  that on the ___ day of ______________, 20__, deponent served the within upon ____________ in this action, at _______________ , the address designated by __________ for that purpose, by:

(1)  delivering a true copy of the same, enclosed in a properly addressed wrapper, to an employee/agent of _______________ (name of private express delivery service) , for delivery to said party at said address; or

(2)  depositing a true copy of the same, enclosed in a properly addressed wrapper, in a depository of _______________ (name of private express delivery service) for delivery to said party at said address.

                                                                                    __________________________________                                                                                                            (Signature)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of  ____, [19] 20____

 ________________________

(Signature of notary public)

(b)  Filing in an appeal regarding the education of a homeless child or youth.  In an appeal regarding a homeless child's or youth's access to a free, appropriate public education pursuant to section 100.2(x) of this Title, within five days after the receipt and/or acceptance of service of any pleading or paper from petitioner, the local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth, shall transmit the original, together with an affidavit of such local educational agency liaison proving that he/she either accepted service of the pleading on behalf of the adverse party or served the pleading by mailing it to the adverse party, to the Office of Counsel, Education Department, State Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. The affidavit of service shall be in the form set forth below and shall indicate the name and official character of the person upon whom service was made.

FORM FOR AFFIDAVIT OF ACCEPTANCE OF PERSONAL SERVICE BY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL LIAISON FOR HOMELESS CHILDREN AND YOUTH

STATE OF NEW YORK 

COUNTY OF  ______ss.:

 __________________, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he/she is the local educational agency liaison for homeless child and for youth for the school district; that on the ____day of ____ , 20 ____ he/she accepted service of the annexed ______ on behalf of _____________________ .

                                                                                     ________________________________

                                                                                                    (Signature)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this  ____ day of ____ , 20 __

 ____________

(Signature [and title of officer] of notary public)

FORM FOR AFFIDAVIT OF SERVICE BY MAIL BY LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY LIAISON

STATE OF NEW YORK 

COUNTY OF  ______ss.:

 ________________________, being duly sworn, deposes and says that he/she is over the age of eighteen years and is the local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth for the ____________________ school district; that on the ____ day of ____, 20 ____, deponent served the within __________ upon _________________ in this action, at _____________________ , the address designated by _____________ for that purpose, by depositing a true copy of the same mail, enclosed in a post paid wrapper addressed to the named school district employee or officer or a person in the office of the superintendent who has been designated by the board of education to accept service on behalf of the school district, in ____ a post office ____ official depository under the exclusive care and custody of the United States Post Office Department [within the State of New York].

 

                                                                                     ________________________________

                                                                                    (Signature)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this day of  ____ , 20 __

 _________________________________

(Signature [and title of officer] of notary public)

(c)  Filing fee.  A fee of $20, payable to the State Education Department, shall accompany the filing of a petition in an appeal to the Commissioner of Education, except that there shall be no fee for the filing of a petition pursuant to Education Law [,] section 4404(2).  No fee shall be required [in appeals brought before the commissioner pursuant to Education Law, section 310 that do not seek review of a determination of an impartial hearing officer but involve matters related to the provision of a free appropriate public education to a pupil with a handicapping condition or] in appeals regarding a homeless child's or youth's access to a free, appropriate public education pursuant to section 100.2(x) of this Title. The requirement of a filing fee may be waived, at the discretion of the commissioner, upon application by a petitioner in the form of an affidavit by petitioner or petitioner's attorney. Such affidavit shall set forth the amount and sources of all income of petitioner, whether taxable or not; shall list all property held by petitioner, including real estate, personal property and bank accounts, together with the total value of each category; and shall state that the petitioner is unable to pay the fee necessary to initiate the appeal.

Section 275.10  Contents of petition.

              The petition shall contain a clear and concise statement of the petitioner's claim showing that the petitioner is entitled to relief, and shall further contain a demand for the relief to which the petitioner deems [himself] himself/herself entitled. Such statement must be sufficiently clear to advise the respondent of the nature of petitioner's claim and of the specific act or acts complained of.

Section 275.11  Notice with petition.

(a)  Each petition must contain the following notice:

Notice: 

You are hereby required to appear in this appeal and to answer the allegations contained in the petition. Your answer must conform with the provisions of the regulations of the Commissioner of Education relating to appeals before the Commissioner of Education, copies of which are available from the Office of Counsel, New York State Education Department, State Education Building, Albany, NY 12234. 

If an answer is not served and filed in accordance with the provisions of such rules, the statements contained in the petition will be deemed to be true statements, and a decision will be rendered thereon by the commissioner. 

              Please take notice that such rules require that an answer to the petition must be served upon the petitioner, or if [he] the petitioner be represented by counsel, upon [his] the counsel, within 20 days after the service of the appeal, and that a copy of such answer must, within five days after such service, be filed with the Office of Counsel, New York State Education Department, State Education Building, Albany, NY 12234.

(b)  If a stay is being requested, the notice provisions of section 276.1 of this Title shall also apply.

(c)  If seeking removal of a school officer, the notice provisions of section 277.1 of this Title shall also apply.

[(b)  The provisions of this section shall not apply to appeals brought before the commissioner pursuant to Education Law, section 310 that do not seek review of a determination of an impartial hearing officer but involve matters related to the provision of a free appropriate public education to a pupil with a handicapping condition. The petition in such an appeal shall contain the notice set forth in section 279.3 of this Title, except that the notice shall indicate that a decision will be rendered by the commissioner.] 

Section 275.12  Contents of answer.

(a) The answer of each respondent shall contain a clear and concise statement of [his] each respondent’s defenses to each claim and shall either admit or deny the allegations of the petition. In addition, each respondent may set forth affirmative defenses or defenses by way of avoidance. If more than one respondent has been named and served and if common questions of law or fact are involved, the respondents, if otherwise united in interest, may submit a joint answer to the petition.

(b)  In appeals involving student discipline, it shall be the responsibility of the board of education, board of trustees or sole trustee to include with its answer the record of the disciplinary hearing prepared in accordance with Education Law section 3214.  The record shall include the transcript of the hearing, in either stenographic or tape recorded form, and any documents admitted into evidence.

Section 275.13  Service of answer and supporting papers.

(a)  Each respondent upon whom a copy of the petition has been served shall, within 20 days from the time of such service, answer the same, either by concurring in a statement of facts with the petitioner or by service in the manner set forth in section 275.8(b) of this Part of an answer, together with all of respondent's affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers [, except a memorandum of law]. The date upon which personal service was made upon respondent shall be excluded in the computation of the 20-day period.

(b)  The commissioner, in his/her sole discretion, may excuse a failure to serve an answer within the time prescribed in subdivision (a) of this section for good cause shown.  The reasons for such failure shall be set forth in the answer.

[(b)] (c)  Alternative service of answer and supporting papers in an appeal regarding a homeless child's or youth's access to a free, appropriate public education pursuant to section 100.2(x) of this Title.  If petitioner so elects, respondent shall serve the answer upon the local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth, together with all of respondent's affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers, except a memorandum of law. In such case, the local educational agency liaison for homeless children and youth shall notify the petitioner of his/her receipt of the answer, together with all of respondent's affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers by serving these documents upon petitioner at petitioner's last known address in the manner set forth in section 275.8(b) of this Part or, upon petitioner's request, by making copies of these documents available to petitioner without cost.

[(c)  The provisions of subdivision (a) of this section shall not apply to appeals before the commissioner pursuant to Education Law, section 310 that do not seek review of a determination of a impartial hearing but involve matters related to the provision of free appropriate public education to a pupil with a handicapping condition. In such appeals service of the answer and supporting papers shall be made in accordance with the provisions of section 279.5 of this Title.]

Section 275.14  Reply.

(a)  The petitioner shall reply to each affirmative defense contained in an answer. The reply, together with any affidavits which shall be limited to support of such reply, shall be served within 10 days after service of the answer to which it responds in the manner set forth in section 275.8(b) of this Part. If the answer has been served by mail upon petitioner or [his] petitioner’s counsel, the date of mailing and the four days subsequent thereto shall be excluded in computing the 10-day period.

(b)  .   .   .

[(c)  The provisions of subdivisions (a) and (b) of this section shall not apply to appeals before the commissioner pursuant to Education Law, section 310 that do not seek review of a determination of a impartial hearing officer but involve matters related to the provision of free appropriate public education to a pupil with a handicapping condition. In such appeals, no pleading other than a petition and an answer will be accepted or considered by the commissioner, except a reply by the petitioner to any procedural defenses interposed by a respondent.  Such reply shall be served and filed within three days after service of the answer.  If the answer has been served by mail upon petitioner or his counsel, the date of mailing and the four days subsequent thereto shall be excluded in computing the three-day period.]

Section 275.15  Representation by attorney.

[A] An individual party [other than a school district or a corporation may prosecute or defend] may represent himself or herself in an appeal before the commissioner [in person,] or may be represented by an attorney.  A school district, [or a corporate party] corporation, LLC, LLP or other business entity [may] shall appear only by an attorney. An individual permitted to appear in administrative proceedings under a practice order issued pursuant to sections 478 and 484 of the Judiciary Law by a department of the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court of the State of New York may represent a party under the supervision of the attorney of record.

Section 275.16  Limitation of time for initiation of appeal.

An appeal to the commissioner must be instituted within 30 days from the making of the decision or the performance of the act complained of.  The commissioner may, in his/her discretion, and at any stage of the proceedings, dismiss an untimely appeal.  The commissioner, in [his] his/her sole discretion, may excuse a failure to commence an appeal within the time specified for good cause shown. The reasons for such failure shall be set forth in the petition.

Section 275.17  Amicus curiae.

The commissioner may, in [his] his/her sole discretion and upon written application submitted at or before oral argument, permit interested persons or organizations to submit memoranda of law amicus curiae in connection with a pending appeal. Those permitted to submit memoranda amicus curiae shall not be considered parties to the appeal before the commissioner and shall not be entitled to receive copies of pleadings and papers pertaining thereto or to participate in oral argument.

Section 275.18 Consolidation

              If common questions of law and fact are involved, the commissioner may, in his or her sole discretion and at any stage of the proceedings, consolidate two or more appeals for the submission of pleadings and other papers and/or the issuance of a decision.  In such case, the commissioner may permit or require the service and filing of pleadings, affidavits, memoranda of law and any other papers required or authorized to be served pursuant to Parts 275 and 276 upon such terms as the commissioner may specify.

              3.  Part 276 of the Regulations of the Commissioner of Education is amended, effective December 11, 2008, as follows:

Section 276.1  Stay of proceedings.

(a)  The initiation of an appeal shall not, in and of itself, effect a stay of any proceedings on the part of any respondent. [If the] A petitioner [desires] desiring a stay [,] [he] shall make application therefor by a duly verified petition, stating the facts and the law upon which such stay should be granted. Affidavits in opposition to an application for a stay order may be submitted by any party opposing such application.  Such affidavits shall be served within three business days after service of the petition on all other parties, and the original affidavits shall be transmitted to the Office of Counsel, New York State Education Department, State Education Department Building, Albany, NY 12234 by personal delivery, express mail delivery, or equivalent means reasonably calculated to assure receipt of such affidavits within 24 hours of service [filed with the office of counsel within three business days after service of the petition], unless the commissioner shall provide otherwise. The commissioner may, in [his] his/her discretion, with or without application therefor, grant a stay if in [his] the commissioner’s judgment the issuance of such a stay is necessary to protect the interests of the parties, or any of them, pending an ultimate determination of the appeal.

(b)  A petition which contains a request for a stay shall contain the following notice in addition to that otherwise required by this [Chapter] Title:

Please take further notice that the within petition contains an application for a stay order. Affidavits in opposition to the application for a stay must be served on all other parties and filed with the Office of Counsel within three business days after service of the petition.

(c)  .   .   .

Section 276.2  Oral argument. 

(a)  If a petitioner desires an opportunity for oral argument before the commissioner, a request therefor must be clearly set forth in the petition. If no such request is made, the respondent or, if there be more than one, a respondent, may request oral argument at any time prior to or with the service of an answer. If a petitioner has failed to request oral argument, but respondent has made a timely request, petitioner may, within two weeks from receipt of respondent's request, request oral argument [on his own behalf].

(b)  The commissioner may, in [his] his/her sole discretion, determine whether oral argument shall be had.  In the event the Commissioner grants a request for oral argument, the Office of Counsel shall notify the parties.

(c)  .   .   .

(d)  .   .   .

(e)  .   .   .

(f)  .   .   .

Section 276.3  Extensions of time to answer or reply.

(a)  [No extension of time to answer the petition or to reply to an answer will be granted by the commissioner unless timely application is made therefor, upon notice to all parties. Such application shall be in writing, addressed to the office of counsel, must be postmarked not later than five days prior to the date on which the time to answer or reply will expire, and shall set forth in full the reasons for the request. The time to answer a pleading may not be extended solely by stipulation of the parties or their counsel.]  The commissioner may permit an extension of time to answer the petition or reply to an answer upon good cause shown and upon such terms and conditions as the commissioner may specify.  A party seeking an extension shall make such request to the Office of Counsel prior to the expiration of the time to serve such answer or reply. 

(b)  .   .   .

Section 276.4  Memoranda of law.

(a)  Memoranda of law, consisting of the parties' arguments of law may be submitted by any party to an appeal, and may be requested by the commissioner’s counsel or by the commissioner [or by his counsel]. The petitioner shall serve a copy of any memorandum of law upon every other party to the appeal in the manner provided by section 275.8(b) of this Title, and shall file such memorandum of law, with proof of service thereof in accordance with section 275.9 of this Title, within 20 days after service of the answer or 10 days after service of the reply, whichever is later.  Each  respondent shall serve a copy of any memorandum of law, upon every other party in the manner provided by section 275.8(b) of this Title, and shall file such memorandum of law with proof of service thereof in accordance with section 275.9 of this Title, within 30 days after service of the answer or 20 days after service of the reply, whichever is later. Where the answer is served upon petitioner or petitioner's counsel by mail, the date of mailing and the four days subsequent thereto shall be excluded in the computation of the 20-day period in which petitioner's memorandum of law must be served and filed. Reply memoranda will be accepted only with the prior approval of the commissioner. The commissioner, in [his] his/her sole discretion, may permit the late filing of memoranda of law upon written application by a party, setting forth good cause for the delay and demonstrating the necessity of such memoranda to a determination of the appeal, together with proof of service of a copy of such application upon all other parties to the appeal.

[(b)  Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section, in an appeal brought before the commissioner pursuant to Education Law, section 310 that does not seek review of a determination of an impartial hearing officer but involves matters related to the provision of a free appropriate public education to a pupil with a handicapping condition, memoranda of law shall be served by the parties together with their respective pleadings.]

(b) [(c)]  Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (a) of this section, in an appeal regarding a homeless child's or youth's access to a free, appropriate public education pursuant to section 100.2 (x) of this Title, memoranda of law may be served in the manner provided by either section 275.8 (b) or (e) of this Title.

Section 276.5  Additional affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers. 

(a)  The commissioner may permit or require the service and filing of affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers, in addition to those served in accordance with sections 275.8, 275.13 and 275.14  of this Title, upon good cause shown and such terms and conditions as [he] the commissioner may specify. [Such affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers may be served upon all other parties and filed with the office of counsel only with the prior permission of the commissioner, granted upon application of the party desiring to submit such document. The affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers shall accompany such application, and the application, together with the affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers, shall be served upon all other parties in accordance with section 275.8(b) of this Title.]  A party seeking to file affidavits, exhibits and other supporting papers pursuant to this subdivision shall submit an application to the Office of Counsel, which shall state the reason(s) why such affidavits, exhibits or other supporting papers are necessary and include a copy of each such affidavit, exhibit or other supporting papers, together with proof of service of the application and the proposed exhibits, affidavits or other supporting papers upon all parties in accordance with subdivision (b) of section 275.8 of this Part.

(b)  .   .   .

Section 276.6  Records and reports.

The commissioner may, in [his] his/her discretion, in the determination of an appeal, take into consideration any official records or reports on file in the Education Department which relate to the issues involved in such an appeal.

Section 276.7  Decisions to be filed.

(a)  .   .   . 

(b)  .   .   .

Section 276.8  Reopening of a prior decision.

(a)  .   .   .

(b)  .   .   .

(c)  The commissioner may, on [his] his/her own motion, reopen a prior decision in the absence of an application therefor where in [his] the commissioner’s judgment the interests of justice will be served thereby.

(d)  .   .   .

(e)  .   .   .

Section 276.9  Dismissal of appeal.

The commissioner may, in [his] his/her discretion, and at any stage of the proceedings, dismiss an appeal if it appears to [his] the commissioner’s satisfaction that the appeal is untimely, pursuant to section 275.16 of this title; that the petition does not set forth a clear and concise statement of the petitioner's claim; or that the appeal has become [academic] moot. The provisions of this section shall not apply to appeals before a State review officer of the State Education Department brought pursuant to section 4404 of the Education Law.

Section 276.10  Transfer of appeals and severance of claims.

(a)  Appeals to the commissioner initiated on or after July 1, 1990 which seek review of the determination of an impartial hearing officer after a hearing regarding the identification, evaluation, program or placement of a student with a disability, shall be transferred by the commissioner to a State review officer of the State Education Department for determination. In the event that the commissioner determines that a pleading in an appeal to the commissioner raises one or more claims which seek review of the determination of an impartial hearing officer pursuant to Education Law [,] section 4404(2), the commissioner shall direct that such claim or claims be severed from the appeal and shall transfer the severed claims to a State review officer for determination. Upon transfer pursuant to this section, such an appeal or severed claim shall be deemed to be an appeal to the State review officer initiated on the date that the original appeal to the Commissioner of Education was initiated.

(b)  .   .   .