Parents Sue For School Services

The Pocatello School District has been sued by a family over the alleged lack of special education services for their 13-year-old daughter.

Debra and Charles Eaves are seeking a reversal of a decision by the state Department of Education that their daughter Carey Eaves no longer is eligible to receive those services.

The girl suffers from attention deficit disorder, as well as other medical conditions unrelated to her learning ability. She has been taught at home by visiting teachers for several years.

Her medical conditions make it impossible for her to participate in a school setting, the suit claims.

Charles Eaves said that even when the girl was provided with special education services, she was not adequately challenged.

“For example, if they were going to give her a science test, they would give her the test to go over before taking it. This is not what we want for her. We want her to learn,” Eaves said.

In the meantime, school officials are threatening to prosecute the family for keeping the child at home.

“We have had a situation where we have been in disagreement with the mother over how to handle one of her children. A hearing determined that the child was not eligible for special education services. It is apparent that the mother has chosen to keep her at home,” Superintendent David Peck said.