Notes from a meeting

[Anonymous]

I was in my DD's evaluation meeting last week all alone and it went fine. Throughout the meeting, one member of the team was taking notes and I (stupidly) was not. Am I allowed to request a copy of the notes? Nothing negative was said but I just want the notes as a review of what was shared and the process going forward. If I am allowed to request them, how do I go about it? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

At our school, the notes are always sent home with any other paperwork from the meeting.

Request a copy of the notes - just email the case manager and ask her to email you a digital copy of the notes or send a paper copy home with your kid.

[Anonymous]

A hint. We always quietly set up our Ipad to tape audio. It came in very handy when a private was on a witch-hunt and was trying to expel kids. When they started in after our kid I quietly made it known that I had "notes" proving the school had violated not only its own rules and regulations but the IDEA and we got a full refund. Even if illegal in your state (to tape someone without their knowledge - we don't live in a "two-party" consent state), that issue won't come up until it becomes an evidence issue at trial, which rarely happens in these cases. So next time, just ask "do you mind if I made an audio tape of this conversation" and set up your I phone eor Ipad to do so.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A hint. We always quietly set up our Ipad to tape audio. It came in very handy when a private was on a witch-hunt and was trying to expel kids. When they started in after our kid I quietly made it known that I had "notes" proving the school had violated not only its own rules and regulations but the IDEA and we got a full refund. Even if illegal in your state (to tape someone without their knowledge - we don't live in a "two-party" consent state), that issue won't come up until it becomes an evidence issue at trial, which rarely happens in these cases. So next time, just ask "do you mind if I made an audio tape of this conversation" and set up your I phone eor Ipad to do so.

Was this a private special ed school?

[Anonymous]

regular private, although we always taped the public IEP meetings as well.

[Anonymous]

I asked to tape a meeting, they balked snd were very upset and offended

[Anonymous]

I was the OP. I asked for the notes which had been originally handwritten and got a VERY edited typed version. They weren't very helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A hint. We always quietly set up our Ipad to tape audio. It came in very handy when a private was on a witch-hunt and was trying to expel kids. When they started in after our kid I quietly made it known that I had "notes" proving the school had violated not only its own rules and regulations but the IDEA and we got a full refund. Even if illegal in your state (to tape someone without their knowledge - we don't live in a "two-party" consent state), that issue won't come up until it becomes an evidence issue at trial, which rarely happens in these cases. So next time, just ask "do you mind if I made an audio tape of this conversation" and set up your I phone eor Ipad to do so.

I am not sure this is legal under Maryland law. Md. Code Ann. § 10-402. It would depend on whether the meeting would be considered private. Here is a link to a web page from the Reporter's Committee, a very reputable organization. http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/state-state-guide/maryland

[Anonymous]

Virginia is not a "two-party"consent state so it's OK there but I usually ask in advance if there is any objection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A hint. We always quietly set up our Ipad to tape audio. It came in very handy when a private was on a witch-hunt and was trying to expel kids. When they started in after our kid I quietly made it known that I had "notes" proving the school had violated not only its own rules and regulations but the IDEA and we got a full refund. Even if illegal in your state (to tape someone without their knowledge - we don't live in a "two-party" consent state), that issue won't come up until it becomes an evidence issue at trial, which rarely happens in these cases. So next time, just ask "do you mind if I made an audio tape of this conversation" and set up your I phone eor Ipad to do so.

I am not sure this is legal under Maryland law. Md. Code Ann. § 10-402. It would depend on whether the meeting would be considered private. Here is a link to a web page from the Reporter's Committee, a very reputable organization. http://www.rcfp.org/reporters-recording-guide/state-state-guide/maryland

It is definitely not legal in Maryland. And since the recording cannot be used as evidence of anything or as leverage with the district without admitting that you illegally taped school personnel without their consent, I don't even see the point. Especially since all you have to do, at least in MCPS, is tell them 24 hours ahead of time that you want to tape so they can bring their own device, then you can record to your heart's content. It isn't a big deal, just one little hoop to jump through, so why not just do it the right way so you can actually use the audio if you need to?

[Anonymous]

The point is that if you have it taped, and the school admin. tries to pull a fast one, you have proof of lying. And sometimes that's all it takes. I had one parochial school try to pull that on an SN kid. The resources person said she had said "X". I said "No, you said Y and I can prove it". She had no idea how I could prove it but she completely backed down because she knew she had been lying and we got what we wanted. The fact that it can't be introduced in a two-party state in evidence is almost a moot issue because these cases rarely go to trial.

[Anonymous]

I'm a teacher in MCPS and we always designate a staff member to take notes at every meeting. Then when the meeting's over we make a copy of the notes and hand it to the parent before they leave.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The point is that if you have it taped, and the school admin. tries to pull a fast one, you have proof of lying. And sometimes that's all it takes. I had one parochial school try to pull that on an SN kid. The resources person said she had said "X". I said "No, you said Y and I can prove it". She had no idea how I could prove it but she completely backed down because she knew she had been lying and we got what we wanted. The fact that it can't be introduced in a two-party state in evidence is almost a moot issue because these cases rarely go to trial.

Well, technically it's a felony in MD. It's not just about admissibility of evidence, the law has fines and jail time attached. The last case I heard of was eventually dropped, but I'm sure it still resulted in huge legal bills. And I imagine if you did it to the wrong person who had a bug up their butt, they might sue you. Not to mention completely wrecking any chance of a decent working relationship with the school team. Just doesn't seem like a good plan, especially when you can tape all you like with 24 hrs notice.

[Anonymous]

But that's not the case in one party consent states like Virginia. Yes, MD is a two party consent state but you are the rare bird. See map. http://www.vegress.com/index.php/can-i-record-calls-in-my-state