Appeal of A.M. from action of the Board of Education of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District regarding access to school property.

Decision No. 18,608

(July 29, 2025)

Hodgson Russ LLP, attorneys for respondent, Andrew J. Freedman, Esq., of counsel

ROSA., Commissioner.--Petitioner appeals the decision of the Board of Education of the Oakfield-Alabama Central School District (“respondent”) prohibiting him from accessing school property for the 2024-2025 school year.  The appeal must be dismissed as moot. 

The Commissioner will only decide matters in actual controversy and will not render a decision on a state of facts that no longer exists due to the passage of time or a change in circumstances (Appeal of Sutton, 57 Ed Dept Rep, Decision No. 17,331; Appeal of a Student with a Disability, 48 id. 532, Decision No. 15,940; Appeal of M.M., 48 id. 527, Decision No. 15,937; see Matter of Hearst Corp. v Clyne, 50 NY2d 707, 714 [1980]).  Where the Commissioner can no longer award a petitioner meaningful relief on his or her claims, no live controversy remains and the appeal must be dismissed (Appeal of R.B., 57 Ed Dept Rep, Decision No. 17,394; Appeal of N.C., 40 id. 445, Decision No. 14,522). 

The restrictions placed upon petitioner ended at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.  Accordingly, there is no further meaningful relief that can be granted and the appeal must be dismissed (Appeal of J.Q., 59 Ed Dept Rep, Decision No. 17,739; Appeal of S.K., 57 id., Decision No. 17,339).[1]

THE APPEAL IS DISMISSED.

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