Appeal of R.L. and A.L., on behalf of their children, from action of the Board of Education of the Pine Bush Central School District regarding transportation.

Decision No. 18,658

(November 24, 2025)

Thomas, Drohan, Waxman, Petigrow & Mayle, LLP, attorneys for respondent, David H. Strong, Esq., of counsel

ROSA., Commissioner.--Petitioners appeal the decision of the Board of Education of the Pine Bush Central School District (“respondent”) to deny afterschool transportation for their two children.  The appeal must be dismissed for improper service.

Section 275.8 (a) of the Commissioner’s regulations requires that the petition be personally served upon each named respondent.  If a school district is named as a respondent, service upon the 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, 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 (8 NYCRR 275.8 [a]; Appeal of B.H., 57 Ed Dept Rep, Decision No. 17,246; Appeal of Peterson, 48 id. 530, Decision No. 15,939).

Here, the petition was not personally served upon respondent; it was sent via certified mail with return receipt requested.  This is not a method of service authorized by 8 NYCRR 275.8 (a).  Accordingly, the appeal must be dismissed (Appeal of J.A., 64 Ed Dept Rep, Decision No. 18,538; Appeal of T.A., 63 id., Decision No. 18,367; Appeal of Lang, 62 id., Decision No. 18,164).

In light of this disposition, I need not address the parties’ remaining contentions.

THE APPEAL IS DISMISSED.

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