Tom Freston Wins Special Education Appeal Against New York City

The United States Supreme Court this morning affirmed a lower court's ruling that New York City must reimburse wealthy parents who sent their learning-disabled son to a private school before trying a program offered by the public schools.

The justices issued a split 4-to-4 decision in the case, New York City Board of Education v. Tom F., meaning a lower court's ruling in favor of the plaintiff, the former Viacom chief executive Tom Freston, stands. The decision was announced in a two-sentence statement issued by the court this morning.

Because of the split ruling, the decision does not establish a precedent for similar cases in the future. Justice Anthony M. Kennedy did not take part in today's decision. No explanation was given for Justice Kennedy's absence from the case.

Read more on New York Times