N.B. Ex Rel. D.G. v. Alachua Cnty. Sch. Bd., 84 F.3d 1376 (11th Cir. 1996). · Go Syfert
N.B. Ex Rel. D.G. v. Alachua Cnty. Sch. Bd., 84 F.3d 1376 (11th Cir. 1996). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
“if parents can bypass the exhaustion requirement of the idea by merely moving their child out of the defendant school district, the whole administrative scheme established by the idea would be rendered nugatory.”
161 citation events (134 in the last 25 years) across 35 distinct courts.
Negative lean: 6th  ·  Positive lean: 11th, 9th
Strongest positive: Cindy Li v. Revere Local Sch. Dist. (ca6, 2023-05-08) · Strongest negative: Covington v. Knox County School System (ca6, 2000-03-06)
Treatment trajectory · 1997 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1997 2011 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 50 distinct citers.
discussed Cited "but see" Covington v. Knox County School System (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
6th Cir. · 2000 · signal: but see · confidence high
But see N.B., 84 F.3d at 1379 (finding it irrelevant, for exhaustion purposes, that the plaintiff “no longer attends any of the defendant school districts”); Torrie v. Cwayna, 841 F.Supp. 1434, 1442 (W.D.Mich.1994) (same).
discussed Cited "but see" Covington v. Knox County School System (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
6th Cir. · 2000 · signal: but see · confidence high
But see N.B., 84 F.3d at 1379 (finding it irrelevant, for exhaustion purposes, that the plaintiff "no longer attends any of the defendant school districts"); Torrie v. Cwayna, 841 F. Supp. 1434, 1442 (W.D.
discussed Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Cindy Li v. Revere Local Sch. Dist.
6th Cir. · 2023 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the exhaustion requirement, however, is not jurisdictional
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) M.P. v. Ind. School Dist 721
8th Cir. · 2003 · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
if parents can bypass the exhaustion requirement of the idea by merely moving their child out of the defendant school district, the whole administrative scheme established by the idea would be rendered nugatory.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) J.M. v. New York City Dept. of Ed.
2d Cir. · 2025 · confidence medium
See, e.g., K.I. v. Durham Public Schools Board of Education, 54 F.4th 779, 792 (4th Cir. 2022); Payne v. Peninsula School District, 653 F.3d 863, 867 (9th Cir. 2011), overruled on other grounds by Albino v. Baca, 747 F.3d 1162, 1171 (9th Cir. 2014); Mosely v. Board of Education of the City of Chicago, 434 F.3d 527 , 532–33 (7th Cir. 2006); N.B. by D.G. v. Alachua County School Board, 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996), abrogated on other grounds by Luna Perez v. Sturgis Public Schools, 598 U.S. 142 , 147–48 (2023).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) John Doe by and through A.W. v. Hernando County School District (2×)
M.D. Fla. · 2024 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996) (abrogated on other grounds by Luna Perez, 598 U.S. 142 ).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kimberly Powell v. School Board of Volusia County, Florida
11th Cir. · 2023 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996) (same).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) K.I. v. Durham Public Schools Board
4th Cir. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996) (per curiam) (“The exhaustion requirement . . . is not jurisdictional . . . .”). 19 USCA4 Appeal: 20-1834 Doc: 38 Filed: 12/05/2022 Pg: 20 of 24 K.I. and J.I.’s failure to exhaust administrative remedies, they raised the IDEA exhaustion requirement before the district court and continued to advance that argument here on appeal.
cited Cited as authority (rule) D. L. v. Hernando County Sheriff's Office
M.D. Fla. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Oakes v. Thurgood Marshall Academy
D.D.C. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996) (per curiam).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mr. and Ms. Doe v. Portland Public Schools
1st Cir. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (1st Cir. 1996)). "[T]he provision of judicial review is 'by no means an invitation to the courts to substitute their own notions of sound educational policy for those of the school authorities which they review.'" Id. at 61 (quoting Bd. of Educ. v. Rowley, 458 U.S. 176, 206 (1982)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Valentin-Marrero v. Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
1st Cir. · 2022 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) D. D. v. Lausd
9th Cir. · 2021 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Kenneth McMillen v. New Caney Indep Sch Dist
5th Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996); but see Payne v. Peninsula Sch.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Doucette v. Jacobs
1st Cir. · 2019 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir. 1996)(per curiam))).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Robert R. Prunty, Jr. v. Desoto County School Board and District
11th Cir. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996) (concluding that the IDEA’s exhaustion requirement applied to plaintiff’s § 1983 claim for money damages).
cited Cited as authority (rule) J. L. v. Wyoming Valley West School Dis
3rd Cir. · 2018 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996). 7 * * * For the foregoing reasons, we will affirm the judgment of the District Court. 8
discussed Cited as authority (rule) J.M. Ex Rel. McCauley v. Francis Howell School District
8th Cir. · 2017 · confidence medium
School Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996) (holding that plaintiffs cannot avoid the exhaustion requirement by limiting relief to money damages because otherwise, “future litigants could avoid the exhaustion requirement simply by asking for relief that administrative authorities could not grant”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Gibson Ex Rel. Gibson v. Forest Hills Local School District Board of Education
6th Cir. · 2016 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 1996) (same), with Cave v. E.
cited Cited as authority (rule) A.L. v. Jackson County School Board
11th Cir. · 2015 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Dorsey v. Pueblo School District 60
D. Colo. · 2015 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996); see also Doe By & Through Doe v. Smith, 879 F.2d 1340, 1343 (6th Cir.1989) (“[T]he parents’ unilateral act of removing their child from a public school does not waive the right to seek reimbursement under the [IDEA], [and] it does not mean that the procedures in the [IDEA] may be by-passed.”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Zdrowski v. Rieck
E.D. Mich. · 2015 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (“The exhaustion requirement ... is not jurisdictional and therefore “‘is not to be applied inflexibly.’”” (citation omitted)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Laura A. Ex Rel. J.O. v. Limestone County Board of Education
11th Cir. · 2015 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (holding litigants cannot “avoid the exhaustion requirement simply by asking for relief that administrative authorities [cannot] grant,” such as money damages or relief from a former school district).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Stanek v. St. Charles Community Unit School District 303
7th Cir. · 2015 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (assuming availability of § 1983 for IDEA violation); Angela L. v. Pasadena Indep.
cited Cited as authority (rule) Ripple v. Marble Falls Independent School District
W.D. Tex. · 2015 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996); see also Charlie F. ex rel.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Alboniga v. School Board of Broward County Florida (2×)
S.D. Fla. · 2015 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Barnett v. Baldwin County Board of Education
S.D. Ala. · 2014 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) (finding that plaintiff must exhaust administrative remedies before proceeding with a § 1983 claim for violations of the IDEA).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) R.L. v. Miami-Dade County School Board (2×) also: Cited "see"
11th Cir. · 2014 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (per curiam).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Harris v. Department of Homeland Security
S.D. Fla. · 2014 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378-79 (11th Cir.1996) (citing Ass’n for Retarded Citizens of Alabama v. Teague, 830 F.2d 158, 160 (11th Cir.1987)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) A.L. Ex Rel. P.L.B. v. Jackson County School Board (2×)
11th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir. 1996) (per curiam) (internal quotation marks omitted).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Muskrat Ex Rel. J.M. v. Deer Creek Public Schools
10th Cir. · 2013 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Moore ex rel. the Estate of A.M. v. Chilton County Board of Education
M.D. Ala. · 2013 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996); see also M.T.V., 446 F.3d at 1159 .
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Jennifer B. v. Chilton County Board of Education (2×) also: Cited "see"
M.D. Ala. · 2012 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996). 2.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Payne Ex Rel. D.P. v. Peninsula School District (6×)
9th Cir. · 2011 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (per curiam) (“The exhaustion requirement ... is not jurisdictional----”).
cited Cited as authority (rule) R.K. Ex Rel. J.K. v. Board of Education
E.D. Ky. · 2010 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996); Mrs. W. v. Tirozzi, 832 F.2d 748, 756 (2nd Cir.1987); Hayes Through Hayes v. Unified Sch.
cited Cited as authority (rule) B.I. v. Montgomery County Board of Education
M.D. Ala. · 2010 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir. 2006)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Atlanta Independent School System v. S.F. (2×)
N.D. Ga. · 2010 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) (quoting Ass’n for Retarded Citizens v. Teague, 830 F.2d 158,160 (11th Cir.1987)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Sagan v. Sumner County Board of Education
M.D. Tenn. · 2010 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) GJ Ex Rel. EJ v. MUSCOGEE COUNTY SCHOOL DIST.
M.D. Ga. · 2010 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) (per curiam)).
cited Cited as authority (rule) G.J. ex rel. E.J. v. Muscogee County School District
M.D. Ga. · 2010 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) (per curiam)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Payne v. Peninsula School District
9th Cir. · 2010 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (holding that parents’ removal of a child from the school district does not excuse the failure to exhaust administrative remedies), cited with approval in Robb, 308 F.3d at 1049 .
cited Cited as authority (rule) School Board of Lee County v. M. M. Ex Rel. M. M.
11th Cir. · 2009 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) (quotation omitted) (emphasis added).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) School Board v. L.H. ex rel. D.H.
M.D. Fla. · 2009 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (per curiam) ("The exhaustion requirement, however is not jurisdictional and therefore is not to be applied inflexibly." (quotation and citation omitted)); M.T.V. v. Dekalb County Sch.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) School Bd. of Manatee County, Fla. v. Lh
M.D. Fla. · 2009 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996) (per curiam) ("The exhaustion requirement, however is not jurisdictional and therefore is not to be applied inflexibly." (quotation and citation omitted)); M.T.V. v. Dekalb County Sch.
cited Cited as authority (rule) C.S. ex rel. Scott v. Missouri State Board of Education
E.D. Mo. · 2009 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996).
cited Cited as authority (rule) L.G. & K.G. v. School Board of Palm Beach County
11th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378-79 (11th Cir.1996) (citation omitted, alteration in original).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) L.M.P. ex rel. E.P. v. School Board
S.D. Fla. · 2007 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) quoting Ass’n for Retarded Citizens of Alabama v. Teague, 830 F.2d 158, 160 (11th Cir.l987)(citing Smith v. Robinson, 468 U.S. 992 , 104 S.Ct. 3457 , 82 L.Ed.2d 746 (1984)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) LMP Ex Rel. EP v. School Bd. of Broward County
S.D. Fla. · 2007 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) quoting Ass'n for Retarded Citizens of Alabama v. Teague, 830 F.2d 158 , 160 (11th Cir.1987)(citing Smith v. Robinson, 468 U.S. 992 , 104 S.Ct. 3457 , 82 L.Ed.2d 746 (1984)).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) J.P. v. Cherokee County Board of Education (2×) also: Cited "see"
11th Cir. · 2007 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1378 (11th Cir.1996) (quotation omitted) (emphasis added).
cited Cited as authority (rule) DeKalb County School District v. J.W.M. Ex Rel. W.M.
N.D. Ga. · 2006 · confidence medium
Bd., 84 F.3d 1376, 1379 (11th Cir.1996).
N.B., by Her Mother and Next Friend, D.G. A/K/A N.B., Plaintiff-Appellant,
v.
ALACHUA COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD, Robert W. Hughes, Superintendent, Alachua County School Board, Individually and in His Official Capacity, Suwannee County School Board, Charles F. Blalock, Jr., Superintendent, Suwannee County School Board, Individually and in His Official Capacity, Columbia County School Board, Diane Lane, Superintendent, Columbia County School Board, Individually and in Her Official Capacity, Defendants-Appellees
95-3214.
Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit.
Jun 7, 1996.
84 F.3d 1376
N. Albert Bacharaeh, Jr., N. Albert Ba-eharach P.A., Gainesville, FL, for appellant., Francis H. Sheppard, Francis H. Sheppard, P.A., Orlando, FL, for appellees., John M. Caceiatore, Gregory David Swart-wood, Unger, Caceiatore & Swartwood, P.A, Orlando, FL, for Suwannee County School Board & Charles F. Blalock, Jr.
Tjoflat, Dubina, Black.
Cited by 92 opinions  |  Published
PER CURIAM:

We affirm the judgment of the district court for the reasons stated in the district court’s dispositive order of July 20, 1995, which appears in the Appendix.

AFFIRMED.

APPENDIX

ORDER

This cause comes before the Court upon motion to dismiss plaintiffs first amended complaint by defendants Alachua County School Board and Columbia County School Board (doc. 6). For the reasons stated below, the motion is GRANTED.

[*1378] BACKGROUND

Plaintiff N.B. is a hearing impaired child. During the relevant time periods, N.B. lived in either Columbia or Suwannee County, Florida. Sometime prior to March 1986, N.B. was bused from her home in Columbia or Suwannee County to attend a special school for hearing impaired children in Ala-chua County. Plaintiff claims that this decision caused her to be segregated from hearing students. She also claims that the long bus ride caused her to miss a significant portion of class work each school day. N.B. left the State of Florida at the end of the 1992/93 school year and is no longer in the Florida educational system.

N.B. has brought this suit alleging violations of the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act (“IDEA”), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq. She seeks compensatory damages under the IDEA (Count I) and 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Count II).

In the motion to dismiss, defendants move for dismissal of the first amended complaint based on the following four grounds: 1) the plaintiff has failed to exhaust administrative remedies; 2) the plaintiffs claims are barred by the statute of limitations; 3) compensatory damages are not available under the IDEA; and 4) compensatory damages are not available under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of the IDEA. Because the Court finds dismissal is appropriate for plaintiffs failure to exhaust necessary administrative remedies as a prerequisite to filing this action, the Court need not reach the remaining three issues concerning the statute of limitations and the availability of compensatory damages under the IDEA and 42 U.S.C. § 1983.

DISCUSSION

The IDEA, formerly known as the Education for All Handicapped Act (“EHA”), 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq., provides federal money to state and local education agencies in order to assist them in educating handicapped children, on the condition that the states and local agencies implement the substantive and procedural requirements of the Act. The principal purpose of the Act is “to assure that all children with disabilities have available to them ... a free appropriate public education which emphasizes special education and related services designed to meet the handicapped child’s unique needs, ... [and to ensure] that the rights of handicapped children and their parents or guardians are protected.” 20 U.S.C. § 1400(c).

To carry out these objectives, the IDEA provides procedural safeguards to permit parental involvement in all matters concerning the child’s educational program and allows parents to obtain administrative and judicial review of decisions they deem unsatisfactory or inappropriate. Honig v. Doe, 484 U.S. 305, 311-12, 108 S.Ct. 592, 597-98, 98 L.Ed.2d 686 (1988). Under this scheme of procedural protections, parents are entitled to 1) examination of all relevant records pertaining to evaluation and educational placement of their child, 2) prior written notice whenever the responsible educational agency proposes, or refuses, to change the child’s placement, 3) an opportunity to present complaints concerning any aspect of the local agency’s provision of a free appropriate public education, and 4) an opportunity for an “impartial due process hearing” with respect to any such complaints. Id. at 312, 108 S.Ct. at 598.

In the event that a party is dissatisfied with or aggrieved by the findings and decisions made after the impartial due process hearing, that party may obtain additional administrative review by the state educational agency. 20 U.S.C. § 1415(c). If that party is still dissatisfied or remains aggrieved after the administrative appeal, a judicial review is available in either state court or federal court to contest the decisions of the educational agency. Id. § 1415(e)(2).

“The philosophy of the [IDEA] is that plaintiffs are required to utilize the elaborate administrative scheme established by the [IDEA] before resorting to the courts to challenge the actions of the local school authorities.” Ass’n for Retarded Citizens of Alabama v. Teague, 830 F.2d 158, 160 (11th Cir.1987) (citing Smith v. Robinson, 468 U.S. 992, 104 S.Ct. 3457, 82 L.Ed.2d 746 (1984)). Key reasons for requiring the exhaustion of administrative remedies are as follows: 1) to[*1379] permit the exercise of agency discretion and expertise on issues requiring these characteristics; 2) to allow the full development of technical issues and a factual record prior to court review; 3) to prevent deliberate disregard and circumvention of agency procedures established by Congress; and 4) to avoid unnecessary judicial decisions by giving the agency the first opportunity to correct any error. Id.

The exhaustion requirement, however, is not jurisdictional and therefore “ ‘is not to be applied inflexibly.’” Id. (quoting McGee v. United States, 402 U.S. 479, 483, 91 S.Ct. 1565, 1568, 29 L.Ed.2d 47 (1971)). The exhaustion of the administrative remedies is not required where resort to administrative remedies would be 1) futile or 2) inadequate. Id. (citing to Smith v. Robinson, 468 U.S. at 1014 n. 17, 1019 n. 22, 104 S.Ct. at 3469 n. 17, 3472 n. 22).

In the amended complaint, plaintiff does not allege that she has exhausted her administrative remedies. Instead, plaintiff argues that exhaustion of administrative remedies is not required in this case because she no longer attends any of the defendant school districts. This argument was squarely rejected in Torrie By and Through Torrie v. Cwayna, 841 F.Supp. 1434 (W.D.Mich.1994). In that case, an emotionally impaired student and his mother brought an action against a school district and its employees for alleged violations of IDEA, Rehabilitation Act, false arrest and false imprisonment. The student and his mother neither requested an impartial due process hearing nor filed a complaint with the school district before filing the action. In responding to the school district’s motion to dismiss based on failure to exhaust administrative remedies, the plaintiffs argued that exhaustion was not required under the futility exception because they no longer lived in the defendant school district. Reasoning that parents’ unilateral act of removing their child from a public school could not excuse their failure to exhaust administrative remedies, the court dismissed the action for failure to exhaust remedies. Torrie, 841 F.Supp. at 1442. The rationale of Torrie is persuasive. If parents can bypass the exhaustion requirement of the IDEA by merely moving their child out of the defendant school district, the whole administrative scheme established by the IDEA would be rendered nugatory. Permitting parents to avoid the requirements of the IDEA through such a “back door” would not be consistent with the legislative intent of the IDEA.

The plaintiffs second argument is equally unpersuasive. The plaintiff argues there is no point pursuing administrative remedies because the defendant school districts lack authority to grant the relief requested, namely money damages. Again, if the plaintiffs argument is to be accepted, then future litigants could avoid the exhaustion requirement simply by asking for relief that administrative authorities could not grant. This goes against the very reason that we have the exhaustion requirement, which is “[to prevent] deliberate disregard and circumvention of agency procedures established by Congress.” Teague, 830 F.2d at 160. In fact, courts that considered this argument have all rejected it. See Buffolino v. Board of Education of Sachem Central School District, 729 F.Supp. 240, 247 (E.D.N.Y.1990); Waterman v. Marquette-Alger Intermediate School District, 739 F.Supp. 361, 368 (W.D.Mich.1990) (“A procedure that may result in any substantial relief is not futile”); Torrie, 841 F.Supp. at 1442.

Nor does the fact that the plaintiff also seeks money damages under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 for violations of the IDEA make any difference. “[W]hen parents choose to file suit under another law that protects the rights of handicapped children—and the suit could have been filed under the [IDEA]— they are first required to exhaust the [IDEA]’s remedies to the same extent as if the suit had been filed originally under the [IDEA]’s provisions.” Mrs. W. v. Tirozzi, 832 F.2d 748, 756 (2d Cir.1987). As the plaintiff has failed to exhaust administrative remedies, the plaintiff may not proceed with her § 1983 claims for violations of the IDEA.

[*1380] CONCLUSION

Accordingly, the defendants’ motion to dismiss (doc. 6) is GRANTED. The Clerk is directed to dismiss the first amended complaint with prejudice.