371 Mass. 896

Richard Johnson & others1 vs. School Committee of Brockton.

January 13, 1977.

For many years the School Committee of Brockton had authorized (see G. L. c. 71, § 37), and Brockton High School had provided, in the regular school day curriculum, a driver education course comprising classroom study and on-the-road training. In adopting its budget for the school year 1974-1975, the school committee voted by a majority to eliminate this course from the regular curriculum. Thereupon a group of parents of pupils at the school, acting in accordance with G. L. c. 71, § 13,2 requested that the course be restored, *897and when the school committee refused, the plaintiff parents brought an action of mandamus against the committee in the Superior Court, ultimately treated as an action for a declaratory judgment. The school committee demurred to the complaint, contending that, because of a supposed repugnancy between G. L. c. 71, § 13 and § 13D (regarding motor vehicle driver education), a course in driver education could not fall under § 13. The demurrer was sustained by a judge of the Superior Court, but on appeal the decision was reversed. Johnson v. School Comm. of Brockton, 368 Mass. 152 (1975). On remand to the Superior Court, the plaintiffs presented a motion for summary judgment. From the pleadings, an affidavit, and a stipulation of the parties,3 it appeared that, by authority of the school committee, the school was offering a driver course consisting only of classroom instruction; on-the-road training was offered separately, after regular school day hours (afternoons after school, evenings, Saturdays), with a tuition charge of $45 a pupil. The judge, holding that this was not a proper compliance by the school committee with § 13, entered judgment to the effect that the entire course, including on-the-road training, should be given within regular school day hours, and without tuition charge. We agree that in the circumstances of the case the parents’ request under § 13 was properly referable only to a course in the regular school day curriculum similar to the course long established at the school in that it must include on-the-road training as an integral part. The appropriate authorities determine the detailed content of the course. See G. L. c. 71, § 13D.

Ira L. Lipman, City Solicitor, for the School Committee of Brockton.

P. J. Piscitelli for the plaintiffs.

Judgment affirmed.

Johnson v. School Committee
371 Mass. 896

Case Details

Name
Johnson v. School Committee
Decision Date
Jan 13, 1977
Citations

371 Mass. 896

Jurisdiction
Massachusetts

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