Submitted by nina, Mar 30, 2007 10:28

I find it amazing that a man with Mr. Freston's resources would have the nerve to sue the NYC school system to recoup tuition costs that for him are pocket change. There is no "principle" at work here if he didn't even bother to visit the school recommended to him. The Lower Lab School for Gifted Children does not sound to me like a dumping ground for special ed kids. As the mother of an autistic child who has shelled out many thousands of dollars to therapists and others to help my son (who attends a suburban public school) I am appalled and disgusted by this rich-guy entitlement routine. If he disapproved of the recommended school for legitimate reasons, then he can talk about other options. And if he really gives a damn about anyone other than himself, how about giving his big "six figure gift" to a program to help poor parents with disabled kids find quality educational placements. Tom Freston strikes me as a self-centered big shot who thinks he's above following the rules others have to live with. Many of these cases against the City are filed by parents of significant means who can pay in whole or great part the costs of the educational choices they make. But they'd rather the public pay instead. Shame on all of them.

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