A single mother whose son was forbidden from taking the bus is teaming up with two local politicians to take on the Carle Place School District.
Madeleine Abbadessa says she felt ?powerless? when she was informed she would have to chauffeur her son to school due to a missed deadline. Abbadessa, a single mother working two jobs, suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. She claims health problems connected to the illness are the cause of the missed application deadline.
State education law says that no late request with a reasonable explanation can be denied. After appealing the bus decision, however, Abbadessa was told her excuse of surgery and health difficulties did not meet ?her burden of demonstrating a clear legal right to the relief requested.?
State Senator Carl Marcellino says he and Assemblyman Tom McKevitt are demanding the Abbadessa decision be changed.
"I'm outraged,? says Marcellino. ?I intend to get on the phone with the commissioner's office and we're going to make this thing right."
The bus already runs down the Abbadessas' street. Adding Matthew, the student, to the pick-up would not affect the district financially, according to the family.
For an interview with Madeleine Abbadessa, go to channel 612 on your digital iO cable box and select iO Extra.