of this, from the School Board's viewpoint, is that if the court lacks jurisdiction, the School Board is left with a final decision of the Virginia Department of Education whose hearing officer, on May 28, 1983, in overturning the School Board's decision to expel, found that "Jerry's involvement in the sale of drugs was related to his handicapping condition." On the School Board's petition for review, that hearing officer's determination was upheld on July 25, 1983. The court concludes that it has jurisdiction. S-1 v. Turlington, 635 F.2d 342, 348 (5th Cir.1981).
Prior to the hearing officers' decisions the principal of Jerry's school, Rippon Middle School, had, because Jerry was a special education student, referred the matter to the Rippon Local Screening Committee (the Committee) to determine whether therewas a causal connection between Jerry's handicapping condition and his involvement in the sale of drugs. That Committee was composed of knowledgeable persons, including professionals, involved in the classification of handicapped children and the provision of special education services. It determined, on February 23, 1983, that there was no such causal relationship (Pl. ex. 51). That finding was concurred in by the Coordinator of the Secondary Learning Disability Program for the Prince William County schools (Pl. ex. 52). Jerry was suspended from school from February 18, 1983 through February 28, 1983 and placed on furlough, with his parents' consent, as of March 1, 1983. On February 26, 1983, the school principal had recommended that Jerry be expelled, and on March 16, 1983 a hearing was held on this