Posted on 03/09/2003 12:10:59 PM PST by SwinusMaximus
Affairs at Middlebury Union High School seem to be getting out of control. As a parent of two MUHS students, I am concerned about what my children are learning and who they're learning it from when they head off for school every morning.
As if the MUHS Bread and Puppet fiasco of a few weeks ago wasn't bad enough, on March 5, The Eagle received several telephone calls from students at the school stating that a peace protest was going to be held in the cafeteria at 11 a.m. The Eagle's reporter, Jim Kelly, headed to the school to cover the protest but was turned away at the front door by an armed police officer who stated that no members of the news media were permitted to see the event.
Being the production manager at The Eagle, I heard about Jim being turned away, and was outraged. My daughters were in that school and I had no way of knowing whether there was anything a father should be concerned about. These are things I feel I shouldn't have to worry about while my children should be receiving an education. However, I really wanted to know if my children were being forced to participate in the protest, or if they were missing valuable class time because of it.
I left the office and headed to the school to get a first-hand look at the situation. I arrived at the school as the protest was underway in the cafeteria. I was met at the front door by the same armed officer who greeted Jim Kelly an hour earlier.
I, too, was told by the officer that no members of the media were allowed inside - the officer assumed I was there as a reporter. I was not. I was there as a parent.
I asked to speak to the principal and was told by the officer that he was busy. He directed me to the administration office and I waited while the officer looked for the principal. A few moments later, both Principal Lawson and the police officer returned to the office. I explained to Mr. Lawson that I was there to check on my children and make sure there was nothing going on that I needed to be concerned about. He assured me that everything was under control. After making sure that my children were not a part of the protest activity, I turned to leave and was escorted to the front door by the officer.
On my way out the front door, the students who were protesting filed out of the cafeteria, through the front door and into the bus circle. I held the door open for the students as they left the building to assemble in the circle.
Walking out with the students were several adults who I didn't recognize. One individual, a bearded man who appeared to be in his late 40s, was carrying what looked like a camera bag. I asked him if he was a teacher. He responded that he was "not answering any questions." There was also another individual, a woman, who I can only assume was a teacher, as well. She was organizing the students into a group photo opportunity. It struck me as an odd thing - teachers appeared to be leading this protest.
Principal Lawson came outside and told me I needed to leave. I asked him who the adult male was that was carrying the camera bag. He told me the man was a teacher. I wondered why teachers would be organizing such an activity during school hours.
Both Principal Lawson and the officer told me that if I didn't leave immediately, I would be arrested for trespassing. I calmly explained to the principal that, as a parent, I have every right to know what is going on at the school my children attend. He told me he didn't have to answer any of my questions and told me, again, to leave.
At this point, it was clear to me that there were things happening at MUHS that the teachers and administrators didn't want parents, the media, or the community-at-large to know about. This is a disturbing thing to think about. Our children are being exposed to these kinds of events (and tactics by the administration) without the consent of parents. After I repeated my question to the principal about the unidentified adults and what their involvement had to do with school curriculum, the police officer told me that if i didn't leave I would be put in handcuffs. I said "you'll just have to arrest me." And so he did.
I was forcefully placed up against the wall in front of the student protesters and led into the school resource officer's office to await a Middlebury Police car to haul me off to a holding cell downtown.
After being fingerprinted and photographed, I was written a citation and told to appear in the District Court of Vermont for an arraignment on April 21 for the charge of trespassing.
Is this any way to treat a concerned parent? What my children are exposed to in school is every bit my concern as much as what they are exposed to outside of school. It's my job as a parent to protect my children in whatever way I am able. If that means irritating a school administration, then so be it.
There was no reason that Principal Lawson could not have satisfactorily answered my questions and sent me on my way. Instead he chose to flex whatever muscle he could muster and remove me from school property.
March 5 was a sad day for the rights of parents in Vermont. I am sure that I am not the only parent who is concerned that my children are being exposed to what amounts sometimes to anti-American and far-left ideology at school.
I fear my children are being forced to listen to beliefs that are antithetical to long-held American values which are being expressed by some people who are supposed to be giving them a balanced education.
Ron O'Neill, a resident of Salisbury, is production manager/editorial correspondent at The Eagle. He was the owner of a graphic arts company in Florida and is a former Philadelphia police officer.
The author is my brother. Is he angry? You betcha!
He suspects the school board will call sometime soon and try to make nice but he's not having any of that. His "terms of surrender" are: (1) A formal public apology to him and the newspaper; (2) The teacher who wasn't "answering any questions" (Jeff Clark) to be reprimanded and forbidden from having any involvement with student government; (3) An assembly at the school of all students and teachers where he will read the Principal's apology and hopefully be able to present the other side of the argument.
He has been in contact with Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie who has expressed his interest in attending and presenting at the assembly should it come to pass. Mr Dubie flew missions over New York after the 11 September attacks as a pilot for the Air National Guard.
Any support you Vermonters can give to my kid brother would be greatly appreciated! Remember, these could be your kids, your local school, and YOU in handcuffs.
I'm planning to be in Vermont for either the apology or the hearing in District Court if I can swing it. Those are my nieces he's protecting, as well as other people's kids. I hope his stepping up to the plate will nudge some other parents into action.
My sister lives in Atlanta, and has never considered homeschool, UNTIL, she was informed that she was NOT allowed to pick up her kids in case there is an emergency involving terrorism.
Same thing happened near where I am after a non-specific bomb thread forced officials to evacuate all the schools. Parents were told there COULD NOT pick up their children from schools.
The schools have plans in the event of a terrorist alert, and it does not involve parent's getting custody of their own kids.
Bless your heart ... hadn't thought of that :-)
I think your brother should get a lawyer and go after being wrongfully arrested.
That was my first thought. His tax dollars support that school. I'd guess a hungry lawyer would have the administration for lunch.
It's starting to stir the pot up there, and, of course, I'm in with the biggest spoon I can find.
I just tried to get in touch with him to find out if he'd mind if I contacted O'Reilly and possibly got him in contact. He's out busy being a father with my nephew at a hockey game but should be home around 5EST. And since the Lt Gov is already in his corner I've never known a politician to refuse face time, particularly on something as blatant as this.
He's supposed to call me back in just over an hour. If he says yes, I already have the e-mail to O'Reilly ready to go.
Ain't technology great?
This is happening all over America. The schools are no longer responsive to anyone except labor unions and ACLU lawyers that want to do things like strip Christmas from the public schools.Parents? They have no political clout
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