Why parents should worry about school

The Addison Eagle (Vermont) ^ | 6 March 2003 | Ron O'Neill

[SwinusMaximus]

Hi folks. I've been around for a while but I seldom post ... mostly because I'm always up to my ears in alligators. This one I couldn't pass up.

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.

[joesnuffy]

Back in the US back in the US back in the USSR boyze ....all your chilrens belong to us...
This is a load of pure evil.....public education ..at taxpayer expense..

[RAT Patrol]

We need more people like your brother in the world.

[Always Right]

Sounds like a story Bill O'Reilly could take off with.

[SwinusMaximus]

I know they're out there, but more often than not we're too busy making a living to get ultra involved. This is one that, as a parent, you just can't pass by.

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.

[dawn53]

Tell your brother to homeschool his kids, if he's really concerned.

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.

[SwinusMaximus]

>Sounds like a story Bill O'Reilly could take off with

Bless your heart ... hadn't thought of that :-)

[docmcb]

I want to keep track of this one.

[Slyfox]

A public school is not private property. A parent with a child in that school has a right to be there and should not have been arrested just because the principal felt like it. In the parent handbook, if they have one, I don't think there is anything that says anything about when a parent is not allowed at the school. And I bet there is nothing written which threatens arrest if a parent "trespasses".

I think your brother should get a lawyer and go after being wrongfully arrested.

[Blue Collar Christian]

Where are you, tough guy!

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

The conceit that government education is inherently above reproach is of a piece with the conceit that journalists are your betters, whose veracity and vision of the whole truth transcends your judgement.

[Blue Collar Christian]

"I think your brother should get a lawer and go after being wrongfully arrested."

To get what? A finacial compensation for stress and suffering?

I agree that the man was right to be there, and the principal and police acted wrongly, but taking public moneys to be compensated for being wronged by public employees is destructive. He should push for a public caning of the officials involved. I would pay an admission fee for that!

[keyd]

One more thing that makes me happy I pulled my kids out of public school.

This sounds like something that would happen in another country.

There should be public outrage over this, period.

[FourPeas]

A public school is not private property

That was my first thought. His tax dollars support that school. I'd guess a hungry lawyer would have the administration for lunch.

[SwinusMaximus]

>There should be public outrage over this, period

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.

[I'm ALL Right!]

My thoughts exactly! Contact Bill O'Reilly. He'll lay into them on national television. They'll be begging for mercy...

[SwinusMaximus]

>He'll lay into them on national television. They'll be begging for mercy...

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?

[longtermmemmory]

This is alarming. Parents unwelcome at their children's school?!!

For home school advocates. It may work you some but not for everyone. Some parent actually do need to have a formal school system for their children.

as a side note: The GLSEN people are now in stealth mode by not puting their name in the headlines of stories. This prevents them from being picked up by clipper services.

[Slyfox]

What does he get from going after them in court? The first thing is media exposure. The leftist hate to have the rocks lifted on their agenda. What else? He'd be setting a precedent as far as parents visiting their children are concerned. A parent at a school should have the very same respect by the administration at school as someone who complains about prayers being said in school.

[Mister Baredog]

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

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