Discrimination

[sense]

On 9/30/08 When I arrived with my child at the publicly funded educational institution he attends the director locked my child inside and locked me out, despite a written policy that every parent of any elementary or middle school child must be on the premises when their child is. She then initiated a complete lockdown of the school, despite knowing there was no danger, traumatizing children and parents who were arriving for classes. She called 911 and the police arrived. My crime? I'm not a christian. She had previously stated, in written form, that she has a personal grievance with me and was barring me from school. Against policy and law, of course. Any suggestions about how I could get some action on this outrageous behavior would be appreciated. The "cleansing" at the school will continue and I'm concerned about the remaining families.

[LWolf]

1. What kind of "publicly funded educational institution"

mandates that parents MUST "be on the premises when their child is?"

What did the law have to say when they arrived?

[sense]

2. Home Schooling Resource Center

The police refused to arrest me. I believe they quickly figured out there was no emergency. I didn't really defend myself as the director and her board were all yelling lies about me at the officers and I didn't want to escalate anything. My child and I were nearly passive observers as this played out.

I have no idea if it's legal for them to require that parents be on the premises, but that is their policy. They say it's not a "school" and they cannot be responsible for each child if something were to happen, so all parents must attend. Lots of parents would automatically attend because they homeschool on their own and their children just take occasional classes there. Kids don't spend all day there. They are generally there for one 1.5 hour class and then may come back on a different day of the week for a different short class.

We homeschool for academic reasons. My children are relatively "normal", not using the center because they are problematic.

[LWolf]

3. Each state handles homeschooling a little differently.

Is this a private homeschooling center that receives some public funding (outsourcing, so to speak,) or is it a county or district center?

I ask because it sounds like the director and her "board" are employed and/or empowered by a faith-based something, rather than a district, county, or state organization.

[sense]

4. Private Alternative

It's a publicly funded private alternative center. It gets it's funding through a local school district and is supposed to be secular. The board is supposed to be the Director's supervisor, but they're rubber stamping everything. I think I may have to get an atty. It does seem like she shouldn't be able to use the police dept. to intimidate me. Doesn't that seem like it would be a crime? The district who funds the center isn't interested in getting involved, although I think that would change immediately if I were to speak out publicly. I'm loathe to do that as I don't want the center to close. It's a very good idea, it's just being run by zealots at the moment.

[noamnety]

5. I would contact the National Lawyers Guild

or the ACLU before paying for an attorney, unless the money isn't an issue for you. I obviously don't know all the details, but what you wrote doesn't sound right.

At our school, if a parent is banned from the building the procedures we have to go through are sending a formal letter to the police department and a copy to the parent as well. The reasons have to be documented and have to relate to the parent being disruptive or not following rules, not just a spur of the moment decision that we don't like your religious beliefs.

I think the district who funds the center - and doesn't want to get involved - would probably change their mind if you called and said you were planning to retain a lawyer, but wanted to give them a chance to explain themselves and resolve the problem before you go that route. School districts can rarely afford lawsuits and that's a way you can get their attention without having to speak out publicly against the center.

[sense]

6. discrimination

Thanks for the advice. Money is always an issue. I'm sure the center is supposed to follow all the laws of the state and honor their contract, which would include a completely secular curriculum for every class they teach, but a new director took over in June and just started firing the best and most ethical employees and when I started asking why... well, I think that's what set them off. I have filed a complaint with the aclu, spoke to the state dept. of ed. and tried both districts again, that are supposed to handle this. I got some info for the dept of ed and tomorrow I'm trying with the district again. I think I will tell them that I will retain an atty. ( I can, it's just certainly wouldn't be my first option) and let the taxpayers know how their money is being spent. I've even thought about picketing.

They've expelled my son. No reason. Nothing. Just, don't come back or we'll have you all arrested. He's a good kid, doesn't even run in the halls! He's done nothing.

They did tell the officer who arrived at the school that I was always trying to fight with the employees and attn. seeking. Yikes. I'm an introvert. The last thing I want is attn. I like being left alone!

Sending out a new batch of letters tomorrow... stating that they serve as a formal complaint and asking for some action. We'll see.

[sense]

7. discrimination

Thanks for the advice. Money is always an issue. I'm sure the center is supposed to follow all the laws of the state and honor their contract, which would include a completely secular curriculum for every class they teach, but a new director took over in June and just started firing the best and most ethical employees and when I started asking why... well, I think that's what set them off. I have filed a complaint with the aclu, spoke to the state dept. of ed. and tried both districts again, that are supposed to handle this. I got some info for the dept of ed and tomorrow I'm trying with the district again. I think I will tell them that I will retain an atty. ( I can, it's just certainly wouldn't be my first option) and let the taxpayers know how their money is being spent. I've even thought about picketing.

They've expelled my son. No reason. Nothing. Just, don't come back or we'll have you all arrested. He's a good kid, doesn't even run in the halls! He's done nothing.

They did tell the officer who arrived at the school that I was always trying to fight with the employees and attn. seeking. Yikes. I'm an introvert. The last thing I want is attn. I like being left alone!

Sending out a new batch of letters tomorrow... stating that they serve as a formal complaint and asking for some action. We'll see.