I went to the county office of the judge yesterday to pick up paperwork. While I was there, the judge was milling around the office laughing behind the counter chit chatting with the county employees. I nodded and smiled at him and told the clerk I'd like to make an appointment to see the judge. She said, nobody can speak to the judge, unless it's in a courtroom setting. These are the same people that told me over the phone that I'd need to speak to the judge about paying for the class twice. Now suddenly, his highness is not to be spoken to? He was so cowardly he slunk around the corner into his office. He was just on the other side of a partition, so I made sure to speak my mind, very loudly for his benefit. I told them I was NOT going to pay twice and there seemed to be a lot of people freely tossing around his name and title to give themselves the appearance of authority. However, I had yet to hear it from the judge. I wanted him to look me in the eyes and justify paying for the class twice. I also wanted to visit about the quality of the so-called class. Of the 4 programs he works with - none even have websites, they are not searchable on Google, there are no letters after anyones name. I wanted to know what qualifications these people have to teach a court ordered class. The class I was assigned to, the stated address is an empty store front. We had to meet in a rented room at the rec center. I made my feelings clear on the fact that for a program that is supposed to benefit our children, it is taking food directly out of thier mouths and putting undo hardship on parents. The clerk had the nerve to say to me..."if your child had been in school you wouldn't be here." As though all is fair game now that I've put myself in this situation. Apparently I've given up my right to expect fairness or logic. She finally caved and said she'd look into it and call me back, but of course she wont. My next step is to write a letter to the judge. If he doesn't respond, I may have to give a copy of the letter to the media and let them investigate.
I wanted to add another unbelievable piece to this. Alot of people suggested chaging districts or homeschooling. He addressed that in court. He said we were all on 6 months probabtion and that if we pulled our kids, he wouldn't have any way of monitoring our probation - therefore, pulling our kids would mean we had violated probation. Yeah, you think this happens in backwoods places. DFW is one of the biggest metroplexes in the country.
This all seems so other world. You know things like this happen but you still can't believe it when you hear it.
Clearly a money grab. I wonder how many people get cuts and who is related to who.
You go girl.. Once you get the media into this, I promise , they are going to find all sorts of back door deals going on..
Heck I would have contacted them last week..
Texas is very strict when it comes to kids being in school. You already know this, so I won't go into that.
However, you shouldn't have to pay for the class twice if you're only attending once. That's ridiculous. I would go ahead an contact the media today. Make a huge stink about having to pay two times for a class you're only taking once. Make yourself loud and very public about that. He'll get the picture!
Wanted to add, if you haven't heard, here's the story: http://rt.com/usa/news/judge-student-school-tran-720/
Texas is serious.
T., I have been following your posts on this, and I am 100% on-board and in agreement with you that you SHOULD take this to the media. Use names, use all the details about what has happened to you, because this money-making SCAM needs to be brought to light. This is such a violation of justice, it makes my skin crawl. I have personally seen violent criminals treated far better than this.
PLEASE take this to the media. Keep fighting it. Get a lawyer if you can afford it. Don't let them get away with this, it just isn't right.
And continue to keep us posted.
Man, this has pissed me off to no end just reading your posts on this. I will keep my feelings about the state of Texas to myself since I know so many posters on this site live there (and anyway, I'm thinking of the state govt., not the residents) ... but I've gotta say, I love how you are handling this and I would absolutely keep at it. How about writing a letter to your local paper? Writing an editorial? Please keep us posted.
When they said "you have to talk to the judge" - they meant in court, with the prosecutor there - in open court.
Judges aren't allowed to have private chats with either side in a matter pending before them. It could affect their obligation to be impartial. That's why they told you - with him in the room - that you can't talk to him. You needed the prosecutor there to represent the city/school while you represented your side.
Well T., you sure do have guts, girl! I don't know if it will work or not, but you go girl!
Dawn
Bravo!!!!!! I am appalled by the flawed system you have to work with, but it's time someone stood up and you are doing a great job of it!
Woot-woot!!! You GO girl!
Yet another reason why my kids will never, ever be in public school. I don't care if it's Florida, Texas or Timbucktoo. Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.
I would consider going in with some other parents to hire a lawyer and withdraw the pleas.
I would also contact the public defender as well as the ACLU to see if they have any interest in the case.
And I would seriously consider joining HSLDA (hslda.org). They have staff attorneys to advise you on your homeschooling rights, even in light of this situation. This judge may not even be that familiar with Texas homeschooling laws (it has happened in the past and HSLDA intervened).
These county employees work for you! What complete and utter bull-****.
You go T....
Someone is pocketing a lot of $$ from this and since you are in the DFW area, you know how all the investigative reporters love uncovering a stink.
I'd email all 3 major network investigative reporters today. I bet they all 3 bite on this one.
I am not a person who is knowledgable is the legal aspect of this, but I am wondering if you can contact the states attorney, the district attorney, a governor, a mayor? I would say, if it was me...take it as far as you can. While I do understand making parents accountable, this is taking it way past making you accountable. From what you have posted, it sounds a little shady to me! Definitely go to the media..."the squeaky wheel gets the grease."' Just be prepared for any consequences if you!
I just read this today, and your So What Happened almost made me have a heart attack!!!!! So you are prisoners of "the system?"!!!! And people wonder why I am such a Libertarian!
If the dumb lady that was complaining about her kid getting the "mean" award got as much media attention as she did then I would think your case would be a real story.
Contact at least a few major news outlets and do it soon. Write down everything that happened and when you speak to them speak calmly but authoritatively. This whole "scam" is an injustice and it's being executed on the premise that the people being taken are losers who won't do anything and have no power. There is no way a prominent member of your community, school board member or judge would be hauled into court no matter how many days their kid was absent or tardy.
Have you looked in legal representation? Since it has the capacity to be high profile you might find someone to do it pro bono.
Don't give up!
