I am severely handicapped by Multiple Sclerosis. I have been working since January of this year to get permission for my children to carry their cell phones in school. My intention was to tell them to leave their phones in their lockers during the day, but they would have them for after school activities. I would be able to contact them in an emergency.
The school board repeatedly denied my request. To make matters worse, they would not give me the information I asked for regarding how I could appeal their decision. I did not know what the process involved. It took months to get that information.
It was not my first encounter with the local school board. About ten years ago, before I had MS, I was working. My son had attended a pre-school since he had been one year old. He loved the people there. I knew that beginning kindergarten would be a big change for him. Because I was working, I needed him picked up after school by the after-school care provider. I wanted him to stay where he had been. I felt it would be better for him. I spent my own money to go to a respected psychologist who confirmed my belief.
They ignored me then, too. One of the board members told me proudly after turning down my request that the board had turned down a mother who had asked that her child be permitted to attend a different elementary school than the one she was zoned for. She was willing to drive her child to school every morning so that she could walk to her grandmother's house right near the school at the end of the day.
If school boards can't respond to the needs of those who must use the system, how can they possibly respond to the challenges of modern education? I will admit that I have a very adversarial attitude when it comes to dealing with them, but it is no excuse for their callous behavior.
Some might think that I'm whining. I'm really not. I do believe that any time we can do a kindness for someone, we should. If a school board can make life easier for people without violating laws and antagonizing people, it should do so. We all should.
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